What better way to prepare for the upcoming "Man of Steel" than to watch Christopher Reeve's portrayal of "Superman" in his 4 film saga and even "Superman Returns?" Overall these films are great. To rate this serious of films as a whole I would give it 4 out of 5 Popcorns.
The 1978 "Superman" commences with Clark Kent, played by Christopher Reeve, being sent to earth from the alien planet of Krypton.
The atmospheric change gives Clark Kent powers beyond what humans posses, creating "Superman." The best part of this Superman is that he's charismatic and hopeful.
The best part of this film is how inspirational Reeves play superman. Through this superman humanity is seen as inherently good and superman needs to surpass that since he is more than human.
Living in Metropolis Clark Kent, Superman's alter ego, encounters Lex Luthor, played by Gene Hackman, who's evil plans will affect everyone in Metropolis.
While Clark works at the Daily Planet he meets Lois Lane, played by Margot Kidder, a reporter with a passion for news and a nose for trouble.
The family oriented movie creates a superhero that is truly beyond human. The story is well constructed and amazes with the manner it is constructed, for the time period in which it was made.
Hackman played a great genius adversary for the man of steel. The devious crime he tries to commit continue to propel his malicious intelligence.
This film alone is a 5 out of 5 Popcorns. Reeve embodies the All-American country boy from Kansas and portrays the "American Way" ideals well. Superman's opponent need not be superhuman to be able to fight back as this film proves.
"Superman II" sees Superman, played by Christopher Reeve again, encounter opponents that share his krytonian background.
General Zod, played by Terence Stamp, combats superman along side his two partners. These opponents seem to be too much for superman to handle especially as Lex Luthor, played by Gene Hackman, is back to cause trouble.
The relationship between Superman and Lois Lane, played by Margot Kidder, continues to grow and gets exploited as yet another weakness for Superman.
This film is a 4 out of 5 Popcorns. It's a good sequel advancing the difficulty of adversaries for the man of steel and bringing the past into Superman's present. Reeve once again continues to portray a very uplifting superhero. Superman is more humanize in this film and bring together both his human side an krytonian side nicely.
"Superman III" comes with a more comical approach as Superman's opponent is a supercomputer, Gus Gorman, played by Richard Pryor, and himself.
Fighting a supercomputer, constructed by Gus, seems to be much more difficult than anything Superman had faced, even three super Kryptonians.
Having him split into two by red kryptonite, Clark Kent, played by Christopher Reeve, and evil Superman square off having to face his strongest opponent yet.
I give this movie a 4 out of 5 Popcorns. The acting in this is funny and upbeat. This different approach to Superman gives a new perspective. Reeve does a great job of being both good and evil. Pryor does an amazing performance that is both diabolical and hilarious. Over all a good film to watch.
"Superman IV: The Quest for Peace" brings Lex Luthor, played by Gene Hackman, back to present an even greater threat to Superman, played by Christopher Reeve. With nuclear weapons on the forefront of the storyline Superman looks to disarm the world and bring peace.
The genius that Lex is, he takes advantage of the man of steel and, with the unknowing aid of Superman, creates an opponent more powerful than anything Superman has encountered before, Nuclear Man.
Superman is in for the fight of his life as he battles an opponent that matches up with him ever step of the way.
I give this film a 5 out of 5 Popcorns. It's the cheesiest Superman that Reeve does but the elements of the story work well. This is the first time that superman is ever in any great danger and it brings doubt to the capacity that the man of steel has. Hackman is back and is just incredible. The manner in which he portrays Lex is just terrifying.
And then there's "Superman Returns" which sets Superman, played by Brandon Routh, years later, after a journey of self discovery, and puts him up against an even more diabolical Lex Luthor, played by Kevin Spacey.
This film sets up Superman as a more fragile mind with a strong body. It makes Lex have to step up his game and take things to a whole new level.
From the beginning of the film Lois Lane, played by Kate Bosworth, has an uneasy feel and is just strange.
I give this film a 3 out of 5 Popcorns. The whole film seems flawed and really never gets to the level of excitement that has come to be expected of a superhero film. Superman does not seem larger than life but yet fails to be relatable. Spacey never comes close to being the amazing Lex that Gene Hackman set up in prior films. The film just falls short of being great.
With so many hit and miss films in the past it is difficult to predict how "Man of Steel" will be. Look out for a review of "Man of Steel" coming soon.
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