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Superman II
1980 127 min United Kingdom, United States of America PG 18+
★7.1
Science Fiction, Action, Adventure
Director: Richard Lester, Richard Donner
Trailers
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Description
Three Kryptonian criminals led by General Zod team up with Lex Luthor to conquer Earth, forcing a depowered Superman to regain his strength and stop them.
Budget:
$54M
US Gross:
$108.19M
Worldwide:
$216.39M
Starring
Gene Hackman
Actor
Christopher Reeve
Actor
Margot Kidder
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 1982
— Best Science Fiction Film
Saturn Awards 1982
— Best Actor
Saturn Awards 1982
— Best Actress
Saturn Awards 1982
— Best Original Score
Key opinion
Superman II is widely regarded as a successful and entertaining sequel that effectively expands on the lore of the original film. While the production was marred by a contentious change in directors, the resulting film remains a cohesive superhero staple anchored by Christopher Reeve’s enduring performance.
| Acting | Christopher Reeve delivers a consistent and balanced performance that anchors the emotional stakes of the film. | |
| Originality | The introduction of General Zod and his Kryptonian followers provides a formidable and memorable physical threat compared to the first film. | |
| Theme | The film succeeds in balancing high-stakes superhero action with an intimate, character-driven romance between Clark and Lois. | |
| Direction | The directorial shift from Richard Donner to Richard Lester created a tonal divide, leading to debate over whether the resulting humor is charmingly lighthearted or awkwardly forced. | |
| Acting | The portrayal of Lex Luthor divides viewers, with some finding his comedic approach entertaining and others viewing the performance as a bumbling, unserious caricature. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing is criticized by some for being excessively long and burdened by unnecessary recaps, while others find the narrative flow and action sequences well-distributed. |