Review of Superman II (1980) by Mark B — 16 Jan 2011

Superduperman returns to the big screen! Together with the most of the original cast (minus one Marlon Brando) the story for the most part continues where the first one left off. However, this time with a less serious tone and more humor. The three villains that started off the first movie by being imprisoned in "The Phantom Zone" are set free due to an atomic blast. Now Superman has to battle bad guys of equal strength.

Where the first movie had a more "adult" theme and took not only the character but story to an almost human level, this sequel is more of a comic book. It doesn't hurt the series in any way, becuase taking Superman's adventures to a lighter stage is still very entertaining. One reason could also be that both movies were actually shot back to back with the studios being worried that the original cast may not return for a sequel. But somewhere in mid-shooting, director Richard Donner was dropped from the second movie, and producer Richard Lester was now sent in to direct it. Reshooting 75% of the movie and using the rest of the original film, what they ended up with was the 1980/81 theatre release of "Superman II". The studios had no choice because Gene Hackman refused to return for the reshoot. Not to mention Lester was a director of comedies, so he was trying to insert a joke in any way he could in the film. This could possibly be the reason why when Lester made part 3, it was most dissapointing and audiences started losing faith and respect in the series.

But back to this one. Reeve is yet again perfect in the role, and actually bulked up for it. Hackman as Luthor, entertaining as always. And the three kryptonian villains (one of them being Terence Stamp) actually give the story a bit more spice and a flair of the unexpected. Although this chapter takes the series from a "mature" level down to a more childlike one, you almost feel like a kid watching a Saturday matinee. And even at its silliest, you can't helped but be entertained. At least this is one sequel that did not disgrace its predecessor.