Superman II (1980)

Superman II (1980) picks up after the events of the first film: Clark Kent is torn between his duty as Earth’s protector and his love for reporter Lois Lane. To build a normal life with her he makes the ultimate sacrifice — surrendering his superpowers to become human — just as three ruthless Kryptonian criminals, General Zod, Ursa and Non, are unleashed from the Phantom Zone by a nuclear explosion. With powers equal to his own, the trio descend on Earth bent on conquest, and a scheming Lex Luthor escapes prison and plots to use them for his own gain. Stripped of his abilities, Kal-El must face the consequences of his choice, find a way to reclaim his strength at the Fortress of Solitude, and confront foes who can match him blow for blow. The film blends large-scale action and special-effects set pieces (including the memorable Eiffel Tower rescue and a spectacular duel over Metropolis) with an emotional core about identity, sacrifice and love. Viewers can expect a mix of high-stakes spectacle, tense battles against nearly unstoppable villains, moments of humor and romance, and an ultimately heroic showdown that tests what kind of man — or alien — Superman truly is.

Actors: Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder

Directors: Richard Lester, Richard Donner

Runtime: 127 min

Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

6.0 /10 83 /100 6.8 /10 7.0 /10