Sunday Best: Superman Movies
Superman is not only an American icon,
but he has a long history with film in various franchises. Of
course, some movies were more successful than others.
I have added two animated movies to the
list. I only included them because Superman was the only bill
(unlike a Justice League movie). I also chose not to include the
atrocious Supergirl (made by one of my favorite directors Jenotte
Szcwarc) because even though he is mentioned, Superman never shows
up.
So here are the best Superman movies
from worst to greatest
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
-Someone once said that the iron clad
rule of sequels is that only the last one loses money. I don't see
how that couldn't be true for this mistake of a film. Everything
about it is stale and wrong. I am embarresed by the fact that I saw
this twice in the theater as a child. And I read the novelization ofthe movie.
Superman III
-By now there is almost universal
acknowledgment that making Richard Pryor the top bill of a Superman
movie was a horrible mistake. I mean, just look at that poster... I mean... ugh! I mean next thing you know they'll make a Judge Dredd movie with a horribly out-of-place comedic sidekic- oh wait, nevermind.
Director Richard Lester finished
filming Superman II after Richard Donner was fired. That accounts
for the theatrical version of that film being so uneven. But
Superman III is Lester's baby. Full of idiocy and pratfalls, it also
carries with it luddite predjudice towards computers. But it does
have that really awesome (though nonsensical) scene where Superman
fights himself.
Superman Returns
-This is not a bad film. It is also
not a very good film. It feels like a wasted opportunity. I
actually like the fact that Bryan Singer tied everything to the
Richard Donner universe. But there were too many problems from the
outset to make this movie fly.
All-Star Superman
-Based on the acclaimed Grant Morrison
story, I actually like this movie better than the original comic.
Morrison can be esoteric at best, but this movie makes the plot and
events feel straightforward and emotionally present. In it, Superman
finds out that he is dying and is trying to set the world right
before he dies. Action-packed, yet touching
Superman vs. The Elite
-Another based on a comic, this one
answers the question of why Superman is important in modern society.
Here, the Last Son of Krypton takes on edgier heroes who are not
afraid to Jack Bauer their way through the bad guys to get the job
done. But when Superman stands on principle, the view him as weak
and archaic. How can an old fashioned man like that be relevant
today? This movie answers that question.
Man of Steel
-Zack Snyder made a Superman movie with
a level of spectacular action that the subject deserves. Exciting
and epic in every way.
Superman II (The Donner Cut)
Richard Donner's original vision for
Superman II removes most of Lester's silliness and presents us with a
more emotionally conflicted Superman who has to choose between his
happiness and his duty. And Terrance Stamp rocks!
Superman the Movie
-This movie is an American classic in
every sense. It is slow, especially in the beginning. But that
slowness feels like the breaking of a new dawn, as Richard Donner
opened up a new world with Christopher Reeve inspiring us to believe
that a man could fly. The utter sincerity that this movie presents
is the real magic. To this day, it fills me with wonder and
inspiration.
Getting rid of 90% of Richard Pryor's scenes (and the terrible opening sequence), and you have a much better Superman III. Not great, but far better than the theatrical cut.
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