director: Richard Donner
writers: David and Leslie Newman, Tom Mankiewicz
starring: Christoper Reeve, Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder
genre: Action, Comics
We continue our comic madness with Superman II, the definitive Superman film till now. And I'm talking about the Richard Donner directors cut, not the campy Richard Lester version. The sequel raises the stakes, continues themes from the first film and manages to have some very powerful filmaking and action scenes.
Story follows the events of the first film with a lengthy recap. The imprisonment of the 3 deadly Kryptonians General Zod, Ursa and Non in the Phantom Zone. Floating in space, trapped the 3 prisoners are freed by the missile explosion in space from the first film. Free they see Earth and the chance again of ruling with their new powers. With their arrival to Earth, Superman faces the hardest challenge he will ever face. With imminent threat, luck will not be with him. As they the biggest threat will arrive to Earth, Superman will all ready be facing his other greatest challenge of remaining to be Superman or being in love.
What makes the film so much greater than the previous is its deep emotional story. What Superman has to go through is the ultimate challenge for himself. Its not the just the question why cant anybody beat Superman but what if Superman chose love before his duty? In the film he has that choice to make. A life like his stepfather envisioned for him with Lois or a life of solitude and commitment his real father Jor-El had wanted for him. Its a story with depth which the first film lacked and is only made better with a powerful scene in a diner to illustrate Superman undone and the incredible performance of Christopher Reeve.
But besides the serious stuff the action is also way above as well. Now punches are thrown, cool action scenes are shot and many more. Also another positive factor is the loss of Lex Luthor's sidekicks and his new interactions with the 3 criminal Kryptonians. Its just movie magic seeing Luthor con his way into getting Australia.
I enjoyed Superman II immensely. Its not perfect, it has some continuity issues and a repetitive ending mirroring the first film. Also the film has some terrible shots of a New York skyline at times which are quite noticeable. As if they didn't know the film is supposed to be a fictional place called Metropolis with no known landmarks. But even with that this is the best Superman film made that needs your attention.
"Come and kneel before Zod" - General Zod
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