Common Sense Note
This sequel to the 1978 live-action film is heads and shoulders above the original. Witty and fast-paced, a playful sense of humor pervades this superhero saga. Excellent acting and tight direction more than compensate for special effects that have dated badly since the movie's release. School-age kids respond to both the action and the sympathetic portrait of the nerdy Clark Kent. Although they'll be repelled by the primitive-looking special effects, preteens respond well to the flippant humor and fast pace. They're also able to comprehend Superman's "sacrifice" for love. Teen and older viewers enjoy the movie's irreverent attitude towards many hallmarks of the Man of Steel mythos, while also appreciating the "date" between Lois and Clark. This film does, however, deal with mature themes of world domination, crime, love, heroism, sacrifice.
Families may want to discuss what they value most in life and what they would sacrifice for it. What would they do in Superman's shoes?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Ed Grant
The most entertaining and exciting live-action Superman adventure, Superman II delivers plenty of slam-bang action, a hearty dose of amusing sight gags, and a wonderfully endearing take on our hero's love life. Top-notch scripting and direction elevate Superman II head and shoulders above other depictions of the Man of Steel, with the exception of the later WB animated series.
In this film, three treasonous villains from Krypton who have been serving a prison sentence are set free by a chance hydrogen bomb blast.
Meanwhile, Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) realizes that her timid coworker Clark Kent (Christopher Reeve) is actually Superman. Superman takes her to his Fortress of Solitude retreat in the Antarctic to celebrate (and consummate) their love. Per Kryptonian law, he gives up his superpowers when he consummates his relationship.
It's soon apparent that he picked a terrible time to do so, as the Kryptonian supervillians take over a town and proclaim their dominion over Earth.
Superman returns to the Fortress to restore his powers, and then battles the trio, who are now being advised by Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) who has escaped his own prison sentence. After the trio smash most of Metropolis, they are outwitted by Superman, who chooses to retain his powers despite his love for Lois.
The major failing of Superman was its emphasis on "preliminaries" -- an extended origin story, sketching of the central characters, and a delineation of our hero's superpowers. Superman II cuts to the chase by introducing the cast of supervillains right away (the trio were briefly seen in the preceding movie).
Also, writers (including Godfather author Mario Puzo) thankfully dispose of the more irritating problems concerning Superman's private life -- the fact that no one ever figures out that Clark Kent is really Superman wearing horn-rims (when Lois realizes this, she notes the obviousness of the whole situation), and that it takes too long for Lois and Superman to do anything about their mutual attraction (the two got much more serious -- over time -- on the subsequent TV series Lois and Clark). The latter is handled here rather deftly, as it entails a major sacrifice in Superman's life, and is quite a major step for both he and Lois.
The key elements distinguishing Superman II are its whimsical sense of humor and excellent pacing. One can see the hand of director Richard Lester (A Hard Day's Night) at work throughout (although it was reported that many sequences were actually shot by Superman director Richard Donner).
Kids won't be impressed with the movie's special effects, which seem terribly antiquated. However, the incredible amount of destruction wrought by the villains delights young action fans, and the charming way in which both Superman and his nerdy alter-ego Clark Kent are fleshed out draws kids into the story. Younger viewers who like this incarnation of Superman also enjoy Superman: The Last Son of Krypton; those who enjoy the city-trashing section love Godzilla Vs. Megalon.
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Sexual ContentLois and Clark's "interlude" is discreetly presented. |
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ViolenceLois is nearly crushed to death. Superman undergoes a creepy-looking change (with muscles and skeleton visible) when he sacrifices his powers for Lois. Younger viewers might be disturbed when the powerless Clark Kent is bested by a roadside bully, resulting in a bloody nose. Superman has several encounters with villains, the most notable being his battle with the trio from Krypton, which leaves much of Metropolis destroyed. Not many casualties are viewed, with the exception of a snake who is burnt, and a little boy who receives the same treatment (offscreen) for trying to warn authorities about the trio's threat. |
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Social BehaviorSuperman wins the day by lying to Lex Luthor and the Kryptonian supervillains (knowing that Luthor's pledge to not reveal a secret was, in itself, a lie). |
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