Superman is arguably the most recognizable and imitated character in comic books and superhero movie history. But he’s meant so much more to me during my nearly half-a-century on earth.
Superhero Movie Genesis
In 1978, when the first big budget Superman film released, I was smitten. Like many of my fellow children of the 1980’s, I really thought a man could fly after seeing (the late and great) Christopher Reeve take flight.
And he topped it off in Superman 2 (1980) when he went to hell-and-back before defeating the terrible trio of Non, Ursa and General Zod. The latter is still one of my favorite superhero movie villains ever.
But more fondly, I can still vividly remember going to the theater with my dad and brother decades ago, and being blown away. And the final act in the Fortress of Solitude, when he defeats Zod, still resonates.
Christopher Reeve
There have been several actors to depict the Man of Steel, but none match Christopher Reeve. He had the theater 🎭 background, the requisite height and physical presence, but most importantly, his comic timing and delivery as the alter ego Clark Kent often carry the Superman films.
May he Rest In Power! Christopher Reeve is missed, but will never be forgotten.
The Best of Us
Superman has always been an aspirational figure. He’s a combination of peak physical prowess, with a sharp moral compass to boot. As cheesy as this near-perfect Kryptonian may be, sometimes that’s all one needs or wants in a superhero.
Although I appreciate the somewhat tortured and more complicated version depicted in the Man of Steel (2013) movie, I’ll take the goody-two-shoes Clark Kent perfected by the late Reeve every day of the week.
Call me old-fashioned when it comes to the superhero most-associated with being old-fashioned, this side of Captain America. As even the darker Man of Steel flick illustrated, Kal-El is, and will always be, an Ideal of Hope.
