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Superman
Metascore
88 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    Superman is a pure delight, a wondrous combination of all the old-fashioned things we never really get tired of: adventure and romance, heroes and villains, earthshaking special effects, and -- you know what else? Wit.
  2. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Jay Scott
    100
    Estimates of the movie's costs range between $35-and $70-million; whatever the price, it was not too much to pay. As gods go, Superman is one of the godliest; his movie is one of the best.
  3. Empire
    Reviewed by: Chris Hewitt
    100
    It hits the characters, feel and look of the comic spot on, especially Reeve in the title role.
  4. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marjorie Baumgarten
    100
    Boasts a smart screenplay by Robert Benton and David and Leslie Newman, striking cinematography by Geoffrey Unsworth (especially in the Smallville sequence), bright comic turns by Margot Kidder and Gene Hackman, and of course, that winning performance by Christopher Reeve in the title role. Believe a man can fly? You bet!
  5. Dallas Observer
    Reviewed by: Luke Y. Thompson
    100
    If not the best superhero movie ever, it's definitely in the top 3. Reeve will forever be Superman to most of us.
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  6. Variety
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not credited)
    100
    Magnify James Bond's extraordinary physical powers while curbing his sex drive and you have the essence of Superman, a wonderful, chuckling, preposterously exciting fantasy.
  7. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Keith Phipps
    90
    Effective both as Superman and as the bumbling Clark Kent, Christopher Reeve still seems ideal for the part.
  8. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    88
    There's no doubt that it's a flawed movie, but it's one of the most wonderfully entertaining flawed movies made.
  9. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Judith Martin
    80
    it's the simple, earth-bound quality of the film that makes this comic-book fantasy soar.
  10. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Vincent Canby
    70
    Superman is good, clean, simple-minded fun, though it's a movie whose limited appeal is built in.
  11. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Dave Kehr
    70
    The film is best when it takes itself seriously, worst when it takes the easy way out into giggly camp--as it does, finally and fatally, when Lex Luthor enters the action; Gene Hackman plays the arch-villain like a hairdresser left over from a TV skit.
  12. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not credited)
    60
    The film burdens itself with too many story lines and an overlong (though beautifully photographed) prologue, but things really get moving when Reeve takes the screen.
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User Reviews

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User Score
7.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 64 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 23
  3. Negative: 2 out of 23
  1. grandpajoe6191
    8
    Do you people know how comic book adapted movies started out? Uh Huh. "Superman" started it all, and guess what; it was marvelous.
  2. DS
    10
    Looks like somebody got bored and decided to trash a classic film. Yeah it seems a bit dated now, but it's a great great movie. Supes is in need of a reboot.… Full Review »
  3. GregM
    10
    There have been other actors before christopher reeve that played the part of superman but he made the character of clark kent and superman come to life.… Full Review »
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