SUPERMAN IV (1987)

Featuring: Christopher Reeve; Gene Hackman; Margot Kidder

Director: Sidney J Furie

Whereas Superman III was a bit of a derailment, with Superman IV the series is back on track. Most of the original cast is back too, including Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor. Over the years I have seen many versions of this character in other derivatives of the Superman saga but no one did it justice like him.

This film then also kicks off with Lex Luthor escaping from custody with the help of his dimwitted nephew, hilariously portrayed by none other than Two and a half Men's Jon Cryer. Soon afterwards Lex is approached by some weapons dealers with the request that he helps them doing away with Superman. This is because the latter vowed to rid the earth of all nuclear weapons. And in order to achieve this, Lex creates his own secret weapon: Nuclear Man who has to challenge and destroy the Man of Steel.

As mentioned, this third sequel is a vast improvement on the previous one. The story, though still completely fantastical, is much more coherent and at least makes sense, especially the battle scene on the moon. And Mariel Hemingway makes a delightful addition to the now familiar cast.

I can again give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz_hbAXqWXg

 Superman meets Nuclear Man

SUPERMAN III (1983)

Featuring: Christopher Reeve; Richard Pryor; Robert Vaughn

Director: Richard Lester

Critics had nothing good to say about this second sequel in the Superman series and with good reason. I previously mentioned that the somewhat woody acting style used in these movies was done consciously in order to create on screen the same atmosphere as portrayed in the comic books. But for this one they went too far. It is almost as if the director could not make up his mind as far as genre is concerned. Is it satire or is it comedy? Should you take it serious or tongue in the cheek?

And the story line is just as daft. In an attempt to get rid of Superman (Christopher Reeve) villain Robert Vaughn with the help of a computer genius (Richard Pryor) unwittingly turns good boy Clark Kent into Bad Man of Steel. Worse even, they are pitted in a battle against each other.

Even with the addition of veteran comedic actor Richard Pryor this movie is a bust. It is one of those movies that should never have made it to the big screen and came out on video directly.

It therefore deserves no more that 2 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7qo4Iy0ULk

 

Clark Kent vs Superman 

SUPERMAN II (1981)

Featuring: Christopher Reeve; Margot Kidder; Gene Hackman

Director: Richard Lester

Watching these early superhero movies one cannot but realize how far movie-making technology has come. Measured against today's standards, some of the special effects used in these earlier films seem rather crude. But of course way back then nobody even thought that one day there will be such a thing as CGI which would eventually revolutionize the entire industry.

During the opening scenes of Superman I we saw three Krytonian criminals being banished to the phantom zone for their dastardly deeds. This second edition begins with terrorists threatening the world with a nuclear bomb. However, when Superman flies off with it so that it can harmlessly detonate in space, the explosion sets the three captives free. Realizing what powers they suddenly have, the leader, General Zod, decides to go and conquer and rule the nearest planet which just happens to be Earth. Little do they know that the only other Kryptonian in the universe resides on this very same planet and at some stage they would inevitably clash.

As Superman I & II were shot simultaneously, most of the characters and cast also appear in this first sequel. It is only Marlon Brando who is missing in action. I found the story quite gripping and worth the watch. Some might find the style of acting a bit odd but apparently it was done so deliberately in order to recreate the atmosphere depicted in the comic books.

I rate Superman II at 3 out of 5 stars as well.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxD8RlGnP64

 

The three villains from Krypton  

SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE (1978)

Featuring: Christopher Reeve; Margot Kidder

Director: Richard Donner

Superman was the first successful comic based superhero movie. After the dismal failure of the 1966 Batman movie (with TV star Adam West) the Hollywood studios were a bit skeptic if this type of flick could ever succeed on the big screen. According to them cinema audiences were not quite susceptible for this type of film. Besides, the technical requirements to make a man fly on screen and make it look real, simply did not exist at the time. In the end it take two Polish-Mexican producers, father and son team Alexander and Ilya Salkind to convince the studio bosses otherwise. And the rest, as they say, is history...

By now the story of the Man of Steel who came from the planet Krypton is so over familiar that it will be totally superfluous to repeat it here. But what is worth mentioning is the impressive ensemble cast the producers were able to gather for this movie. With names like Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman (to name but a few) it is clear that they firmly believed in the potential success of their project. And not only did it bestow luster on the venture, it gave it actual legitimacy. No wonder then that the Superman franchise can today boast with true cult status.

Overall I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWHyvubVdPA

 Strong little fella, ain't he?

JURASSIC WORLD (2015)

Featuring: Chris Pratt; Bryce Dallas Howard; Ty Simpkins; Nick Robinson

Director: Colin Trevorrow

It's been more than ten years in the making but 'Jurassic Park 4' finally saw the light of day in 2015, albeit in the guise of Jurassic World. Steven Spielberg again executive produced the film with Chris Pratt (Guardians Of The Galaxy) leading an almost all new cast. The only returning member from previously is DB Wong who resumes his role as head scientist of the dinosaur-revival-programme, Dr Henry Wu.

It's been twenty two years since the initial disastrous attempts to launch the pre-historic theme park. In the meantime someone got it actually going and it became a huge success, attracting tens of thousands of excited visitors. But as expected, something goes wrong somewhere and everything goes haywire...again.

Although not the main theme of the movie, it does pose an interesting question: what would happen if man seeks to play God just once too often? And after watching this movie I guess we have an answer... Be that as it may, this forth addition in the Jurassic series is just as action packed as before and the special effects even more spectacular. The relatively young cast also does a stellar job.

So, I rate this one 3 out of 5 stars as well.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFinNxS5KN4

The director and cast.