Superman: The Movie is not completely free of content concerns—there are some surprisingly suggestive moments for a PG-rated movie, as well as some language and peril. But this film adaptation also delivers the Man of Steel’s trademark brand of clean-cut heroism and moral integrity.
Above the shimmering skyline of the mega-metropolitan Metropolis soars something the city’s world-weary denizens have never seen: a hero. No, more than that—a superhero. And there’s no shortage of questions surrounding this so-called “Man of Steel.”
Where did he come from? (The destroyed alien world of Krypton, by way of rural Kansas town.)
What are his powers? (Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound … oh, and he can fly, too.)
What is his purpose? (To uphold truth, justice and the American way.)
Yes, this crimson-caped crime fighter is here to save the day, and not a moment too soon.
Lex Luthor is a criminal mastermind, willing to sacrifice millions of innocent lives to bring his dastardly schemes to fruition. Lex sees himself as more than an equal to this new hero, through mind and willpower if not physical strength, and he’s determined to prove it.
Metropolis could use some hope, as well.
Lois Lane is a relentless reporter for the Daily Planet who thinks she’s seen it all. But she’s never seen anything like this superhero, who’s as concerned about saving a cat from a tree as he is catching a falling helicopter. As her hayseed colleague Clark Kent might say, the guy sure seems “swell.”
The most powerful being on Planet Earth and a paragon of virtue?
Sounds like a job for Superman.
Superman is a hero, through and through, and we see him perform many valorous deeds throughout the film. In the span of a few minutes, he catches a falling helicopter, foils a robbery and prevents a plane crash. He saves the lives of countless people with his mighty (and very public) deeds, but he also performs many private acts of heroism, such as sending half his day job salary to support his widowed mother. He treats others—and even some of his adversaries—with kindness and respect. (He is “Midwest Nice,” after all.) Through it all, he never grows weary of doing good.
Jor-El, Superman’s Kryptonian father, goes to great lengths to save his son from their home world’s destruction, sending Superman to Earth to preserve his life. Even after his death, Jor-El supplies his son with knowledge and instruction. Additional paternal guidance comes from Jonathan Kent, Superman’s adoptive father on Earth, who teaches Superman to use his powers for the right reasons.
Speaking of the Kents, when the couple first finds a young Superman after he crash-lands on Earth, they have different, but equally positive reactions. Martha wants to adopt the toddler, while Jonathan’s first instinct is to help the boy find his parents. When it becomes clear that the child is not from their world, they give him a safe and loving home.
Someone saves Superman when he is enfeebled by kryptonite.
A fair number of Christian parallels could be drawn from the subtext of this Superman story. For example, we see a father from “the heavens” sending his only son to Earth to provide humanity “the light to show [them] the way.” Parents who want to use this film as a springboard to talk to their kids about the real Savior of humanity should find plenty to work with here.
Daily Planet editor-in-chief Perry White describes a potential dialogue with Superman as the “single most important interview since God talked to Moses” (itself a likely nod to the fact that Superman was created by Jewish immigrants Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, who used Moses as a partial inspiration for their hero). Jor-El also delivers something like a blessing over his infant son. Martha Kent says that she and Jonathan have prayed to the “Good Lord” to give them a child. Lois refers to Superman as a “god.”
Lex Luthor seems to paraphrase Psalm 115:5. Someone says that “confession is good for the soul.” A character wears a cross necklace. The head of a Buddha statue is visible in the background in one scene.
Although Superman: The Movie carries a PG rating, there are some suggestive scenes that parents will want to be aware of. During an interview, Superman and Lois Lane flirt, and their conversation contains some suggestive dialogue. Lois even asks Superman to use his X-ray vision to tell her what color underwear she’s wearing. Lois’ newspaper write-up from that interview leads with the headline “I Spent the Night with Superman,” which gives sensual implications to their otherwise chaste encounter.
Miss Teschmacher, Lex’s henchwoman, often wears revealing outfits. In one scene, she pretends to be unconscious following an accident. A group of men ogle her curves, and one man suggestively says he will “resuscitate” her. Later, Miss Teschmacher kisses Superman and laments her poor choice in men.
