Before shared universes or advanced CGI, Superman: The Movie made the world believe a man could fly. With Christopher Reeve in the lead role, the film captures the pure essence of Superman: a symbol of hope, kindness, and unwavering courage. His journey from Krypton to Smallville and finally to Metropolis is told with grandeur, setting the standard for all superhero films that followed.
Christopher Reeve’s Superman faces his greatest dilemma: choosing between his love for Lois Lane and his duty to protect humanity. Meanwhile, the formidable General Zod and his Kryptonian allies arrive on Earth to claim it as their own. The iconic battle in Metropolis and Superman’s vulnerability make this one of the most memorable films in the hero’s history.
In this third installment, Superman faces a different kind of challenge: the corruption of his own soul. Exposed to synthetic Kryptonite, he undergoes a dark transformation, leading to fascinating moments like the symbolic battle between his evil and heroic sides. Despite its more comedic tone and the presence of Richard Pryor, the film offers a glimpse of a flawed, tormented Superman.
Superman decides to intervene in the real world and put an end to nuclear threats, but his attempt to bring peace to humanity has unexpected consequences. With a limited budget and troubled execution, the film failed to make the impact it aimed for, yet it retains the hero’s idealistic spirit and his unwavering belief that humanity can be better.
After years away, Superman returns to Earth only to find a world that has moved on without him. Brandon Routh dons the cape in a performance that pays homage to Christopher Reeve, while the story explores the loneliness and sacrifice of the Last Son of Krypton. With stunning visuals and a melancholic tone, the film attempts to recapture the character’s classic grandeur.