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There’s a fine line between a Superman fan and a Superman snob.
Not every Superman movie is equal, and justice should be served in your superhero-viewing habits.
This hung in the author’s bedroom for most of his childhood.
Sure, it was all wires, projection screens, miniatures, slo-mo, and sped-up filming.
It’s a true comic-book film that somehow avoids being two-dimensional and completely hokey.
Much of that comes down to Reeve’s performance.
This hung in the author’s bedroom for most of his childhood.
It has action, danger, a love story, and even comedy.
That’s a lot for one movie, and yet it works completely.
It’s required viewing to assess anyone else’s take on the Man of Steel.
But there’s no need for that.
Your next stop on the Superman movie tour isSuperman II(Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime).
Donner was replaced by Richard Lester, who had a penchant for slapstick.
However, if you’re hungry for more, let me steer you to my next recommendation.
I swear only Christopher Reeve could’ve pulled that off and somehow made it believable.
Unfortunately, the rest of the film has Director Richard Lester’s keystone cops sensibility all over it.
In other words, skip this Superman flight.
Christopher Reeve didn’t want to be there, and it shows.
Half of one or all of the other
Here, we reach a fork in the road.
At issue is its slavish devotion to the source material, specificallySuperman: The Movie.
Even Brandon Routh, who does a fine job as the title character, sounds weirdly like Christopher Reeve.
How can we do it bigger?").
I’ll point you to the closeup of a bullet bouncing off Superman’s eye.
It’s more gross than spectacular.
A manner of steel
Zack Snyder’sMan of Steelcan be credited with dragging Superman into the 21st Century.
Man of Steelpresents a modern, though incredibly dour, Superman.
All that said, I love the first half of this movie.
Henry Cavill looks and feels the part.
He’s an expert at conveying heroic optimism and super-powered rage, sometimes within one scene.
The movie is dark almost gray making much of it feel flat and uninspired.
Things devolve when Superman battles Zod and carelessly destroys Metropolis.
It’s not just what they did; it’s how Snyder shot it.
The action is unwatchable because it’s indecipherable.
So watch the first half and then, perhaps, switch to…
Oh dear.
Gunn’s film could go either way.
On the other hand, the beat-up and bloodied Superman calling for his help is instantly compelling.
Imagine if, a year from now, this is the Superman movie I recommend you watch first.
Remember, if you want to watch any of these films, check out some of ourbest streaming services.
