Summer Binge Watch — Superman


We just got through Comic-Con, where the biggest trailer, and most buzzed about project, is the upcoming "Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice." Earlier this summer I looked at Batman's modern history on the screen, and today it's all about the other caped crusader. This is limited to films — of which there are six since the 1970s.

1. Superman Returns (2006)
About: This is probably a controversial choice, and I acknowledge that. Many didn't care for Bryan Singer's take on the Man of Steel. I, however, loved it. I thought it was a beautiful film that had a lot to say about the nature of saviors. I've taught this film about a dozen times in film classes, and I always see something different. It had the unfortunate experience of coming out after "Batman Begins," having a radically different tone, and falling a bit flat. I understand the argument that it's a little long, but I don't agree. And, to me, Superman stories should have a different, lighter tone than Batman stories. I think this is an incredibly underrated film, and the best cinematic version of Superman.
Rating: PG-13 for some intense action violence
Verdict: Four stars out of four.

2. Superman II (1980)
About: It's probably a bit of a toss up between Richard Donner's two Superman films, but I lean toward this sequel. I think the story is more dynamic, and the battle between Superman (Christopher Reeve) and Zod (Terrance Stamp) is iconic. There are a lot of iconic moments in this film, and I think the story is much more rich and engaging. It is the events of this film that are meant to serve as the immediate set up to the events in "Superman Returns."
Rating: PG
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

3. Superman (1978)
About: The world was a lot different when Donner created the modern cinematic "Superman," but this film works well. Reeve is great in the lead role, and Gene Hackman does a nice job as Lex Luthor — a part he'd play two more times. There are a number of iconic scenes in this film, and some of what was filmed with Marlon Brando for this film was actually used in "Superman Returns." This set the blueprint for much of what was to come.
Rating: PG for peril, some mild sensuality and language
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

4. Man of Steel (2013)
About: Oh how I wanted to like this film. "Man of Steel" represents a complete re-boot of the world, and lays the foundation for the next wave of inter-connected D.C. Comics films. I have liked some of Zack Snyder's films in the past, but I thought "Man of Steel" missed the mark. There were some great moments, and I actually thought the ending set up the potential for some more interesting movies going forward. But the action in "Man of Steel" is, perhaps, a little too intense and pervasive. And the controversial ending certainly takes this Superman tale into much darker territory. I thought this was a bit of a mild misfire, and a summer disappointment.
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence, action and destruction, and for some language.
Verdict: Two stars out of four.

5. Superman III (1983)
About: This is where the original "Superman" franchise started to go off the rails. In is Richard Pryor and a computer scheme that is probably more famous as a part of the plot of "Office Space" than its role in this film. Out is Lois Lane (Margo Kidder), as this film features Clark Kent making a return to Smallville and picking up things with Lana Lang (Annette O'Toole). This movie is a little too goofy to be good. It's not the worst of the "Superman" films, but it's certainly not up to par with the first two.
Rating: PG
Verdict: Two stars out of four.

6. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
About: This movie is an embarrassment. Whenever one of these kind of films gets turned into a political statement, as opposed to just being a film, bad things happen. That's certainly the case with "Superman IV," which is about ending the Nuclear Arms Race. This came at the end of the Cold War, and it's nothing but a PSA for peace. This film is best forgotten when it comes to Superman movie binges.
Rating: PG
Verdict: Zero stars out of four.

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