Christopher Reeve Superman interviews

[The Laughing Fish]

I saw this video of Christopher Reeve promoting Superman movies over the years.

The footage I enjoyed the most was him discussing Superman III. Reeve is right when he says watching a character continue to be a clumsy fool all the time is boring, so having Clark Kent drop that persona was fresh. Even more insightful was the duality of Clark and Evil Superman, and the loathing the two have for each other. I guess Clark's return to Smallville gave him the comfort and realisation he doesn't need to overexaggerate his disguise, and once he spends time with Lana Lang, he can finally relax and be himself.

This perspective is a huge contrast to the online discourse I see about Superman on film nowadays. I've read too many people writing and complaining about Superman movies fail their ideal criteria based on the most superficial nonsense imaginable, such as the lack of smiles, making characters feel good, and even going so far to say any challenge or moral dilemma Superman faces makes him "too dark". I reckon it's one thing to criticise a certain direction for the character, but limiting him as a feel good mascot does him a great disservice.

So with that in mind, would Superman III fare better off if it were released in today's landscape? Judging by the ludicrous criteria these know-it-alls and so-called "purists" have, I don't think so.

[The Laughing Fish]

This interview shows Christopher Reeve giving an explanation of the central theme in The Quest for Peace that's much better executed than the movie itself.

[The Laughing Fish]

In 1982, Reeve was honest about his disappointment with Marlon Brando and his lack of work ethic.

Understandable. We all know how Brando refused to memorise his lines as Jor-El, and had people holding cue cards for him to read.

[The Laughing Fish]

With comments like these, you appreciate how Christopher Reeve knew Superman, as a concept, was much deeper than the general consensus gives him credit for. Anyone who views Superman as nothing more than happy-go-lucky is not only doing a disservice to the character, they're doing a disservice to Reeve's portrayal if that's all they see him.