Review of Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) by Ron K — 28 Jun 2013

I like all Superman movies had a fondness, but this movie had so many problems it was hard to overlook.

From the opening credits you know it never had the money behind it. They looked cheap and cheesy.

Christopher Reeve was great as Superman in the acting, a solid performance. He was a slimmer Superman, but still had a presence. The action was so bad it takes you out of it. It could a solid fight coordinator. I have a feeling none was employed. Hackman was great as Lex Luthor, as always. His interaction with Reeve was the best part of the movie.

The plot was so so. Nuclear Man would have been an interesting concept but the costume looked like it was out of a local wrestling venue. And the actor was atrocious. The theory of how he was created had no even logical thought behind it. The execution of them creating him looked like a 1940's science lab, bubbling test tubes and all. Then he was born with a costume on him. (Whaa?).

John Cryer was pointless. Margo Kidder was horribly lit and looked tired the whole time. Mariel Hemingway looked great, but had a pointless subplot.

The whole idea of Superman destroying all the weapons could have been a great idea if they carried it further, but the second act was cheesy and godawful special effects.

I feel bad because Reeve helped write it, and ruined the franchise he helped build. But truly the only reason to watch this movie is out of pure curiosity.

RIP Christopher Reeve, you were a Superman.