Superman I & II: not all that

[EricNoah]

Ok, in preparation for Superman Returns, and as a supplement to my enjoyment of Smallville on TV, I recently watched the first two Superman films. I had vague recollections of enjoying them greatly as a kid.

Whoa. Disappointment.

The pace was glacial. The effects were cheesy. The villains were goofy. Margot Kidder ... wha?? Only Reeve's charasmatic performance lifted the films anywhere above "bleh" level.

Anyone care to comment?

 

[Desdichado]

I still like Terrence Stamp too, though.

But other than that, I agree with you; I don't think they're really that great.

 

[demiurge1138]

I think it's important to remember that we're now really spoiled when it comes to superhero movies. In the past couple of years, we've seen the X-men movies, the Spiderman movies, Batman Begins, even the Incredibles. Until recently, the best superhero movies out there were the Burton Batmans and the first two Superman movies.

And of course, nostalgia is powerful warper of perceptions...

Demiurge out.

 

[Henry]

Other than, "I agree," not much. It's like how I find it hard to watch 1930's through 1950's westerns nowadays, because of the so-many anachronistic elements present in so many. Now that I'm familiar with the real history, seeing High Noon gunfights and Colt Peacemakers in 1848 really bug me.

 

[barsoomcore]

Anyone care to comment?

I'm actually quite fond of the first film, but it IS quite cheesy. I like Kidder's Lois Lane, actually, and her moments in the first film are the truly memorable ones.

"What colour underwear am I wearing?"

"You've got me!? Who's got you!?"

And Christopher Reeve owns that part. He was great, hands down.

The second film has plot issues I have trouble with (loses superpowers, then WALKS to North Pole in a windbreaker), but again, I rather like Terence Stamp's bad guy. But it is deeply cheesy.

And the music is great. Lately John Williams has kind of sucked, but in the late 70's - early 80's he ruled. Jaws, Raiders, Star Wars and Superman -- those are some great soundtracks.

 

[barsoomcore]

Now that I'm familiar with the real history, seeing High Noon gunfights and Colt Peacemakers in 1848 really bug me.

High Noon? Come on. That's a classic. It doesn't have much in the way of gunfights, but holy tension. Gary Cooper + Grace Kelly = I will watch any day.

 

[Crothian]

Ya, some movies just don't hold up well over 20 years later.

 

[EricNoah]

I still like Terrence Stamp too, though.

Oh, he's not too bad, I'll agree with you there.

 

[Fast Learner]

"those are just my testes" isn't quite the same thing

I didn't care for either (any) of them back when they came out, much less now. I honestly don't get why folks dig them. I mean, different strokes and all that, and that's fine, but I remember thinking back then that they were lousy superhero movies. Maybe my imagination combined with years of reading comics set the bar too high, but I went in with "you will believe a man can fly" as a tagline, ready for something good, and came out thinking "the flying scenes sucked just as bad as the plot and the acting."

I know, it's heresy to say such things, but those are just my tastes, I suppose.

 

[Desdichado]

Gary Cooper + Grace Kelly = I will watch any day.

Same here. If someone found some footage of them sitting in a laundromat picking toe lint, I'd still watch it.