Superman II (1980) Reviews

• The best sequel of all time my personal favorite a bit underrated

  ivo-cobra82016-10-07

  Superman II (1980) is so underrated by fans and critics of Richard Donner's cut who are the same people rooting for Zack Snyder's Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice! Part II is another classic and excellent sequel from the 80's and the film from my childhood, not as good as the first original film, but still good. I am always going to cherish this movie. It is my personal Superman favorite sequel movie since my childhood. Christopher Reeve is the only Superman for me. I am defending this film from haters and people who put's down iconic superhero sequel who saves people. For some reason I didn't think it was as good as I remember and for my honest opinion it is still better than Richard Donner's cut or Zack Snyder movies! I grew up watching this film, I was 6 years old when I saw Richard Lester's version on TV but I only saw half of the film. Superman III was the first film I saw on VHS as a child, this was the third film I saw. I love this film to death I love this film the same as I love Superman I and III and it is my favorite sequel. Christopher Reeve is and always will be the only SUPERMAN! No one could play Clark Kent/Superman like Christopher Reeve, the film is still instantiate classic till it's day. If anyone could be Superman. It is Christopher Reeve, he fits the part perfectly as the shy yet great reporter Clark Kent, Kal-El last son of Krypton, and Superman, Earths savior from the forces of evil. Superman is a world known icon and is permanently set in stone as the best Superhero of all time. Though, the only Superman movies I enjoyed are the first three Superman movies that had Christopher Reeve in it! I hate the new Superman: Henry Cavill, he is not a Superman as I remember when I was a kid! We have now a Superman who kills people, who let's people die and he only thinks on him self, his mother Martha and Lois! I hate Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, Superman Returns, Man of Steel, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice! Superman saves a lot of people in this film, a kid who falls of Niagra fall's, a young mommy and her baby, turn's off the fire from a oil truck caused by Zod. I love Superman Christopher Reeve in this film and I was always fan of this film! John Williams theme is still a classic song to Superman my favorite iconic character! Things I don't like: The film has a few problems that are really unnecessary and I really hate it: Eve Teschmacher (Valerie Perrine) disappears from the storyline after she and Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) leave Superman's Fortress Of Solitude, and her absence from the rest of the movie is never explained. Ned Beatty as Otis also disappears from the storyline, why putting these two characters in this movie when they both had a cameo scene without explanation in it, is beyond me, even it was from Richard Donner cut, they could have removed it anyway. Clark Kent revels his powers to Lois (Margot Kidder) that he is Superman and he sacrifice his powers for Lois that I stupid idea! After 1 hour Clark find's out that General Zod (Terence Stamp) and his goons conquering Earth behind his back and Superman wasn't there to stop theme, I don't like this thing in this film at all. I don't like Ursa killing astronaut and kicking him in the groan. I hate Sarah Douglas, Margot Kidder and Jack O'Halloran for dissing Christopher Reeve! The only two actors I have respect beside Christopher Reeve is: Gene Hackman and Terence Stamp who was even in Smallville as the voice of Jor-El, Clark's biological father. Terence Stamp was perfect choice for playing General Zod he was brilliant and excellent as the main villain - respect to this actor! Overall: I don't like Richard Donner's Cut: the scene where Lois jumped into the Niagra Falls and Clark had to save her without revealing his identity... that was not in the film. It is a shame because I love that scene. Instead, Lois shoots Clark to prove he is Superman. There are also a few more scenes cut out and replaced with other scenes. It is very interesting to see a different version of the film. But I have great memories of watching this film when I was a kid so I prefer the original version. R.I.P. - Christopher Reeve (1952 - 2004) the only Clark Kent/Superman who we always be my favorite superhero of all time! This movie for my opinion is 10/10 I don't care what anyone says about this movie or Richard Donner's cut that it is better in my opinion I enjoy this movie much way better.

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• My Favorite '80's Big Budget Blockbuster!

  shelliryan2003-06-05

  SUPERMAN II is, IMO, one of the best films ever made, and one of the most underrated. I put it in the same category as the STAR WARS or INDIANA JONES films. It had all of the makings of those films - big budget, "movie brat" director, and based on what was traditionally considered a "low" genre, in this case, comic books. But SUPERMAN II takes those basic concepts and really runs with them, and as a child, I found it unforgettable. We have ALL asked, "what if Lois Lane knew that he was really Superman?" In SUPERMAN II, we find out. Whenever we see a superhero movie, we want to see a knock-down, drag out fight, and we get it in the scene when Superman fights all three villains in Metropolis, a scene that runs a good half hour. And it even continues the thematic elements of "God in human form" as introduced in the first film, when Superman needs his powers back and calls for his "Father," practically asking, "why hast thou foresaken me?" I based every adventure fight / story / whatever I wrote for the rest of my life on the general patterns / pacing / scope of this film, and to an sci-fi / action fan, it's an absolute winner. One of my favorite movies of all time.

