Before I say anything: John Williams’ score is as fantastic as any masterpiece of symphonic music. Especially the “Love Theme” and the opening “Krypton Theme.” There, I said it. Now — this movie’s first half is iconic, epic and fun. He’s hugging his mother in a corn field, he’s telling Lois Lane he stands for Truth, Justice and the American Way. There’s just enough tongue-in-cheek to keep you from rolling your eyes, but everyone believes every word. Then, in the second half, the movie gets far to specific with Lex Luthor’s plot to destroy California. Hey — I guess the movie had to have some plot eventually. But when the plot comes in, the film switches into low gear and begins, ever so slightly, to suck. No blame to Gene Hackman’s gaudy performance. (All the performances are great, esp. Margot Kidder.) If I wanted to be one of those guys, I could point out plot holes and inconsistencies of logic, but, shit, it is Superman, yknow? Anyway, it was great to see this for the first time in 10 (15? 20?) years.
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Welcome
Jordan Hoffman is a New York-based writer and film critic working for The Guardian, Vanity Fair, Thrillist, Times of Israel, NY Daily News and elsewhere.
He is the host of ENGAGE: The Official Star Trek Podcast, a member of the New York Film Critics Circle and challenges you to a game of backgammon.
Don’t forget the dead-on song placement of Supertramp’s “Give a Little Bit” as Clark entered the old Daily News building on East 42nd Street — perfect summer feel established. I remember seeing that movie at the time, and that one moment really felt right. Much like the use of Talking Heads “Naive Melody (This Must Be the Place)” in Stone’s Wall Street did the same for summer in NYC in the 80s.
What I’m looking for is the MP3 of the “pop version” of Margot Kidder’s monologue “Can you read my mind?” It features the lovely couplet: You can fly/You belong in the sky. It is on the bonus DVD.