SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE (1978) Movie Reaction! | First Time Watch! | Christopher Reeve | Gene Hackman

The hosts unanimously praise Christopher Reeve for his distinct and charismatic portrayal of both the bumbling, mild-mannered Clark Kent and the confident, heroic Superman. They note his ability to embody two completely different characters with unique physicality and vocal affectations, making it believable that no one would connect the two.

The host states, "Christopher Reeve is the most charismatic Superman." Another adds, "He really understood the assignment when he's like, 'Let's make them complete polar opposites. No one will ever know.'" They highlight his 'little like tiny nods' and how his 'glasses came off and he like straightened up' as key to the transformation.

The film's use of practical effects, miniatures, and intricate set design is lauded as a masterclass, particularly for Krypton, the Fortress of Solitude, and various disaster sequences. The hosts are impressed by how well these effects hold up decades later, influencing subsequent superhero films.

One host exclaims, "God, the effects are so good." Another notes, "They did this all with like practical set design and carpentry and hard work." They specifically mention Krypton's 'crystalline structure' as defining its image for future adaptations and praise Lex Luthor's 'underground layer' as 'perfect with the train station.'

The hosts find Lex Luthor's master plan to trigger the San Andreas Fault and create new beachfront property in the desert to be a uniquely diabolical and memorable motivation, contrasting with more generic villainous goals.

The hosts react to Luthor's plan: "What is this obsession with real estate all the time? Land, land, land." They comment on his vision of "making the desert worthwhile" and creating "New beachfront" property, highlighting the specificity of his scheme.

The hosts are surprised by Superman's ability to reverse time by flying around the Earth, noting it as a significant power not commonly associated with modern depictions. They contrast the film's earnest, problem-solving approach to this crisis with how a modern Superman might seek revenge.

Upon seeing Superman reverse time, a host exclaims, "This is crazy. I didn't know he could do this." They later compare it to modern takes: "A Superman in a modern depiction would have gone straight to Lex Luthor for like I'm here for revenge... He's just like, I'm gonna fly so fast that the Earth spins backwards and time goes in reverse."