I was four years old when Superman: The Movie came out. It's the first movie that I have an actual memory of going to see at the theater and I've always had a special place in my heart for it. (Though I could do without Otis, lol.)

 

It was the first movie, that I remember, that my father and I saw together. Just the two of us. A terrific bonding event as I was just 12 years old at the time the movie was released.

We stood outside of the walk-in theater in a long line but managed to get tickets for the evening showing.

I remember coming out of the theater after having one of those "wow" moments that stick with you for a lifetime. And I had the John Williams music in my head. Still one of my favorite movie themes.

Forty years may have gone by, but that film set the crossbar very high for those that came after it. And very few have measured up.

Rescue of Lois from the helicopter? Brings a tear to my eyes every time for its sheer perfection in depicting Superman

Matt, in many ways I agree with you about Lex and lackeys, but having seen later incarnations of Luthor on film (Spacey, Eisenberg), I'll take Gene Hackman any day. 

I have to admit the film is starting to show its age, due in no small part to the unlikely trio of Luthor, Otis (who I actually enjoy!) and Teschmacher... but the three are such a riot together, it's hard to get too worked-up over them.

Like others here, I agree the rest of the movie is still glorious, and I'll probably always feel that SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE is the golden template for the modern superhero film (even after 40 years)... and for my money, no comicbook movie has yet to top the casting of Christopher Reeve, nor the stupendous soundtrack by John Williams.

Still patiently waiting to hear that the original film is coming back to theaters for 2018... how is this not already on the calendar by now??

The special effects, for the era, were absolutely the best. And I've seen the cut scenes... they weren't critical to the film, but they do add some flavor to it.

Reeve was awesome, Superman looked and acted like Superman. His first night of heroing is  excellent. Hackman was great, though not the Lex of the comics. And it's my favorite movie theme ever. Even over Star Wars!

There are things that still bug me. Krypton the ice planet? The "S" being a Kryptonian symbol. The romance was too adult, as were the sexual innuendos. And that one horrible scene that I won't mention, you'll just have to read my mind...

Skipping Superboy bugged me then. Now I see why they did it.

When I saw SUPERMAN in the theater in '78 I felt very feh about that Flying With Lois Scene: too romantic, boring, long -- a bathroom break, if needed. But when I watch it now, and he takes off with her, I love it. At times I've I busted out in a big smile and I actually teared up. You really do want to feel how much they could love each other so that the ending hits home all the more powerfully. But... as soon as the "Can You Read My Mind" voice over bit kicks in, I'm out. It's overkill. 

I was of an age when the movie came out to be quite enthralled by Miss Tessmacher, but clearly that was a horrible mistake.

Luthor & cohorts: not so good. Far too much broad comedy. Otis is actually quite well-played by Beatty. It's fine comedic acting. But who the wants it in a Superman movie? Not me! Hackman also, he is quite excellent. "Miss Tessmacher!" He makes you hate him. But ultimately it's a silly Luthor the movie offers. Too much bad "Batman" TV show influence.

Still, and despite other faults I think it has, for me, it's the best superhero movie ever made.

It's one of my favourite superhero films. 

I like the special effects. No idea how they filmed that "Superman saves the helicopter" scene, but it looks 100% real. 

I truly did believe a man could fly.

Incidentally, as a kid, I so wanted Adam West and Burt Ward to return as the Dynamic Duo and team with Reeve's Superman in a TV movie. Never happened, of course. As an adult, thank goodness it didn't (not that it would ever have been even a distinct possibility).

ITEM: Arguably my favorite movie scene of all time is when Clark changes to Superman in Lois' foyer. As a fan, I was stunned with its brilliance. As an actor, I am still in awe of that performance. I love it.

ITEM: And that scene at the end, when Superman looks at me and smiles. Great. Oh, I know all of you think he was smiling at you, but I know for certain. He was smiling at me.