Inextricably linked to my childhood imagination, though now I can admire it for Richard Lester's apparent creation of a "superhero slapstick" model, which he explored further in SUPERMAN III.
Pretty good sequel. However, Richard Donner was fired from the film due to some lawsuit from the producers. Would've liked to see ehat the movie would've been like had he not been fired.
I find this along with the first to be classics and endearing despite their flaws, i grew up with these films, this is my favorite of the two for a number of reasons but mainly for General Zod, Kneel before Zod.
Years ago, on the planet of "Krypton", three master-criminals (Terrance Stamp, Sarah Douglas and Jack O'Halloran) were trapped and sentenced to the "Phantom Zone" for all eternity. Years later, on the planet Earth, one of the greatest criminals known, one "Lex Luthor" (Gene Hackman) escapes from prison with his dimwitted assistant "Otis" (Ned Beaty), whom eventually is left behind at the prison and is immediately captured by prison guards. "Luthor" and "Miss Teschmacher" (Valerie Perrine) go by a hot air balloon to the North Pole and discovers the "Fortress of Solitude", the secret base of "Superman" (Christopher Reeve).
Meanwhile, in Paris, France, "Lois Lane" is covering a hostage situation at the Eiffel Tower, and, like always, she gets herself in trouble. "Superman" swoops in from the sky and saves her, and she informs the "Man of Steel" that the hostage takers have a nuclear bomb. "Superman" then launches the elevator that the bomb is attached to into outer space and saves the day. However, when the bomb explodes, the energy wave it causes strikes the "Phantom Zone" releasing the three prisoners who first make it to the Earth's moon where they kill astronauts who are investigating the lunar surface. The three, "General Zod" (Stamp), "Ursa" (Douglas) and the mute "Non" (O'Halloran), make their way to Earth and eventually take over the White House in Washington, DC.
However, "Superman" has no clue of the escape of the criminals from his home planet, because he is starting a romance with "Lois Lane (Margot Kidder), who accidentally discovers that "Superman" and "Clark Kent" are actually the same person.
When he discovers that the three criminals are causing terror around the United States, it appears that he is unable for him to do anything. This is because he had his "abilities far beyond those of mortal men" which are powered by Earth's yellow sun have been removed so he can spend the rest of his life with "Lois".
The biggest problem with this movie is the two directors with totally different views of the movie. However, what we get is still a good film. Another problem is powers revealed in this movie. Why haven't we seen them in the first movie and the two later films? In my opinion, the only powers we should have seen are the ones that only appear in the original DC Comics publications.
Christopher Reeve does a much better performance as "Clark Kent" in this film. In my opinion, he made "Clark" way too wimpy in the first film. In this one, "Clark" is portrayed more campy. Kidder's performance is also slightly better in this film. Hackman appears more like one of the good guys in this film due to the fact of the performances of Stamp, Douglas and O'Halloran seemed even more evil than his version of "Luthor" was in the first film. I personally would have liked to have seen more of "Perry White" (Jackie Cooper) and "Jimmy Olsen" (Marc McClure) since they were fairly large roles in the comic books. Despite their length on screen, those in minor roles help advance the storyline.
On a visual stand point, there are many special effects which have not held up well over the years. For example, in the scenes in the hot air balloon, it is quite evident that Hackman and Perrine are in front of a blue screen. Also, a lot of the scenes where the "Kryptonians" use their super-strength is good, but it's very evident that what or who they are throwing are being guided by wires. Also, if you look quickly and closely, you can see that the "heat vision beams" do not quite match-up with the eyes they are suppose to be coming from.
Like I said earlier, the three super-villains are performed very well, especially "Zod" and "Ursa". "Non" is more of comic relief and "muscle" than anything else. "Lex Luthor" is more of a second-banana to these three, whom we never see or hear from again, and is not as evil.
The character development in this film is also good. The characters are expanded upon nicely, with exception of "White" and "Olsen", who have been relegated to minor characters. In fact, the characters are improved in this movie.