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• Best Of The Superman Series

  ccthemovieman-12005-10-31

  This is the best of the Superman movies because of the three villains, played by Terrence Stamp, Sarah Douglas and Jack O'Halloran. Those three are so good, particularly Stamp, that they make this easily the most memorable of the four films. The scenes with them on the moon, their first encounter on earth and their climactic fight against Superman in the skies above Metropolis are all outstanding. Once again, Superman goes a little overboard in his romance to Lois Lane (do you believe some reviewers are upset there weren't explicit sex scenes in the film?) Hey, folks, it's just a comic book and it's supposed to be innocent, clean fun. Sorry that turns you off. For the rest of us, this is generally very enjoyable film from start to finish, with no real lulls.

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• Superman's only worthy sequel

  the_mysteriousx2003-06-23

  For those who are into the comic book movie craze today, this one is one of the best comic-y movies from the beginning of the summer blockbuster heyday. The original Superman is really an excellent film with solid, honest direction by Richard Donner. Donner shot around half of this sequel and his scenes are all excellent (Note: Every Gene Hackman scene was shot by Donner - Hackman refused to return to production after Donner was fired). There is still much hope that Donner's footage will re-surface. Most importantly of all there are vital scenes with Marlon Brando returning as Superman's father, Jor-El and giving his "life" to save his son and save the planet from the evil villains he vanquished from Krypton. It would also be interesting for audiences to see the difference between Donner's scenes and the ones re-shot by Lester. The characters are great. Superman, played by Christopher Reeve, is in solid form and he and Lois are given the opportunity to enhance their relationship from the original story. Jackie Cooper is once again great as Perry White, the chief editor of the Daily Planet. What makes this movie move is the villains. Gene Hackman is funnier and still up to no good and the villains from Krypton are menacing. His dialogue is truly witty and Hackman's timing is perfect. Terence Stamp is the power hungry General Zod, out for revenge against the son of Jor-El. Stamp plays it straight and his scenes directed by Donner show a true megalomaniac. Jack O'Halloran is solid as the hulking Non. Best of all is Sarah Douglas as the cold and evil Ursa in a truly underrated performance. She is the most curious and most interesting of the bunch. She collects badges as trophies for her conquering of earth, wearing them to mock male hierarchy. Ursa seems to be a forerunner of all of the sexy female superwomen today, but her role is not overstated and stale. She is not given gratuitous cleavage shots or anything of the sort. Ursa is a beautiful vamp and a tease, and if anything we wish she would have more screen time. Sarah Douglas constantly gives us hints as to Ursa's wishes, and we can only try to surmise what evil plans she is up to. The music is John Williams' score from the first film, but used differently. Not sure if much of the music is original. Ken Thorne does a good job here of accenting cuts with Williams' original score (Williams too refused to return after Donner was fired.) Some great cues are Superman returning to fight the villains, which is wonderfully heroic; Ursa's shocking appearance to both the astronauts on the moon (a violent scene that uses the darkest motifs from Krypton in the first film); and the whole Metropolis battle in the end, which is well supported by the music. The effects are very good for 1980. I keep reading how people are unhappy and always apologize for the FX in any movie more than a couple of years old. This one is solid and for the film it serves, does well. The only major goof is when Superman delivers the American Flag at the end - The water fountain in front of the White House is clearly a model with "frozen" bursting water! The scene in the de-powering chamber is not well-handled either. Overall, this is a very entertaining film, and really amazingly considering it is obviously the work of two directors. Of all the comic book movies made from the 60s thru the 90s, this one definitely rates in the top five along with the first Superman, the first two Batmans. Supermans 3 and 4 were really poor. It is too bad that Christopher Reeve did not make more good Superman films. This one has some camp, but it's way too entertaining and it's the only sequel to still have the flavor of the original. And please, let's see a special edition DVD with all of the missing Richard Donner footage!!!!!

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• A perfect companion piece to the first film.

  MaxBorg892006-07-20

  In 1978, Richard Donner's Superman made us believe a man could fly. in 1980 the sequel, partly directed by Donner (he was sacked and replaced by Richard Lester, who received the sole directing credit) managed to do it again, and better. Fans of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man movies may find similarities between Superman II and the second Spidey flick: this new installment sees our hero (Christopher Reeve) give up his powers (sound familiar?) so that he can spend the rest of his life with the beloved Lois Lane (Margot Kidder), who has accidentally discovered his identity. Unfortunately, his happiness won't last, as the world faces new danger: Kryptonian criminal General Zod (Terence Stamp) and his sidekicks (Sarah Douglas and Jack O'Halloran), who were imprisoned in the Phantom Zone at the beginning of the first movie, are suddenly free and decide to conquer Earth. On top of that, they find an ally in Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), recently escaped from jail. Looks like Supes picked the wrong week to quit his job... Like its predecessor, Superman II works because the filmmakers focus on the contrast between his body and his heart: one's indestructible, the other is not, and that's why he's a believable, likable character (no wonder Bryan Singer based his Superman Returns on the first two S-movies). The contrast is made even stronger by the fact that this time he must choose between a normal life and what he vowed to do with his abilities. Those looking for jaw-dropping action shouldn't worry either: the scenes where Superman fights his three opponents (with the same powers as he) in the middle of Metropolis are still as awesome as they were 26 years ago, a true joy for the eye. And as usual, the acting is top notch: Reeve gives Superman that special mix of strength and vulnerability that make him unique, while the ruthless yet calculating Stamp and the hilarious Hackman form a perfect villain duo. So, wanna see a superhero film with something special? Superman I and II have it all.

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