Superman the Movie

The last son of Krypton, Kal-El is sent to Earth in a capsule before his homeworld's destruction. There he is raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent in the Midwest as Clark Kent. As an adult, he works as a reporter for the Daily Planet, a newspaper in Metropolis, with Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen. He tries to blend in, but people need help, and when the evil Lex Luthor hatches a plot to kill millions, Clark may be the only one who can stop him. Some know him as Clark Kent . . . the world knows him as Superman.

It was fun to watch this 1978 film with my boys; It had been so long I remembered only snippets. The movie is definitely a product of its time, with dated special effects, some corny dialogue, and caricatures (of hero and villain alike) that distract from the good components. I think that it tries to be too much, mashing romance, humor, adventure, and philosophical exploration (into responsibility, power, limits, and so on) into an experience that at once felt rushed and overlong. Even so, it is an iconic film, has memorable moments, has timeless music, and touches on important themes, so I'll rate it generously.

Rating: B-