Review of Superman III (1983) by Richard L — 06 Aug 2014

Christopher Reeve really has what it takes to be Superman, and after his epic encounter with General Zod and his two menacing allies in Superman II - and his fantastic introduction in the original, he still plays the role incredibly well in Superman III.

Fair play to him, but not quite for the movie's new supporting lead, the comedian Richard Pryor. Apparently, he's the centre of the plot and what goes on in the movie, and he plays such a ridiculous character that is neither important to the story or the Superman franchise, and yet there's a lot of cinematography footage wasted on him.

The movie, as well, lacks a decent villain to match Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor or Terence Stamp's General Zod. The movie is also filled with bad acting and less time of Superman's heroism. The only credit I give to Superman III is the junkyard scene in which evil Superman encounters good Superman in a deadly duel.

It was amazing effects that were used for this sequence - two Clarke Kents. The only let down, really, is that good Superman didn't put up much of a fight - and he was dressed for the Daily Planet not for 'Superhero Vs Inner-Demon' combat.

Superman III definitely has a difficult time to show it's actually a Superhero movie that doesn't belong to the Spoof Agenda.