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The Ultimate Superman Collection
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A look at the most impressive comic adaptation to date
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Superman – The Movie (1978)
With a flawless and beloved cast this movie took on the entire origin of one of the greatest heroes in the DC Universe. An overwhelming task which was accomplished with a rare sophistication especially for movies adapted from comic books. Superman tells the story of the desperate final moments of Krypton, followed by Clark Kent’s easy-paced idyllic childhood in Smallville and his adult immersion into Metropolis where he takes on his first adventures as the Man of Steel. At which point, the character transitions from his shy early adventures and steps into his role as a hero squaring off against an impressive arch enemy. There are several short stories told in Superman the Movie, but this is not an anthology. The tales follow each other seamlessly… building off the others’ strengths and developing a single vision that stands on its own merits while staying true the source materials. Even if it’s not the general favorite of the franchise, it is easily the best to date. Twenty-eight years later the effects remain innovative, the story interesting, the characters enjoyable and the cast completely untouchable.
Superman II (1980)
There aren’t many sequels that have lived up to the quality of the original. Superman II is rare in that it is a completely different kind of film than Superman the Movie, but at the same time it has a solid connection to the parent flick. Picking up the seeds thrown out in terms of story and character, Superman II starts at a running pace and never looses its steam. It is more adventurous than the first one… exchanging humor for action. The toe to toe battle scenes are legendary. However, one of the most impressive accomplishments of the film was actually in the super-power free moments where Clark Kent walks away from all of Superman’s gifts in exchange for a simpler life. The depth of this error… the uncomfortably of trying to project happiness while realizing the magnitude of his mistake is projected subtly yet in a manner that the audience can not miss and can not help but experience along with him.
If I could change anything at all about Superman II, it would simply be this: remove the resolution scene where Kent goes back to the snowbound truck-stop to fight the guy that humiliated him earlier in the film. That guy at the truck stop taught Clark Kent a defining lesson, but I doubt that the same can be said for the bully after the second scuffle. Besides, the last son of Krypton doesn’t have to win every fight to come out on top. The only thing every person, apparently even Superman, has in common is pain. It connects us and how we deal with it (in ourselves and others) defines who we are. To act out against a carried grudge seemed beneath Superman as if it belittled his nobility somehow. It was a fun scene. But it’s man... Man would want to go back to an injustice and spin it around and around on a diner stool at super-speed until there was a satisfaction that restored pride. Superman should be above that.
I like to imagine him living with the loss of that fight. The knowledge that the only foe that ever truly beat him was an average everyday person. The kind of person he has dedicated his life to protect. I think it’d be beautiful.
On a completely different note, has anyone else noticed that Cheer’s John Ratzenberger had an amazing career before he became famous as Cliff Clavin? Between Superman I & II, the Empire Strikes Back and Ghandi… the guy’s got to have some amazing stories to tell.
Superman III (1983)
The guilty pleasure of the series.
Richard Pryor plays a struggling computer genius who designs a computer program which takes fractions of cents left over from interest accruals and transfers them to a dummy account. That set up alone could carry a film. Everything that happens in addition is just a nice bonus.
This film set out to bring back the humor that made the first film so lovable. Maybe that wasn’t the wisest decision to take a step back, but it was a nice change of pace.
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
I can see how it would seem like the only way to get the series back on track was to get Gene Hackman to play Lex Luthor again. As per usual, Hackman was great. Clearly the rest of the returning cast were comfortable in their roles as well. It was good to see them all together again if only for a moment, but nothing else about this film worked. The story was weak and the effects were unusually bad. As much as I loved Duckie Dale… Jon Cryer wasn’t up to par with Ned Batey or Richard Pryor. Mind you, he’s not the worst aspect of this film, but he’s over the top and hard to ignore.
Superman IV: the Quest for Peace is a train-wreck with no endearing values. Best to pretend like it never happened.
Superman Returns (2006)
Five years have passed.
In that time Superman has gone to space to learn more about his home world. While he was away Metropolis has grown into something much more beautiful, Lex Luthor has shed his sinister charms for something less memorable yet slightly more dangerous and Lois Lane switched to decaf… a transition that seems to have dulled every single aspect of her personality. Truly the only people that seem aware of the former selves are the man of steel and his pal Jimmy Olsen.
The story begins in the spirit of the original films. It is charming, exciting, funny and nostalgic. The subtle highlights of the early part of the film include a powerful image of the newly returned Clark Kent watching various world news reports and a brutal reenactment of the cataclysmic climax to the first Superman movie played out on a model train table… These may be my favorite images of the entire series. But soon after his awesome first adventure, the film fades into mediocrity.
You’ve seen its thrilling conclusion before… it’s visually stunning, over the top and on a mission to prove that comics ain’t just for kids anymore. It’s just like every other adaptation out there. It could have been better.
Clearly though, this is a transitional film. The purpose of which was to reignite an abandoned franchise. That much is accomplished beautifully. It leaves an open end for an amazing sequel that could involve the fortress of solitude’s lost crystals and, hopefully, Brainiac. If that happens, it means they’re just getting started here. I believe that this movie could only be more likable as the story unfolds.
Until then, old school fans should be warned: if you liked the Phantom Menace, you’ll probably like Superman Returns. Otherwise, consider sticking with the Bruce Timm adventures until the release of the Man of Steel.
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