Written by: Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman
Starring: Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Marlon Brando, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper, Sarah Douglas
Rating: [3/5]
Love can make people make the craziest of decisions. Even something as wild as giving up the very powers used to save others. Definitely an approach of focusing on the individual rather than the collective, which gets our protagonist in hot water in Superman II. A step down from the famous original but still maintaining its own merit dispute the well-known issues surrounding the production making for different cuts.
With the growing suspicion of Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) figuring out he’s Superman, Clark Kent (Christopher Reeve) decides to reveal the truth and offers to give it all away to be with her. Something she appreciates but comes at the same time as General Zod (Terrance Stamp) and his group make it to Earth after escaping from the prison they were put in by Clark’s biological father back in Krypton.
Following the magical experience of Superman: The Movie, this feature brings back the entire crew for another adventure except for seeing Zod and his crew shipped off, they have reached Earth and plan to wreak some havoc. They see Earth as an easily conquerable planet and judging by the powers they receive from the sun much like with Clark, they have the supernatural ability to utilize the same powers. This presents a more dangerous foe for Kent as compared to Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), who can certainly outthink him but cannot compare in hand-to-hand combat unless some Krpytnoite gets thrown into the mix.
An interesting aspect of this feature comes from these Kryptonians seemingly having the ability to shut off their powers all of a sudden. Kryptonite certainly has a damaging effect, but as explored in the film, Kent has a machine at the Fortress of Solitude where he can remove his powers and make himself mortal on Earth. Then the feature gets into the territory of just adding powers to Superman never discussed before but gets utilized whenever convenient. It makes the list of everything Superman can do quite exorbitant as a result where seemingly no limit exists. Heck, in the first film, he managed to turn back time to save the person he loves and it continues to expand. Partly, it’s understandable because what limits should be placed on someone like Superman? But to add any level of stakes to the story a limit must exist.
With the introductions out of the way for Clark and Lois, this feature certainly delves deeper into what a relationship between them could look like. They have an affection for each other and in this narrative, they receive the opportunity to act upon it. Something we all knew would occur eventually and with all of the build-up, we finally receive the potential between them from the start. A love has existed between them and Clark presents the opportunity to do away with everything he does for the rest of humanity just to be with her. Quite the romantic gesture but something perhaps she should not accept as an offer. Having this all take place while Zod and his crew ran roughshod on the planet and even threatened the President of the United States takes a little shine on it all and demonstrates the selfishness Kent has demonstrated on multiple occasions as Superman.
With the events transpiring in the first feature where it relies on Superman flying around on his own but not as much engaging with other people there. With facing Zod, these aerial duels take place really pushing what they could capture in this feature and it mostly handles it all well. Certainly dated but when compared to what possibilities existed with the technology at the time, once again this team did it by crafting some decent action sequences between Superman and his new adversaries.
Very much a step down in quality across the board in its screenplay and direction, Superman II has several elements to still enjoy. It asks large questions about what life could look like as a mortal Clark Kent as well as demonstrating a particular strain of selfishness and vindictiveness running through this Superman in the activities he engages in and how it impacts others. Something intriguing to explore through his progression as a character making for a decent sequel overall.
Films with Josh 
