The modernsuperhero movie genre beganin 1978, when the release of the origin filmSuperman, the first of four installments in the film series with Christopher Reeve as the titular hero, proved that superhero films were economically viable and provided the blueprint for all future superhero origin films to follow.Superman, which was the most expensive film ever made at the time of its release, was filmed virtually simultaneously with its 1980 sequel,Superman II, and while the first movie became a spectacular triumph, the sequel is arguably a better film. Freed from the bonds of being an origin film and having to spend so much time establishing the rules of Superman’s existence,Superman IIconfounded expectations by unexpectedly taking the series in an exciting and interesting new direction with the character.
One of the biggest differences betweenSupermanandSuperman IIis that the sequel has more confidence in Superman, and especially Reeve, whose great comedic and physical performance in the first film is transcended by a deeper level of sophistication and wit in the sequel, which features more awesome special effects sequences but isprimarily interested in how Superman, as Clark Kent, lives his life when he’s not thrust into saving humanity.
While he faces several dangerous opponents inSuperman II,the biggest challenge he faces in the sequel is the struggle to balance his superhero duties with his desire to be an ordinary guy, especially in terms of his relationship with Lois Lane, whom Superman is willing to sacrifice everything to be with. WhileSuperman IIhas been somewhat shrouded in controversy since its original theatrical release, mostly because ofRichard Donner’s unceremonious firingin the middle of the sequel’s filming and replacement with Richard Lester,Superman IIhas had a profound influence on the evolution of superhero movies, especially in terms of inspiring superhero sequels to surpass their predecessors by exploring the psychological depths of their superhero characters.
Superman II
Superman (Christopher Reeve) foils the plot of terrorists by hurtling their nuclear device into outer space, but the bomb’s shock waves free the Kryptonian villain General Zod (Terence Stamp) and his henchmen Ursa (Sarah Douglas) and Non (Jack O’Halloran) from their imprisonment. Traveling to Earth, they threaten the planet with destruction at the same time that Superman decides to renounce his superpowers in order to live a normal life as Clark Kent with his new love, Lois Lane (Margot Kidder).
Superman Wants a Normal Life with Lois
While the titular hero faces a major threat inSuperman IIwith thediabolical criminal mastermind Lex Luthor, played by Gene Hackman, along with Non, Ursa, and General Zod, three Krypton criminals who travel to Earth after escaping their previous banishment to the Phantom Zone by Superman’s biological father, Jor-El,the biggest revelation in the film happens when Superman, as Clark Kent, finally reveals his true identity to Lois Lane. InSuperman II, Lois, after becoming convinced that Clark is Superman, intends to expose him by putting herself in danger and, therefore, forcing Clark to turn into Superman to save her. When Clark and Lois are sent to Niagara Falls on a journalistic assignment, Lois, played by Margot Kidder, throws herself into the rapids. However, while Lois is indeed rescued, it’s by Clark, not Superman.
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When Clark eventually reveals his true identity to Lois, there is great satisfaction, as Clark is finally able to spend time with Lois as his true self after turning back time to save Lois’s life inSuperman. Following this reveal, he declares his love for Lois and takes her to the Fortress of Solitude in the Arctic, where he and Lois spend their first night together. In a testament to his love for Lois,he gives up his superpowersto be with her.
Zod’s arrival and resulting destructiveness are the immediate consequence of his decision to relinquish his powers to be with Lois and highlight how intractable Superman’s superhero obligations are, even at the cost of personal happiness. The fact that he can never be truly mortal makes his relationship with Lois inSuperman IIespecially bittersweet, as while his superhero pledge prevents him from ever being able to have a life with Lois,his need for secrecy also compels him to erase Lois’s mind of her memories of loving him.
Christopher Reeve Was Born to Play Superman
Christopher Reeve will always be the definitive Superman against whom all others are measured. While Gene Hackman and Marlon Brando receivedtop billing over Christopher Reevein the first film, as a way for the film’s producers and studio Warner Bros. to hedge their financial risk with the film,the first two movies would have failed without Reeve, whose comedic timing and towering physical presence enabled the actor to be appropriately imposing and serious in his confrontational scenes while seeming shy and tender in his scenes with Lois.
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Reeve’s performances in both films are grounded in humor, which is the most crucial element of the success of those movies. The klutz persona of Reeve’s Clark Kent represents a clever aspect of his performance, in whichthe contrast between Clark and Superman is most evident through their respective personalities. Reeve’s Superman conceals his identity not so much through the wearing of glasses but rather through his psychological approach, in which his most convincing disguise is Clark’s extraordinary meekness.
Superman II is the Peak of the Superman Franchise
FollowingSuperman II, the film series, much like what happened with Sam Raimi’sSpider-Manfilm series after thegreat 2004 sequelSpider-Man 2, ran out of inspiration. This is especially evident with the lackluster 1983 third installment,Superman III, which abandons all emotional connections with the previous film, specifically in terms of the exciting relationship between Lois Lane and Superman.
Early inSuperman III, Lois, in an extremely clumsy and unconvincing scene, leaves Clark to go away on vacation. The casualness with which Clark reacts to Lois’s sudden departure is an outrage to anyone who became emotionally invested in their romance in the second movie as if the great love they shared in the sequel meant nothing. BeyondSuperman III, none of the subsequent films released over the past 40 years, from the disastrous 1987 installment,Superman IV: The Quest for Peaceto the 2013 reboot filmMan of Steel, possess a clear understanding of the particular qualities of the first twoSupermanfilms, especiallySuperman II, which is still regarded as arguably thebest film within the seriesand will likely never be equaled.Superman IIis streaming onMax.
