Shot at the same time as SUPERMAN back to back, but not released until two years after the 1978 film, by which time director Richard Donner had been replaced by Richard Lester during production, SUPERMAN II proved its’ worth at the box-office and became the top attraction during 1981 at the UK box-office, beating out the likes of FOR YOUR EYES ONLY, FLASH GORDON and RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK on its’ initial release, but in the US it was second to RAIDERS.
The three villains banished by Superman’s father Kal-El at the start of the first film, General Zod (Terence Stamp), Ursa (Sarah Douglas) and Non (Jack O’Halloran), are in the rotating square which symbolises ‘The Phantom Zone’, but on approaching Earth a nuclear explosion from a rocket Superman has got rid of frees them up, from which they head to Earth to claim rule, given that they have the same powers as the Man Of Steel.
However, Superman has a more personal problem dealing as Clark Kent, dealing with Lois Lane’s determination to discover Superman’s true identity, unaware of the three villains who now threaten the world….
One of the best sequels of all time and arguably superior to the original, with a fantastic city battle between Superman and the trio of baddies as a stand-out, coupled with great interplay between Superman and Lois (the America and Metropolis scenes were shot around Pinewood Studios north of London)
There are two versions of the film, the 1980 theatrical cut and the remastered ‘Donner Cut’ which does give fans a chance to see how Donner’s version would have panned out. In some ways, the original version is actually better, but it would have been nice to see some of the changes.
Still, whichever version you pick, you will be entertained. A model for the later DC Universe films to follow.