Superman II

If the first Superman made us believe a man could fly, this sequel showed us that even the greatest hero can lose everything. Superman II is not just the best film of the Reeve era — it’s arguably the best Superman film ever made. And it’s not just because of the action, or the arrival of General Zod and his crew. It’s because this movie has heart.

It starts strong and never lets go. From the opening, with the silent trial of Zod, Ursa, and Non, to the climactic battle in Metropolis, there's something more here than spectacle. There’s emotion, drama, difficult choices, and moments when you truly doubt Superman will make it through. In that sense, it has more in common than it seems with The Empire Strikes Back, another legendary sequel where evil appears to win.

Christopher Reeve is perfect. No one has ever balanced Clark Kent and Superman as effortlessly as he did. His vulnerability in this chapter — giving up his powers for love — humanizes him without weakening the character. He bleeds, he suffers, he makes mistakes… and that’s exactly why he moves us.

Yes, the dual direction between Richard Donner and Richard Lester creates a few tonal inconsistencies, but overall, it works. There’s humor, but also real emotional weight. The Metropolis showdown remains iconic, and Superman’s return after his seeming defeat is a goosebumps moment.

The villains, especially Terence Stamp as Zod, are among the best in superhero cinema. Elegant, merciless, and unforgettable — that “Kneel before Zod!” line is now immortal.

Superman II is one of those rare sequels that not only holds up but often surpasses the original. It’s got heart, scale, and an irreplaceable Reeve. Henry Cavill did a fine job, but the definitive Superman already has a name — and it will always be Christopher Reeve.

Despite Superman being able to erase memories with a kiss. Or throwing his “S” at people. Superman 2 is an almost solid sequel.
Some say the Richard Donner version promised to be superior. To me Lois comes off more psycho in that version. Throwing herself out the Daily Planet high floor window. Hoping Clark would turn into Superman and save her.
Yes, is even crazier than throwing herself in a wild river hoping he’d save her. Since there’s more of a chance in surviving that without Superman’s help. Incase she was wrong.
One deleted scene from the Richard Lester version that was cut out. Is darker than anything in a Snyder Superman movie. That you might have seen on television in the 80’s.
Involves around a kid named Willie riding a horse to get help from Zod and friends. Zod orders Non to kill him, which he does with an explosive throw of a police siren.
Ursa savagely replies to a woman saying “he was just a boy” with “he will never be a man.” That version is messed up and hasn’t been seen in years.

Three baddies from Krypton versus Superman. A spectacular duel.

'Superman II' is a more rounded affair, though is no more entertaining than the first film - I enjoyed both the same, more or less. Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder remain as watchable as before, but Gene Hackman isn't as memorable in this follow-up - still good, mind.

I like how we got to see extra of Zod, Ursa and Non in this one, if only to see more of Terence Stamp - who I've only really seen later in his career, he's terrific in 2011's 'The Adjustment Bureau'. Sarah Douglas and Jack O'Halloran as the other two characters are decent.

A perfectly solid sequel, you can't ask for much more than that.

“So this is planet Houston”

Definitely in my opinion this sequel is actually better than the first film I just enjoyed it so much more the comedy was even better in this ,I can’t believe how silly the old superman films are you literally can’t take them seriously at all.

Christopher Reeves was amazing again as superman and his connection with Lois grew throughout the film.

General Zod, ursa and Don made this film as great as it was although they were absolutely ridiculous like I couldn’t stop laughing with noises they was making especially Don he was hilarious.

They thought earth was called Houston like they were so retarded and where they named Lex ruler of Australia they don’t even have a clue what that is probably think it’s another planet.
“Lex Luthor, ruler of Australia, activate the machine”.

The highlight was the part where the civilians thought they killed superman and they wanted wanted revenge 😅 but the Kryptonion’s just started using there wind power against them it felt that scene was like 30 minutes and not in a bad way was so funny with the way they was acting aswell like people still on the phone while being blown away and a man still standing there with a sign very over the top stupidness but class.

While this for me is a big upgrade from the original there some stupid plot holes like superman deciding to give up his powers to be with Louis then after finding out Zod was earth he immediately wanted them back and after it was said that it couldn’t be undone he literally just went to the fortress and straight away got them back I know you can’t take this film seriously but come on lol 😂

Also how did Lex even know Clark had a fortress that wasn’t even explained he just found it easily aswell.

Even though there’s still a few things I would of changed it didn’t effect my enjoyment of it this time would say probably 8/10

**_Superman II: Bigger, Better, Must-Watch!_**

Superman II is an awesome movie and a great addition to the classic series. In many ways, it’s even better than the first one. The action is bigger and more exciting, and the new villains are really strong, making the story even more thrilling to watch.

Christopher Reeve is amazing once again as Superman. He brings so much heart to the role, and his performance makes you care about both Superman and his struggles as Clark Kent. The movie does a great job showing more about his life and the challenges of being both a hero and a regular person. This adds a lot of emotion to the story.

The battles and action scenes are very memorable and fun to watch. They keep you entertained and make the movie even more exciting. The plot is engaging, and it keeps you interested throughout.

