After a fair deal of controversy over its complicated production, this sci-fi fantasy
superhero film was released stateside in June of 1981, where it eventually doubled its $54
million dollar budget, making it the third-highest-grossing film of the year.
Taking over for Richard Donner more than halfway through the project, director Richard Lester
does his best to assemble the disjointed pieces of an almost unsalvageable project - ultimately
resulting in a drawn-out, poorly paced 127-minute adventure.
In an after to save Paris from a bomb, Superman unwittingly unleashes a trio of bad guys from
their floating space prison, while also dealing with his own personal issues.
Almost all of the original's cast returns here, with Christopher Reeve once again donning
the bright red cape, and looking as handsome and formidable as ever.
Having already dealt with the famous origin story, this PG-rated sequel is able to focus
on the title character's relationship with Margot Kidder in a delicate, and flirtatious
performance.
This intriguing romantic sub-plot, that inter-cuts the larger action set-pieces, is a great anchor
for a film that often becomes a bit too ambitious for its own good.
Although mostly absent for the middle hour of the picture, Gene Hackman returns, and
thanks to Donner's original directing, his charisma and determination consistently steal
the scene.
Terence Stamp expertly portrays the power-hungry and unstoppable superhero nemesis, hell bent
on ruling the planet, and referring to himself in the third person.
Ultimately, he's a fairly one-dimensional villain, who seems content with smashing stuff
and terrorizing mid-western civilians for no real reason.
Some conflict is introduced, when Reeves volunteers to become a powerless mortal, just as Stamp
is taking over the White House... but there's absolutely zero tension derived here, as the
plot device is almost immediately abandoned, and Superman restores his powers in the very
next scene without any consequence or issue.
It is a patently absurd mechanism, a gigantic waste of time, and awful script-writing - why
the thread remained in the finished film is beyond me.
The climatic fight between the superhero men of Kyrpton is big on effects and exploding
cars, but plays out like a silly cartoon - with the people of Metropolis worrying over their
spilled ice cream, rather than the mindless death and destruction around them.
When Stamp remarks on Superman's only perceivable weakness, "He actually cares for these Earth
people."
- you'd think our hero would be faced with some human dilemma, but instead...
more things blow-up, and he's never really challenged.
Although John Williams was too busy with far better films in 1980, composer Ken Thorne
does a serviceable job weaving his iconic themes into some new material.
Over thirty years old, the visual effects may not hold up very well, but they're at
least forgivable: the silly tone and goofy dialogue that undercut many scenes however,
aren't.
With two separate directors, two cinematographers, and many re-shoots taking place almost three
year laters, it's amazing anything cohesive resulted at all, but surprisingly, a fair
number of the shots are well-lit, powerfully framed, and aesthetically pleasing.
Dismissing the ridiculousness of flying men in capes burning things with their laser-vision,
a number of developments and scenarios in this picture are still a bit far-fetched and
unbelievable.
Not the least of which is Hackman traveling to the north pole on a water-floating jet-ski.
Through all the mess, there's a lot of fun comic-book style action here, and plenty of
amusing moments: but the takeaway lesson is a foggy one, which seems to suggest Reeves
was correct to value service over love and personal ambition.
Although it's hardly anything special, this movie did produce two separate direct-sequels,
so it's necessary viewing for fans of the iconic franchise...
fortunately, an alternate cut released years later is a large improvement, and is likely
the version I'll rewatch going forward.
"Superman II", "Corny and jumbled, but entertaining."
Here's what you had to say in the YouTube comments.
Here's our scores for "Superman II", a GREAT and a GOOD.
Everyone agreed this follow-up was superior to its predecessor, with several of you praising
the villains and tighter script - you gave it an EIGHT.
I was disappointed in this picture - it had lots of flash and fun, but the production
issues really hurt an otherwise capable movie, I'm scoring it a SIX.