Review of Superman II (1980) by Ethan S — 30 Jul 2009

Superman II (1980) -- [6.5] -- This sequel doesn't hold up as well as the original. It's goofier, much less polished in terms of photography, scoring and visual effects, and it mishandles some pretty dramatic moments.

After director Richard Donner was fired half-way through the movie's shoot (most of which was shot concurrently with Donner's Superman The Movie), the producers hired Richard Lester to finish shooting and to reshoot several emotional highlights.

Lester's main crime is his sense of humor. Nearly every joke in the movie falls dead flat. Lester also doesn't take advantage of the story's dramatic potential. If you watch Richard Donner's recently released cut of the movie, you'll see two or three major improvements in the dramatic structure and delivery, including a vastly better version of the scene where Clark regains his powers.

Christopher Reeve's performance in that alternate scene is the best work he did for the entire Superman franchise. Unfortunately, "The Richard Donner Cut" is not (and can never be) a polished, finished film, so I can't say it's better than Lester's version -- but definitely well worth a look for the curious.

Despite Lester's tinkering, Superman II still has a lot going for it. Reeve and Margot Kidder have enough chemistry and charisma to keep the film afloat, and the three villains from Krypton make for some worthy adversaries in a climactic showdown in the streets of Metropolis.