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Superman II on DVD (1980)

Superman II cover art
Play Superman II trailer
Average rating: (66%)
1114520191525
3.5
 
Starring: Christopher Reeve | Ned Beatty | Margot Kidder | Gene Hackman | Jackie Cooper | Sarah Douglas | Clifton James | E.G. Marshall | Valerie Perrine | Jack O'Halloran
Director: Richard Lester
Studio: WARNER HOME VIDEO
Run time: 127 mins
Certificate: PG
User collections: For all the 80's children. | The Best Bar None | Naids best of collection | The Coolest Movie Villains | You will laugh, cry, scream, and thrill! | Stef's Top 100 - A Miscellany | Films I watch repeatedly | The world's most prolific stuntman, Vic Armstrong | films from my dvd collection that demand repeat viewings | Super Heroes
Genres: Action/Adventure | Thriller
Languages: English
Released: 22/01/2002
Also Available on: Also Available on: DIGITAL Also Available on: HD-DVD

Brief synopsis of Superman II

Once again mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent (Christopher Reeve), hiding his identity as Superman, must fight for law and order. This time around, a triumvirate of nasty villains from the planet Krypton break free of their dimensional prison and hightail it to Earth, where they enjoy the same superpowers as Superman. Meanwhile, Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) has discovered that Superman and Clark are the same person, so Superman debates whether to give up his abilities to become a normal man and share his life with Lois. Richard Lester (A HARD DAY'S NIGHT) takes the helm for this sequel, which is arguably the equal of the original hit film.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 4 stars out of 5 Radio Times

Purists may not agree, but this is probably the best segment of the Superman saga in terms of plot — it's free from the occasionally po-faced seriousness of the first and the rampant silliness of the remaining two. Director Richard Lester delivers a knowing, knockabout cartoon with Superman (Christopher Reeve) finding out that he is no longer the toughest guy around when three baddies (underpants on the inside) are exiled from his home planet and arrive on Earth. The effects are equal to the first film and there's a strong supporting cast, including an irascible Gene Hackman and the excellent Terence Stamp in what, at the time, was something of a comeback role.

Halliwell's Film Guide

Half the first episode was devoted to a creaky and unnecessary setting up of plot and characters. This sequel is all the better for diving straight into action, but a classic it isn't, even of the comic strip kind.

Entertainment Weekly

"SUPERMAN II is a marvelous toy. It's funny, it's full of tricks and it manages to be royally entertaining..."

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 4 starsNostalgic!!!

A customer from NEWCASTLE , 30/01/2005

A magical, nostalgic wonderland of 80's technology meets a well written plot line that could have been 'Spider-Man# 50'on screen when it's translating Superman instead, but luckily Richards Donner & Lester have sense and the film is a real treat if not exactly a rollercoaster!''

  3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsUP UP AND AWAY

Roy McCoid from Hull, England , 03/07/2006

This is a purely entertaining and spectacular movie. In my opinion much better than the original. Gene Hackman is brilliant and homourous as Lex and gives that touch that only great actors can bring to a movie. It is well worth a watch whether you like super heroes or not and you won't be disappointed.

  3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsbest sequal ever made

eagle230805 from Hampshire , 02/03/2006

In fact its probably better than the origional and thats saying a lot! the story continues from the first 20 mins of the last film and so much goes on in such wonderful detail throughout that its hard to not remember this for a good few years.

Sadly its the last perfect superman movie as due to the ever growing success of these 2 films they got big headed and fired the director!

The 3rd and 4th films will only disapoint if you watch them and will ruin the vintage taste of this classic masterpiece.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 4 starsSuper? It's a classic!

A customer from Bristol, England , 07/07/2004

Although it's a relative oldie (1980), it's still an excellent film. You need to forget the special effects, as although they were good in their day, they can't compete with modern films. However, it is the magic and superhero factor of the Superman films (I & II anyway) that means that even those of us that were just starting playschool when it was made still can watch it again and again. Great to see when Superman re emerges to take on the 3 superbaddies! A movie that reminds you of your childhood, and entertains the children of today, introducing them to the magic of Superman!

  2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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