Within all those men in tights, there are few that stand out. One of them is wearing big glasses, acting shy while being a reporter. Why is he that popular? Because he's the fastest one on the typewriter and he's a super man they tell.
That's maybe the same reason why some may love this enormous number of special effects. We see strings, blue screen, front projection, optical editing and other techniques that were modern back then in 1978. (Actually, we see none but the result of them on the screen.)
But I'm not satisfied with that. I'd more like watching C-beams glitter than Mr. S flying on and on and --
What made this Alien become vivid was the fresh play of Christopher "notwalkin'" Reeve (I did not notice before the enormous number of alternative meanings to that middle name I just gave). He's a Fredric March with crystal powers and a spark of making-fun-of-himself. Clark still is a nice guy after his many small faults he makes in everyday's life. But Louis -- who's that? only thing to remember well is her screaming. Watching a huge continental rift coming near and not running away is too much for a human being with two legs and a brain.
Which leads us to the script. Thank god the original one of more than 500 pages was reduced and freed of comic events involving Kojak and things. I did not get in the mood to develop a relationship to the characters. May it because it's too sweaty, or I have not the mind for taking super powers for granted, or because I've never read any comic of one of the most ancient American heroes. BTW "sweaty":
http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=vlcsnap-2010-07-29-21hpca9.png
[29.07.2010 21:37:05] <Sebas> ...the fuck?
[29.07.2010 21:37:36] <Sebas> Is that from a real superman film, or some terrible porn knockoff?
[29.07.2010 21:38:27] <coolathlon_movi> That IS Christopher Reeve. It's the test audition that made him Mr. S.

In summary we have a mass of SFX with good quality (for that time), a story with too often exaggerating the situation to some sillyness and an earworm soundtrack thanks to John Williams.

So go just look at the WTM-shots, buy the soundtrack and 'Maus. A Survivor's Tale' from Art Spiegelman if you are not into heroes but dramatic stories.
Else it's long SFX fest for popcorn cinema lovers.
If you're really into classy pictures: Originally it was made in 70 mm. A few cinemas may show it not only on the big screen but the bigger one.