Superman II
Stream
Rent & Buy
Three Kryptonian criminals led by General Zod team up with Lex Luthor to conquer Earth, forcing a depowered Superman to regain his strength and stop them.
What critics thought
Superman II lands as a broadly acclaimed sequel that critics at the time largely felt matched or surpassed the original, with particular praise for the blend of spectacle and genuine romantic warmth at its center. The campier, low-comedy moments drew some resistance, and at least one contemporary voice argued that adult fans of the first film found the second a letdown — a minority view that cuts against the otherwise enthusiastic reception.
“This film's fun comes from character, dialogue and performance, not effects. There are, of course, enough effects to fill a dozen Saturday matinee serials, but they aren't necessarily the film's deliciousness.”
Sheila Benson·Los Angeles Times
“Superman II is a marvelous toy. It's funny, it's full of tricks, and it manages to be royally entertaining, which is really all it aims for.”
Janet Maslin·The New York Times
“Superman II falls into the category of sequels containing such films as Jaws 2 - highly absorbing and entertaining, yet better films only if you never saw the original.”
Christopher John·Ares Magazine
“Superman II was a booming box office smash but only with the kids. The adults who were pleased to see their childhood hero so well-treated in the first movie were sorely disappointed by the second.”
C. J. Henderson·Pegasus
“little in the way of any director's personal stamp on the sequel, though Lester has done a bravura job of melding grandiose action with a core of heart-tickling romance and an ample overlay of tongue-in-cheek humor”
Variety
Parents guide
- Violence
- mild
- Sex
- mild
- Profanity
- mild
- Substances
- mild
- Intensity
- mild
Genres
Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Cast & Crew
Richard LesterDirector
Christopher ReeveSuperman / Clark Kent
Margot KidderLois Lane
Terence StampGeneral Zod
Sarah DouglasUrsa
Jack O'HalloranNon
Gene HackmanLex Luthor
Ned BeattyOtis
Jackie CooperPerry White
Valerie PerrineEve Teschmacher
Susannah YorkLara
Clifton JamesSheriff
E.G. MarshallThe President
John WilliamsComposer
Mario PuzoWriter
David NewmanWriter
Geoffrey UnsworthCinematographySuperman II
Three Kryptonian criminals led by General Zod team up with Lex Luthor to conquer Earth, forcing a depowered Superman to regain his strength and stop them.
What critics thought
Superman II lands as a broadly acclaimed sequel that critics at the time largely felt matched or surpassed the original, with particular praise for the blend of spectacle and genuine romantic warmth at its center. The campier, low-comedy moments drew some resistance, and at least one contemporary voice argued that adult fans of the first film found the second a letdown — a minority view that cuts against the otherwise enthusiastic reception.
“This film's fun comes from character, dialogue and performance, not effects. There are, of course, enough effects to fill a dozen Saturday matinee serials, but they aren't necessarily the film's deliciousness.”
Sheila Benson·Los Angeles Times
“Superman II is a marvelous toy. It's funny, it's full of tricks, and it manages to be royally entertaining, which is really all it aims for.”
Janet Maslin·The New York Times
“Superman II falls into the category of sequels containing such films as Jaws 2 - highly absorbing and entertaining, yet better films only if you never saw the original.”
Christopher John·Ares Magazine
“Superman II was a booming box office smash but only with the kids. The adults who were pleased to see their childhood hero so well-treated in the first movie were sorely disappointed by the second.”
C. J. Henderson·Pegasus
“little in the way of any director's personal stamp on the sequel, though Lester has done a bravura job of melding grandiose action with a core of heart-tickling romance and an ample overlay of tongue-in-cheek humor”
Variety
Parents guide
- Violence
- mild
- Sex
- mild
- Profanity
- mild
- Substances
- mild
- Intensity
- mild
Genres
Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Cast & Crew
Richard LesterDirectorChristopher ReeveSuperman / Clark KentMargot KidderLois LaneTerence StampGeneral ZodSarah DouglasUrsaJack O'HalloranNonGene HackmanLex LuthorNed BeattyOtisJackie CooperPerry WhiteValerie PerrineEve TeschmacherSusannah YorkLaraClifton JamesSheriffE.G. MarshallThe PresidentJohn WilliamsComposerMario PuzoWriterDavid NewmanWriterGeoffrey UnsworthCinematographyStream
Rent & Buy