Superman II (1981)
-
88% of critics liked it
(43 reviews) -
66% of users liked it
(215,428 ratings)
Between giving up his super powers, confronting criminals from outer space, and having problems with his girlfriend, it's a bad time to be the Man of Steel in this sequel to the 1978 blockbuster. When terrorists threaten to destroy Paris with a thermonuclear device as they hold reporter Lois… More Between giving up his super powers, confronting criminals from outer space, and having problems with his girlfriend, it's a bad time to be the Man of Steel in this sequel to the 1978 blockbuster. When terrorists threaten to destroy Paris with a thermonuclear device as they hold reporter Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) hostage, Superman (Christopher Reeve) comes to the rescue and flings the weapon into space. However, its blast outside the earth's orbit awakens Zod (Terence Stamp), Ursa (Sarah Douglas), and Non (Jack O'Halloran), three villains from Superman's home planet of Krypton who were exiled to outer space for their crimes. Zod and his partners arrive on Earth and use their powers in a bid to take over the U.S., and then the world. However, when Lois realizes that mild mannered Clark Kent and Superman are actually the same person, he brings her to his Fortress of Solitude, where his decision to marry Lois costs him his remarkable strength. Without his super powers, how can Superman vanquish Zod and save the world? Gene Hackman, Ned Beatty, Susannah York, and Jackie Cooper return from the first film, which was shot at the same time as parts of the sequel. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Richard Lester, Richard Donner
- Written By
- Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy
- In Theaters
- Jun 19, 1981 Wide
- Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
Critic Reviews
-
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine
Let's face it, times change, and Superman and friend have sweetly embraced the spirit of the '80s as well as each other.
-
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
As good a matinee movie as could be imagined.
-
Variety Staff, Variety
A solid, classy, cannily constructed piece of entertainment which gets down to action almost immediately.
-
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The combination of Richard Donner's superb original casting and visual attack with Lester's wit and his ear for sound proves a pretty formidable alliance.
-
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Superman II begins in midstream, and never looks back...
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
UltraViolet Retailers
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
Christopher Reeve
as Clark Kent/Superman
-
Gene Hackman
as Lex Luthor
-
Margot Kidder
as Lois Lane
-
Ned Beatty
as Otis
-
Jackie Cooper
as Dino/Perry White
-
Terence Stamp
as Gen. Zod
-
Sarah Douglas
as Ursa
-
Jack O'Halloran
as Non
-
Valerie Perrine
as Eve Teschmacher
-
Susannah York
as Lara
-
Clifton James
as Sheriff
-
Marc McClure
as Jimmy Olsen
-
E.G. Marshall
as President
-
Bill Bailey
as J.J.
-
Don Fellows
as General
-
Hal Galili
as Man at Bar
-
John Hollis
as Krypton Elder
-
Elva Mai Hoover
as Mother
-
Richard Le Parmentier
as Reporter
-
Angus MacInnes
as Warden
-
Pepper Martin
as Rocky
-
Robin Pappas
as Alice
-
Beth Porter
as Football Fan (uncredited)
-
Dinny Powell
as Boog
-
John Ratzenberger
as Controller
-
Shane Rimmer
as Controller
-
Gordon Rollings
as Fisherman
-
Michael J. Shannon
as President's Aide
-
Antony Sher
as Bellboy
-
Tony Sibbald
as Presidential Imposter
-
Leueen Willoughby
as Leueen
-
Marc Boyle
as C.R.S. Man
-
Eugene Lipinski
as News Vendor
-
Alan Stuart
as Cab Driver
-
Hadley Kay
as Jason
-
Roger Brierley
as Terrorist
-
Marcus D'Amico
as Willie
-
Pamela Mandell
as Waitress
-
Peter Whitman
as Deputy
-
Melissa Wiltsie
as Nun
-
John Morton
as Nate
-
Anthony Milner
as Terrorist
-
Roger Kemp
as Spokesman
-
Tommy Duggan
as Diner Owner