Superman II not only continues the story but also makes it even better. It builds on the first movie in a way that feels bigger and more emotional. This movie stands out as one of the best in the series and is a must-watch for any fan of Superman.

**RATING ==8/10==**
Superman II takes the story to the next level with more action and emotion. It’s one of the top movies in the series and a great choice for any Superman or superhero fan.

I enjoyed this new cut of Superman II and found it to be a lot different than the "Lester" version. It remains a corny movie to be sure but I was quite impressed with the street fight in New York between Superman and the three baddies. Gene Hackman is just the best here as criminal mastermind Lex Luthor and Christopher Reeve is most enjoyable when he is playing the clumsy Clark Kent. The HD DVD version makes the dated special effects look even more dated

One of the most beloved superhero films ever made, _Superman II_ delivers an exciting adventure that would set the bar for a generation. When three Kryptonian criminals are freed from their prison they come to Earth seeking world domination, and only Superman can stop them. Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, and Gene Hackman return and give excellent performances. Hackman is especially good, and owns ever scene he’s in. However, director Richard Lester ups the camp factor and interjects a lot of broad comedy that cheapens the film. But the action and fight scenes overcome the cheesy humor. Terrifically entertaining and action-packed, _Superman II_ is the rare sequel that outdoes the original. “Kneel before Zod!”

Slightly less good than the first one, it is still a good movie. Just like the first one though, it has not aged very well. If you can watch it with the eyes of the time though, it is a really good movie.

Watching “Superman II” in 2024 feels like revisiting a classic that, somehow, has managed to keep its charm, even with all the technological and narrative advancements that superhero movies have gone through over the decades. The film picks up right where the first “Superman” from 1978 left off, and it doesn’t waste time recapping the basics, aside from a quick summary at the beginning. It dives straight into the action and emotional conflicts surrounding the hero.

The story here follows a simple premise: Superman (once again played perfectly by Christopher Reeve) has to face three Kryptonian villains led by General Zod (Terrence Stamp), who escape their interdimensional prison to conquer Earth. But what makes “Superman II” stand out isn’t just the epic showdown between the Man of Steel and these powerful villains, but how it digs deeper into the more human, vulnerable sides of the hero.

One of the most interesting aspects of the movie is how it develops the relationship between Clark Kent, Superman, and Lois Lane. The tension between Clark’s secret identity and Lois’ love has always been a central theme, but here, it gets a lot more depth. Lois is determined to prove that Clark is really Superman, and she has some of the funniest and smartest scenes in the movie, like when she throws herself into the Niagara Falls rapids, hoping Clark will save her. This moment, full of humor and tension, really captures the lighthearted yet grand spirit of the movie.

The romance between Lois and Superman also makes significant progress. After years of flirting and unspoken desire, we finally see them consummate their love, although in a pretty subtle way. But this relationship comes at a high price for Superman, as he loses his powers temporarily in order to choose love. This dilemma adds a rich emotional layer to the story, as the hero has to give up his very essence to live a “normal” love life. Clark’s vulnerability, now without his powers, makes him even more relatable, showing that even the greatest heroes have to make sacrifices.

The change in direction is also noticeable. Richard Lester replaced Richard Donner, and this resulted in a lighter, more humorous tone compared to the original film. Lester brings his signature touch of satire and humor, balancing the epic moments with more laid-back, fun scenes. Gene Hackman, as Lex Luthor, takes full advantage of this tonal shift, delivering an even more over-the-top performance. Hackman brings a kind of humor to the villain that ultimately lessens his threat, which is one of the major flaws in Lester’s direction.

Of course, the film wouldn’t be complete without its grand action sequences. The battles between Superman and the villains in Metropolis are spectacular for the time, with buses being thrown around, buildings getting destroyed, and crowds of civilians watching the chaos unfold. The charm here lies in how the film seamlessly integrates the fantastic into everyday life, something that’s at the core of Superman’s essence. The reactions from the “ordinary citizens” to the chaos around them add a touch of realism and humor to the spectacle.

What sets “Superman II” apart from so many other superhero films, though, is how it explores the duality between Superman and Clark Kent. It’s more than just a physical difference—the real distinction is in their mental attitude. Clark is the everyday guy, the quiet journalist that no one suspects of being Earth’s greatest hero. And this almost feels like a metaphor for all of us, suggesting that behind every ordinary person, there could be something extraordinary waiting to be revealed.

Technically speaking, the special effects in “Superman II” might seem pretty outdated today, especially compared to the hyper-realistic superhero films we have now (or had a few years ago). But they work within the context of the time, and more importantly, they never take away from the characters or the emotions the film wants to convey.

“Superman II” is a film that balances action, romance, and humor in a way that few movies manage to do. Even though it has its flaws, like some less-polished effects or moments of uneven pacing, the charisma of the actors and the emotional depth make those flaws easy to forgive. More than 40 years later, it still stands as a landmark in the superhero genre, showing that even in the most epic moments, what really captivates us is the humanity behind the hero.