I have a theory on superhero movies. It doesn't apply to every saga, but does in my mind seem to be repeated over time. This is how I feel it works.Movie 1. Introduces the characters, is often a good beginner and gives the writers a chance to see what works and what doesn't. Often is fun to watch.
Movie 2. The characters are well established and the writers don't waste time and jump straight into the story. This installment is either equal or better to the original.
Movie 3. There is a notable difference in quality. Could be either the acting talent or writing or effects but this sequel is starting to swerve from the main point of the superhero. But it still has redeemable qualities to be enjoyed.
Movie 4. We just don't want to even acknowledge it's existence.
I feel this applies to superheroes such as the 90's 'Batman', 'X-men' and 'Spiderman'. Although, none more so than the 'Superman' series. SUPERMAN had started off so strong, but by the time 'SUPERMAN IV The Quest for Peace' had arrived, everyone from the audience to Christopher Reeve himself knew the franchise was well and truly finished. 'SUPERMAN' made in 1978 was a new film genre for audiences as it was the first successful comic-fo-film adaptation and made an incredible amount of money so naturally the sequels would be coming along soon enough. 'SUPERMAN II' followed only 2 years later and brought new story elements involving Kent's relationship with Lane, the return of Gene Hackman's incredible Lex Luthor and the arrival of Zod. 'SUPERMAN III' began to show how much the series was winding down in 1983 and is possibly the oddest Superman film to date in terms of characters. We had the usual Clark Kent, but no Lois Lane or Lex Luther (due to an argument between actors and producers). Instead we have a different love affair for Kent, Richard Prior as a good-but-he's-technically-still-a-bad-guy comic relief and a trio of power hungry business folk. It was strange, a little awkward with the OTT comic antics of Prior, and silly final villain but it is still watchable. Nothing compared to 'The Quest for Peace'.
Realizing that Superman had become a film, American and right-doing icon, the producers decided to use the character to raise environmental issues for it's younger audience during the late 1980's. Christopher Reeve agreed to return for the sequel, on the condition that he would have a large portion of the creative process. This is isn't what doomed the film from the beginning, but was certainly building the fuel. Reeve wished to raise awareness of the rising threat of a nuclear war as the world was starting to crawl away from the Cold War, but the threat was indeed still there. The writers felt that if Superman could say that nuclear weapons were more of a problem than a solution, then the world will wake up and strive to rid the world of the war demon. It could've worked, it they had written the film well.
Before we see any of this nuclear business, we watch Kent return to his home-farm and refuses to sell for the land to be used for a new shopping mall, which attempts to show that however powerful he is, he is still humble and remembers where he grew up. Back in Metropolis, The Daily Planet is taken over by a news tabloid owner in order to make big money. This introduces us to a kind of sub-villain and possibly to highlight how sick we can be in the media. Apart from that and a girl trying to seduce Kent, its all rather pointless to the plot. The real threat is the return of Lex Luthor who is sprung from jail by his nephew Lenny, who is the worst character in the entire Superman film series. He is to be the comic relief. While Prior did have some funny material (though some of which did make us cringe), this guy is just plain stupid and is a terrible sidekick to Luthor. True Otis from the first film was stupid but he had a bumbling charm that made him funny to watch, Lenny gave no serious contribution to the film other than reminding us how much the fashion trends in the 80's was idiotic at times. Luthor plans to become both filthy rich again whilst taking revenge on his arch nemesis Superman. How will he does this? By through the wonders of nuclear power.
The arms race was beginning to speed up, and all the countries are trying to outdo each other. A child then writes an emotional letter to Superman, asking him to rid the world of all nuclear missiles and other weapons. After much soul searching, talking to his computerized father, and jumping off a building, he decides to do so. It is as basic as that. It sounds more like a fable rather than a mature statement on the war driven world we lived (and still do) in. It could have been taken more seriously, if it had not been a giant net (which must've been miles in diameter) full of missiles from all countries and is then hammer-thrown by Superman straight into the sun. Luthor plans to create an anti-Superman by using a hair of the man of steel to extract DNA, mixed with new flesh and a couple pieces of clothing (you find out why) and sends it to the sun on a missile. The sun's radiation fuses with the DNA, and creates Nuclearman. It is as bad as it sounds. He is nothing more than a tanned model, complete with golden curly hair, a sparkly costume, and long golden fake fingernails (which are meant to be threatening, but look like a cheap halloween costume product). The actor's role is lessened a great deal as they dub the character with Gene Hackman's voice, not that he had the lines that could be delivered any better than casual conversation. He proves to be a formidable foe as he has the same strengths as Superman. He can fly, has super strength, freezing breath, laser eyes and actually makes Superman so ill that he is close to death. The main drawback, is that Nuclearman gains his energy through the sun. No sun, no power. Meaning he is useless even in the shade, giving him with possibly the biggest weakness that has ever been given to a superhero or villain. He is rather feebly destroyed once Superman moves the moon (probable causing great chaos on Earth) to create an eclipse which powers down Nuclearman, enabling Superman to grab him and throw him into a nuclear power plant. This generates power and lights up all the rooms in New York (possibly a hint from the producers to say nuclear power can be good).
Apart from the silly plot, and less threatening Nuclearman, the main aspect that lets the film down is the astoundingly awful special effects. The previous films were not masterpieces of technology, but they were thrilling enough and could carry the story well. You knew he was against a blue screen, but it still looked decent enough to pass. The forth film had a considerably lesser budget and it shows. You knew it was a blue screen, and a bad one. They use the same footage of Reeve flying towards the camera at least 6 times through out the film. There is no smoothness to it and can be compared to a badly made late 60's Godzilla movie, which would trump 'SUPERMAN IV' in realism. Whilst the original films had blue screen effects for the outer space scenes, the moon in this film simply has a black back drop, which has visible creases. Wires can be see from time to time as the two hero and villain fly through the studio. The film had actually run out of money due to the effects and general setbacks, so what we see now is an incomplete film. This is obvious as the first three Superman films are all over two hours long, the fourth barely makes it past eighty-six minutes.
The film's flaws simply outweigh the few good points. Not even Gene Hackman's terrific performance as his famous Luthor role could keep the film from falling into the gutter. However, if you just want some good laughs at some bad filmmaking, this is the film to watch and giggle to. The best part of the film in my mind, is the very harsh insult Luthor throws to his nephew Lenny.
'I have always considered you to be the Dutch Elm Disease in my Family Tree'
Funny, as it seems to not only describe Lenny within the Luthor family, but also the film itself in the Superman series. But as Luthor himself said, nothing's perfect.
Review by Rory Dunn
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