Despite the plot holes, which include how "Superman" gets his powers back specifically, Superman 2 is a good follow-up to Superman: The Movie.
Dark with kickass action. Would have surpassed the first except there's some horribly stupid shit - fake powers & bad science that I can't quite forgive.
Lester took over for Dunner during production on the second Superman, this time where Superman as Kent may lose his power for the love of Lois Lane, but three villains from his home planet arrive to terrorize Earth! The Donner cut DVD was actually a bit better.
Look up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane, it's Superman! I admire the greatest superhero in the world who is both an American and world icon. Here is the second chapter of the "Superman" film series that packs punches and is as powerful as steel.
"Superman II" leaves where the original film left off: Three released criminals from Krypton are going to conquer Earth. That's the story's main focus. The weirdest thing I think about the film is that, to marry Lois, Superman has to give up his superpowers- especially superstrength, and the ability to fly- and then he temporarily gets vulnerable to pain....ouch. But the superhero still has to battle with General Zod as he protects the truth, justice, and the American Way. The great special effects (SFX) are plenty in all the action scenes, especially with the fight scenes in Metropolis. What a great superhero movie!
Adapted from the DC Comics series by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel and directed by Richard Lester, this 1980-released "Superman" film features the finest acting performances from the following cast members:
1.) Christopher Reeve (Clark Kent/Superman)
2.) Margot Kidder (Lois Lane)
3.) Marc McClure (Jimmy Olsen)
4.) Jackie Cooper (Perry White)
5.) Gene Hackman (Lex Luthor)
6.) Ned Beatty (Otis)
7.) Valerie Perrine (Eve Teschmacher)
8.) Terrence Stamp (General Zod)
9.) Susannah York (Lara)
The background instrumental music is so powerful that it reflects the mythical Superman hero. The main theme is in my head now, and I can hear it!
Whether you read comic books or not, go ahead and enjoy the second chapter of the "Superman" film series, highly recommended for all audiences.
It was okay... I was a little disappointed. Some parts are definitely cheesy, but not terribly cheesy. The first was a lot more entertaining, but the new Superman Returns is definately the best Superman movie.
Okay, after his intro in the first movie, Supes now gets to take the the kid gloves off, kick some real @ss & take names. And the Lois Lane/Clark Kent romance subplot is strong enough to negate the out-of-left-field big plastic-wrap S insignia that the Man Of Steel pulls off his chest ( "wtf?")during the climatic battle with the trio of rogue Kryptonians. Yo, Ka-El, with great power not only comes great responsibility, but also, great sacrifice too.
The best of the Superman movies. In addition to the solid story in the movie Superman actually gets to go up against enemies that can actually hit him as hard as he can hit.
good follow on to the first film. good storyline, plus this must be the one where he got lois pregnant! (if you've seen supes returns you'll know what i mean)
Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) locates Superman's Arctic Fortress of Solitude, where he learns from a hologram about the three Kryptonian villains: Ursa (Sarah Douglas), Non (Jack O'Halloran), & General Zod (Terence Stamp).
Superman was never my favorite superhero so I couldn't really get into this film. The first one never really impressed me so I wasn't surprised when this one didn't either. I don't even ever recalling liking Christopher Reeve. There is no doubt that he was perfect for the character of Superman as he definatly fits the look of him but his acting was far from perfect if you ask me. The plot in this film I couldn't really get into either. I don't know what it was. I think i'm going to put it down to not liking the Superman story so don't take this review too seriously because if you actually like Superman then i'm sure you'll have no problem with this film.
contender for greatest sequel with empire strikes back, godfather 2, and aliens, a superb plot involving 3 super beings coming to earth and along with gene hackmans lex luther kill superman, once again christopher reeve is the one and only superman, terrence stamp great as alien leader of the trio, and great action set pieces throughout, especially the fight in metropolis, great story also for superman, battling with his demons
MCT:September 16, 2008
MCT:August 30, 2008
MCT:August 19, 2008
MCT:July 24, 2008
MCT:July 6, 2008
MCT:June 22, 2008
MCT:May 26, 2008
MCT:May 25, 2008
