Review of Superman II (1980) by Troy H — 06 Sep 2010

First thing you need to know about this film is that it was to be directed by Richard Donner (the director of the first film) as part of a two movie deal. It was also meant to be shot along with the first film.

Richard Donner had actually shot a good portion of the second film while he did the first and had used a scene intended to be in the second film for screen test. But problems between Donner and the produces over the cost of Superman 1 and possibly even the more serious direction Donner was taking the franchise (the original script for Superman 1 was apparently more campy and gimmicky than what finally came out) saw him ousted and replaced by Richard Lester, a director willing to deliver what the produces want.

Still using some of Donner's footage (because a. they couldn't get Gene Hackman back and/or b. it's cheaper than shooting absolutely everything all over again) Superman 2 gives us the story of the three Kryptonian criminals imprisoned at the start of the first film (though this time just sentenced by the counsel without Jor-El due to a pay dispute that came up after the first film) being released from the phantom zone by a nuclear explosion and then making their way to Earth where to reap chaos.

Meanwhile Clark Kent is going through another dilemma as he finally is discovered by Lois Lane to be Superman. For a film that is some what of a hog-pog of different elements it isn't too bad. The fact that they stuck to Donner's originally intended story somewhat and used some of Donner's footage I believe helped to keep the film grounded and somewhat serious, Lester's input however does not really help this film with him preferring to install more humor into the film.

The only addition that feel could be seen as good is the input of a new set piece to the start of the film with Superman having to stop a group of terrorist from setting off a bomb at the Eiffel Tower.

The piece however doesn't add much other than give us an alternate reason two the Kryptonian criminals release from the phantom zone (originally it was to be one of the nuclear bombs from the first that releases them.

) While I do derive reasonable amount entertainment from this movie I would prefer The Richard Donner Cut version of this film released in 2006 over this version for its more serious and more comprehensive take of the story.