Superman 2 (1980)

I just finished watching this one again. Over the years, I’ve seen this film a number of times, each time it is just as good. This movie delivers very well, and is slightly better than the original in my opinion. This is quite unusual, but there are some sequels that outshine the first release. This was directed by Richard Lester and Richard Donner who was uncredited. A number of writers worked on the screenplay which includes Mario Puzo, David Newman, and Leslie Newman. The character writing was done by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Mario Puzo also worked on the story as well.

The original cast returns again which is a wonderful thing. I along with everyone else would not have wanted a new person playing Superman other than the late Christopher Reeve, who will forever be remembered for his role. Margot Kidder returns as well as Lois Lane the reporter who seemingly always gets into some kind of trouble and various situations. Jackie Cooper appears again as Perry White, and Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen.

Ned Beatty also returns as Otis the bumbling stooge sidekick to Lex Luthor played by Gene Hackman the arch enemy of Superman. Valerie Perrine returns as Luthor’s right arm woman named Eve Teschmacher. They cook up a scheme to break out of jail and start to cause more mischief for Superman. That is the least of his problems however, as he faces three new threats from his home planet of Krypton. They are set free from a crazy scenario taking place in Paris, France originally. I will leave out further details you will have to see for yourself.  If you have seen the first Superman, then you might remember these criminals. They are played by Terence Stamp as General Zod, he is accompanied by Ursa played by Sarah Douglas and Jack O’Halloran as Non. Together they make a dynamic trio of rival villains.

You will also see a number of other appearances in this such as E.G. Marshall playing the President of the United States, Clifton James as a Sheriff, Susannah York as Lara, Leueen Willoughby as Leueen, and Robin Pappas as Alice. I think this is a landmark film for special effects, and was quite visually appealing as well with the cinematography which was done by Geoffrey Unsworth.

If you enjoy action/adventure movies and comic book characters then you will surely enjoy watching this one. I did, and my wife as well.