Review of Superman II (1980) by Adam R — 27 Jul 2014

Superman II stars Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Terence Stamp, Ned Beatty, Sarah Douglas, Margot Kidder, and Jack O'Halloran. It was to be a troubled shoot that saw two directors involved with the project. Richard Donner had completed about three quarters of the film before being taken off the project, where Richard Lester came in to finish the film. Because of the back stage problems there are a host of writers credited on the film and both Robert Paynter & Geoffrey Unsworth were involved with the cinematography. Filmed using the Megasound system the score is a reworking of John Williams original score by Ken Thorne.

Something of a miracle in itself that Superman II, in spite of all the behind the scenes shenanigans, is a terrific sequel to the massively successful Superman from 78. Sure there's some minor tonal shifts if you want to focus deeply, but really it comes together nicely to give comic book fans a movie to treasure. This time round sees Superman pitted against three villains who have been released from their prison due to Superman himself detonating a hydrogen bomb in space. The kicker being that the three convicts-General Zod, Ursa, Non-are from his home planet of Krypton and had been imprisoned by Jor-El. And now they are free and hell bent on revenge against the son of Jor-El and the planet that worships him. If that was not enough for Superman to contend with, he also has affairs of the heart to deal with as his love for Lois Lane grows stronger by the day. While a certain Lex Luthor is plotting his escape from prison...... Nicely fusing a humanistic heart with exciting set pieces, Superman II is a worthy sequel to the wonderful first film. Enjoy it for it was to go down hill from here.