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Is this Still considered the Definitive film?

posted 4 years ago by Lucia2016 (647)
45 replies | jump to latest

I mean in my head this was always the benchmark and the ones made after were flops, even the marvel films maybe popular but they're not in the same league as this

But skimming through the comments and seeing a lot of posts making digs at this film i have a strange instinct that we now live in a world where people have grown up watching the last 15 years worth of these films and now look back at Superman 1 as some kind of silent movie

Look the elements
Mario Puzo- writer of widely regarded the greatest movie ever made
Marlon Brando- Greatest actor of all time
Gene Hackman- Top 5 Top 10 all timer easily
John Williams- one of the most iconic scores ever written
Richard Donner- Wasn't a yes man and fought the producers

I may be preaching to the choir but just thought i would point out the obvious

[–] chilidoggg (14603) 4 years ago

My dad took us to see Superman only because Marlon Brando was in it, and he was pissed that he was only 10 minutes or whatever.

Same thing with Star Wars and Alec Guiness.

[–] bozo_500 (13392) 4 years ago

STM is a proper 70s Hollywood 'movie' like The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, Jaws, Close Encounters, Star Wars, etc

The current Superman/DC films, MCU, etc are like CGI theme park rides in comparison

[–] Lucia2016 (647) 4 years ago

Where do people stand on Batman?

Personally i prefer the Burton ones but feel that's a very unpopular opinion

I found the Nolan ones a bit boring and iv'e never been compelled to watch them since the cinema

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

I like the first Burton Batman with the Joker, but not the second, and not the other two that came after.

Of the newer movies, I like TDK of Nolan's trilogy but not the others.

[–] bozo_500 (13392) 4 years ago

Batman89 is pretty much in the same league as STM as the definitive movie

the Nolan ones are quite boring but undeniably epic/well made/adult (well BB/TDK anyway)

[–] Kowalski (79132) 4 years ago

NO...THE REEVE SUPERMAN FLICKS ARE TERRIBLE...GROWING UP WITH THEM COLORS THEM VERY DIFFERENTLY FOR MANY PEOPLE.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

To me, Christopher Reeve is THE iconic Superman, probably because he's the first one I saw at the movies.

[–] Kowalski (79132) 4 years ago

FUNNY STORY...I NEVER SAW THE SUPERMAN MOVIES AS A KID...DIDNT SEE THEM UNTIL I WAS IN MY 20S...THE MAN I THINK OF WHEN I HEAD SUPERMAN IS....DEAN CAIN😣...LOIS & CLARK WAS A BIG DEAL ON TV DURING MY CHILDHOOW...SO EVEN THOUGH I NEVER WATCHED THE SHOW...DEAN CAIN IS MY SUPERMAN.🤨

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

That show was OK, but turned silly later on, especially with an "awakened Nazi plot" in the last or so season.

The thing is, "The New Adventures of Superman" (as it was known in the UK) was usually introduced as part of a major Saturday night BBC show in the 1990s hosted by Noel Edmonds (a big entertainer of the time) taking place in a studio set disguised as a posh estate called Crinkley Bottom... and most infamously featuring a pink monstrosity called Mr. Blobby. It seems the two shows are inextricably linked in the UK.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Superman The Movie has a great beginning and a great origin story... but it all falls flat once Lex Luthor and his gormless minion Otis are revealed, especially their lair and their stupid plans... and the less said about Superman reversing the Earth's rotation to reverse time, the better.

I consider Superman 2 with General Zod and his acolytes to be better in every way, and I even have a soft spot for Superman 3, but the rest can go to hell as far as I'm concerned.

[–] strntz (12773) 4 years ago

Of the Chris Reeve Supes, I prefer II as well.

[–] Lucia2016 (647) 4 years ago

Dean Cain lol i remember that as well i might have been 10-11 but the early ones weren't actually that bad from what i remember. He had the suit minus the S that his mum made him.

[–] bozo_500 (13392) 4 years ago

at the time II was seen as superior ..but now its kind of obvious STM is the classic movie deal.. (i still prefer II tho)

[–] trevorh321 (5495) 4 years ago

I think that's when it picks up. I love Otis and the way Lex is portrayed. Superman 2, in many ways, bored me. Even as a kid. I was pleasantly surprised with the Donner cut.
Superman the Movie is the definitive superhero film. No other film even comes close.

[–] moviefanatic505 (6357) 4 years ago

It will always have a place in cinema for pioneering the superhero genre. It pioneered so much while are the same time being a great ambitious film on it's own. Reeve is the Definitive Superman, John Williams score iconic, the fact that it has so many locations is awesome. It has Krypton, the farm, Metropolis, the rooftop of Lois's apartment and Lex's Lair. All shot well with solid cinematography. Most other superhero films do not have that many standout locations that pop out. Most of the time the locations and aesthetics run into each other. Kidder and Reeve had great chemistry, Gene Hackman's Lex while campy is definitely memorable as well as humorous.

This movie balances humor, heart and lightheartedness better than most. None of the comedic elements detract from the drama. The dramatic moments are well placed and profound. It covers so much ground and never drags. The only flaw is the deus ex machina ending of turning time backwards. However since everything else is such a slam dunk it is easy to forgive it. Is it dated in areas? Absolutely but in the end it gets right the fundamentals. The fundamentals of writing, characters, acting, music and chemistry among the cast. I would rather watch this a thousand times over Man of Steel or 90% of superhero films made today.

[–] bozo_500 (13392) 4 years ago

great response. totally agree

[–] moviechatterer (16326) 4 years ago

I thought the part where he lifted California up on his shoulders was as silly , if not more so , than the spinny time thing.

[–] SteveG (1370) 4 years ago

Well that’s a pretty subjective question but for me the answer is yes it just felt the most authentic and genuine and still does.

[–] HelpMeRhonda (1158) 4 years ago

It depends on what people are looking for a in a superhero movie. I could see people saying Dark Knight, if they like the serious route. To me, if you want a movie that feels like a comic book, Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man are definitive.

[–] R_Kane (15828) 4 years ago

Tell me: since when was Superman II, with the Titanic battle between Kal-El and General Zod (as in, “General, do you care to step outside?”) a flop?