Hollywood Popular Artists

Feb 11th 2013, 21:30

Few movies can be credited with setting the stage for the current state of big-budget film making quiet like Richard Donner's "Superman." The 1978 adaptation of the Man of Steel starred Christopher Reeve in the role that would define his career, and as the first major superhero film in the post-"Jaws" world of blockbuster films, it created the blueprint for the genre entries that would come after it.

The movie's inclusion on the "Best of Warner Bros" set feels entirely appropriate not only because of its own merits as an inventive, big film, but as a precursor to the superhero revival that would lead to the studio's most recent and biggest hits, Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight Trilogy."

"Superman" is an absolutely worthy addition to your Blu-ray collection for the performances, in addition to the reasons stated above. Reeve cemented his legacy forever with his portrayal of Kal-El aka Clark Ken aka Superman, and Gene Hackman is a joy to watch as Lex Luthor.

Though it may seem hokey by today's standard of gritty and dark heroes, the legacy of Donner's film has made the character even more difficult to capture on film. We'll have to wait and see what Zack Snyder can put together and how it stacks up to the reigning champ.

Over the course of nine days, MTV Movies Blog will be traveling through cinematic time and the nine decades of movies featured in the "Best of Warner Bros 50 Film Collection." Each day, we'll review one film from one decade of the box set and taking a look back at the history of the studio.

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