Given there are two different versions of this film, this might be tricky.
Pros -
The inclusion of Brando in the Donner cut
Superman fighting the three Kryptonians. "Man, this is gonna be good!"
Bringing back Sheriff J.W. Pepper
Terence Stamp is endlessly quotable
Christopher Reeve is the seminal Superman
"I know some Judo" - heard when the citizens of Metropolis try to fight the villains.
Cons -
In the context of turning back time, which was the original planned ending for II, it doesn't make sense for Clark to return to the diner
The Donner Cut also implies Lex Luthor is still in the Fortress of Solitude when destroyed
People can bitch about Man of Steel and Zod having his neck broken. Here, Superman tosses Zod into an abyss when he poses no actual threat to him. There is a really goofy deleted scene where Zod and Co. are arrested by arctic patrol
The exclusion of Brando in the theatrical cut
That cellophane S
Some of the goofy humor that would destroy Superman III later
"He's caged Non!" How does that actually stop him, though?
Last Edit: Jul 10, 2018 19:11:33 GMT by Popeye Doyle
Post by darkreviewer2013 on Jul 11, 2018 3:30:11 GMT
Pros:
- It's the greatest Superman film ever made. - Brilliant plot and villains. - Lex Luthor's endless scheming and complete amorality. - The soundtrack. - The Richard Donner Cut
Cons:
- As the OP stated, the whole turning back time thing and then returning to the diner afterwards didn't make a whole lot of sense.
Reeve is fantastic here as the man of steel, I think his best performance as Superman.
Some great action sequences, especially the final fight in Metropolis.
The three Kryptonian villains are great.
Gene Hackman
Cons -
I never cared for the romantic angle, with the two of them sleeping together. It just felt wrong to me.
The movie has kind of a choppy feel to it, due to Donner's firing and Lester taking over.
I never liked Superman returning to the diner at the end to kick the redneck's ass. I get that it was done for a cathartic reaction, but it felt very petty to me.
Post by Wolverine10005 on Sept 22, 2024 20:08:40 GMT
PROS:
Reeve The Love Story The ''Superman giving up his powers'' angle More time in the Fortress of Solitude The "S" Shield (not a power, but a Kryptonian technology gimmick) Zod as character
CONS:
Kryptonian villains talking English Kryptonian villains learning how to use yellow sun-based superpowers in few seconds/Clark took 12 years to do that
Why do you speak to me this way when you know I shall kill you for it.
The set up for it is great--the way Superman is out of commission when he learns Zod and company are there. The White House scene.
"You are not the president. No one who leads so many could possibly bow so easily."
I think it was y better for his mother to be the one who talks to him about losing his powers rather than Brando's surly floating head.
The villains were such jerks that having Superman drop Zod in the abyss seemed a good idea--they did the same thing with the trucker--Superman ought not to have wanted to beat him up but the audience expects it. He has to get some comeuppance--and it is similar to him turning back time to save Lois--he has a right to do something for himself.
CON: Donner criticized the townsfolk depiction -- it is ridiculous what yokels they are.
"You only smell strong!"
Maybe if they arrived at a bar with a motorcycle gang instead.
PRO: I like how Superman knew that Luthor would betray him and used that to trick him with the machine.
But Luthor is treated as a comedy character worse in the original version since they had to use a voice impersonator for some of it.
"Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow." Frankenstein
Pros: Christopher Reeve gives a great dual performance as Clark Kent and Superman Terence Stamp is deliciously evil as General Zod and endlessly quotable Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor The romance subplot between Lois Lane and Superman The inclusion of Marlon Brando in the Donner Cut More action sequences especially the battle in Metropolis Ken Thorne's musical score with John Williams's iconic theme
Cons: Richard Lester's humor goes too far at times in term of slapstick The cellophane "S" The creepy amnesia kiss Clark gives to Lois near the end In the Donner Cut, there's a plot hole in which Clark punches out as Rocky (the truck driver) at the diner after he reversed time. Since he turned back time, it technically never happened, and Clark just looks like a jerk punching a random guy for no reason.
