Rotten
Superman doesn't have enough conviction or courage to be solidly square and dumb; it keeps pushing smarmy big emotions at us -- but half-heartedly.
Pauline Kael, New Yorker
Superman
You'll believe a man can fly.
1978 · 2h 24m · PG
Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Directed by
Richard Donner
Overview
Mild-mannered Clark Kent works as a reporter at the Daily Planet alongside his crush, Lois Lane. Clark must summon his superhero alter-ego when the nefarious Lex Luthor launches a plan to take over the world.
Director and cast
- Richard Donner Director
- Christopher Reeve as Superman / Clark Kent
- Margot Kidder as Lois Lane
- Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor
- Marlon Brando as Jor-El
- Ned Beatty as Otis
- Jackie Cooper as Perry White
- Glenn Ford as Jonathan Kent
- Trevor Howard as 1st Elder (uncredited)
- Jack O'Halloran Cast
- Valerie Perrine Cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
88%
Tomatometer
Fresh
It's the simple, earth-bound quality of the film that makes this comic-book fantasy soar.
Judith Martin, Washington Post
Rotten
The film is best when it takes itself seriously, worst when it takes the easy way out in giggly camp -- as it does, finally and fatally, when Lex Luthor enters the action.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Fresh
By keeping the spectacular possibilities open, through the opening scenes of the destruction of Krypton, and the subsequent growth to manhood of the planet's only son on the plains of the Midwest, the film allows naivete and knowingness to coexist.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Fresh
Superman is good, clean, simple-minded fun...
Vincent Canby, New York Times
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