Whereas Christopher Reeve was not the primary actor to play Clark Kent/Superman in a bit of live-action leisure, nor was he the final, he arguably stays the definitive Superman actor, owing to how effectively he embodied the position. In fact, his bodily presence lined up neatly with how the long-lasting superhero had usually been portrayed earlier than the Nineteen Seventies, and because of taking part in him 4 instances between 1978 and 1987, it’s fairly straightforward to image Reeve when pondering of Superman. In fact, his movie roles outdoors the superhero style had been additionally noteworthy, as was the work he did as a incapacity activist following a 1995 horse-riding accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down (a lot of that being lined within the 2024 documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story).
Reeve sadly handed away in 2004, however his legacy speaks for itself, owing to what he did as an actor and what he achieved as an activist. To give attention to the position that made him a star, although – and, admittedly, the one he’ll at all times be greatest recognized for – listed here are his 4 Superman motion pictures, assessed beneath and beginning with the less-than-great earlier than ending with the best. Even when a few the movies had been lesser in high quality, Reeve at all times embodied the position, and his work within the position contributed immensely to the promise made by the primary Superman’s iconic tagline: “You’ll believe a man can fly.” Relating to Reeve, individuals did, and nonetheless do.
4 ‘Superman IV: The Quest for Peace’ (1987)
Directed by Sidney J. Furie
Earlier than getting too destructive, Christopher Reeve wasn’t one of many issues that made Superman IV: The Quest for Peace terrible, and his appearing profession between this film’s launch and his accident did showcase his vary. Plus, the film was unhealthy sufficient that it might’ve killed the career of a lesser actor, whereas Reeve shone taking part in roles in surprising/very totally different motion pictures, like 1992’s Noises Off and 1993’s The Stays of the Day. And hey, Gene Hackman’s career didn’t die after showing in The Quest for Peace, so good for him, too (it got here out simply 5 years earlier than he received an Oscar for Unforgiven).
Okay. Sufficient procrastinating on the truth-telling. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace feels offensively unhealthy, in so some ways. It’s bought the cheap feel of a B-movie with none of the attraction, and fails to ship something by the use of entertaining particular results, narrative beats, or action scenes. It’s a schlocky slog of a movie, with execs like Reeve and Hackman solely in a position to take action a lot with the woeful screenplay they’ve been offered. The Quest for Peace is on the nostril in the worst of ways, trudging by the motions for what appears like a studio-mandated 90 minutes (it’s precisely 90 minutes) earlier than mercifully ending. The opposite three Superman motion pictures starring Christopher Reeve all have, on the very least, redeeming qualities, whereas The Quest for Peace is greatest averted, irrespective of how a lot you suppose you want The Man of Metal.
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
The Man of Metal crusades for nuclear disarmament and meets Lex Luthor’s newest creation, Nuclear Man.
- Launch Date
- July 24, 1987
- Director
- Sidney J. Furie
- Runtime
- 90 minutes
3 ‘Superman III’ (1983)
Directed by Richard Lester
Richard Lester directed two Superman motion pictures, or it is perhaps extra correct to say he directed one and a half (it’s complicated). Both means, the one which noticed him with probably the most inventive management was definitely Superman III, which has a broadly comedic tone all through that scratches an analogous itch to the kinds of anarchic comedies Lester directed with The Beatles (specifically, A Onerous Day’s Evening and Assist!). There was a specific amount of camp to be discovered within the two earlier Superman motion pictures, but in addition, these prior motion pictures didn’t have Pryor in them. Unsurprisingly, Richard Pryor is an enormous motive why Superman III is so broadly comedic.
His inclusion is perhaps controversial, however having him there does create one thing of an attention-grabbing dynamic, making Superman III nearly like an odd couple-style comedy, however with superpowers (and minus Gene Wilder, who Richard Pryor often collaborated with). Additionally, Superman goes evil at one point, owing to the unusual plot right here, and that stuff is genuinely fairly entertaining, each for the spectacle it affords and for the very foolish humor. Superman III doesn’t take itself significantly in any respect, and those that really feel it’s making enjoyable of Superman as a personality would possibly effectively label it the worst of the Reeve-starring Superman motion pictures. However, if you may get on board with one thing that’s extra of a comedy than a simple motion/journey flick, there’s a risk of discovering enjoyment in Superman III.
Superman III
- Launch Date
- June 17, 1983
- Director
- Richard Lester
- Solid
- Christopher Reeve , Richard Pryor , Jackie Cooper , Marc McClure , Annette O’Toole , Annie Ross
- Runtime
- 125
2 ‘Superman II’ (1980)
Directed by Richard Lester
These days, probably the most well-known film to have a number of cuts whereas additionally that includes Superman, as a personality, might be Justice League (2017)/Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021), however about 40 years earlier, Superman II confronted related drama. Richard Donner was the director of Superman II at first, which made sense, contemplating the great job he did with the first movie, however he was changed in the course of the movie’s manufacturing. Richard Lester, the aforementioned director of Superman III, stepped in, and is taken into account the director of the theatrical lower of Superman II… however there additionally exists a re-edit (once more, Zack Snyder’s Justice League-style) that represents his imaginative and prescient extra carefully, launched in 2006 and dubbed Superman II: The Richard Donner Reduce.
No matter which lower you decide, it’s higher than Superman III and IV, however inferior to the primary film, although some will say the Donner version comes close. What must be emphasised is that, both means, Superman II is a very strong sequel that satisfies in an analogous option to the primary film. There’s a bit extra motion and spectacle right here, issues get ever so barely darker (definitely not overly so), and Terence Stamp certainly shines as General Zod, after showing within the first film however then inevitably making extra of an influence right here, with a beefed-up position. Superman II is an excellent superhero film that teeters on the point of greatness. It won’t exceed the primary, however it doesn’t disappoint compared, both, and that’s bought to rely for one thing.
Superman II
- Director
- Richard Lester
- Runtime
- 127 Minutes
1 ‘Superman’ (1978)
Directed by Richard Donner
Superman was clearly a star-making position for Christopher Reeve. He’d achieved some stage appearing earlier than 1978, and appeared in a single different film – known as Grey Girl Down – that got here out earlier than Superman, however this was the movie that made him a star. In fact, there have been quite a few different gifted actors concerned right here, with Gene Hackman playing perhaps the best Lex Luthor so far, Margot Kidder being a wonderful Lois Lane, and Marlon Brando proving to be a commanding presence, even with a reasonably small position general. Superman introduced the titular hero to the large display screen in model after which some, standing as an early superhero blockbuster that paved the best way for numerous others to comply with – and succeed – in subsequent many years.
When watched now, Superman (1978) feels quaint and quite simple, however not in a means that weighs the movie down in any respect. If something, it’s refreshing to observe these days and see a superhero film that’s action-packed and thrilling, however with out many battle scenes. Superman, in this film, is a good-hearted hero, and more often than not, he’s targeted on saving individuals and stopping evil schemes with out resorting to beating individuals up consistently. It’s simply an oddly healthful film, particularly in comparison with among the darker and grittier (albeit typically fairly good) superhero movies which were extra in style in latest many years. Superman is old school and charming in the most effective of how, with a stage of affection for the titular hero that’s fairly infectious. Oh, and iconic music, too, obviously. It’s a winner in each means, and positively the most effective of all of the Christopher Reeve-starring Superman movies.
Superman
An alien orphan is shipped from his dying planet to Earth, the place he grows as much as turn into his adoptive dwelling’s first and biggest superhero.
- Launch Date
- December 13, 1978
- Runtime
- 143 Minutes