A man tenderly kisses a woman while mourning her death. A few women wear revealing outfits. One newspaper story is said to be about a “sex maniac.”
Superman saves scores of people through the film. So, as you would imagine, plenty of folks find themselves in peril. However, most of that action is not overly intense, as the Last Son of Krypton swoops in to save them with a charming quip and a smile.
Even so, a few intense moments in the film might upset sensitive younger viewers. A significant character is caught in an earthquake and dies—though this outcome is eventually (ahem) reversed. Scenes of Krypton’s demise involve people being crushed or falling to their deaths.
A helicopter spins out of control, and its tail rotor rips through a small structure, forcing bystanders to duck for cover. Lightning strikes a plane, destroying its engine and putting its passengers in danger. A missile finds its target and explodes. The effects of an earthquake nearly result in mass casualties.
We hear that Lex Luthor has killed several people to advance his latest scheme—and, if it succeeds, many more will die. He attacks his henchman, Otis, giving the man a black eye.
Jor-El tries to tell his peers of the danger facing Krypton. When they ignore his warnings, he says their doubts are tantamount to suicide and genocide.
A man has a heart attack and dies. A mugger tries to rob a pair of characters at gunpoint. Cops and criminals exchange gunfire. People fall from buildings. Cars crash. A planet explodes.
We hear a mother slap a young girl. A woman says she’ll be “rapped in the mouth” for asking a question.
Superman: The Movie contains one use of “bulls—.” God’s name is misused five times and there are six instances of “h—.” Additionally, we hear “d—” and “a–,” as well as milder interjections such as “darn” and “heck.”
A few characters smoke and drink. Superman is offered an alcoholic beverage, but he declines. Reference is made to “smoking cars” on a train.
Upon hearing a fellow officer’s description of Superman, a police officer assumes he’s drunk. When that policeman soon sees evidence of the superhero’s deeds firsthand, he tells his friend that the “first drink will be on [him]” at the bar.
When the Kents first discover the young Superman after his crash landing, he is naked. (While the toddler’s nudity is brief, nothing is obscured.) Lois is a career woman, and she’s dismissive of the traditional family ideal involving marriage and children. When she hears that Superman seeks to uphold “truth, justice and the American way,” she makes a cynical joke about political corruption.
A Black character is portrayed with a problematic stereotype. The “ethnic angle” is discussed in relation to a newspaper story. A thief tries to steal fruit from a street vendor.
Jor-El puts a trio of villains (who factor heavily into this movie’s sequel) on trial before banishing them to an interdimensional prison.
Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s … well, you know.
Richard Donner’s 1978 movie adaptation of the Man of Steel was met with critical acclaim and commercial success, and it’s easy to see why. Christopher Reeve is perfectly suited to play Superman, hitting the right notes for both a virtuous superhero and his nebbish alter ego. Acting luminaries Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman are flanked by skilled players who fill their respective roles well. And that John Williams score! (There’s a reason why that music was reused in the marketing for James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film.)
And while I felt at times that the story was a bit disjointed and the special effects didn’t hold up quite as well as the movie’s 1970s cinema peers like Star Wars or Close Encounters of the Third Kind, there is a lot to like here. Not least of which is the main character’s clean-cut heroism and moral integrity.
Some may think it cheesy, but I found the unabashed sincerity and goodness of the character’s presentation to be refreshing, especially considering that much of the modern superhero genre is either exceedingly winking or cynical (or both).
Superman is an aspirational figure. He’s super in both his physical gifts and personal character. And, critically, not all of what makes him so super came from Krypton: Much of the hero we know was formed in a small, Midwestern town in the care of two loving, supportive parents.
That said, Superman: The Movie is not completely free of content concerns. Some surprisingly suggestive moments pop up throughout the film, as well as some language and peril. Parents will have to decide what is right for their families. But I imagine many wouldn’t mind if their kids looked up to a Superman like this one.
Bret loves a good story—be it a movie, show, or video game—and enjoys geeking out about things like plot and story structure. He has a blast reading and writing fiction and has penned several short stories and screenplays. He and his wife love to kayak the many beautiful Colorado lakes with their dog.
