Phantom
Since I watched Superman, it seemed only right that I went onto watch Superman 2 as well, being as they were made at the same time and the introduction to Superman introduces the enemies that we don’t actually get to see until the sequel.
Superman 2, for those that don’t remember, is the one where Lois works out who Clark really is, so he gives up his powers so he can live with her. While all that is going on, three criminals from Krypton, imprisoned in the scary glass prison that floats through space (or the Phantom Zone as they call it) are released after Superman throws a nuclear bomb into space and they just happen to be floating on by.
It’s never really explained all that well why Superman has to give up his powers to be with Lois, it seemed like a pretty trite plot device then, and it seems the same now. But it’s all done with such staunt seriousness you do tend to find yourself going along with it. Terence Stamp as General Zod, along with two other Kryptonian criminals are proper adversaries, but Zod doesn’t get the chance to be quite as scary as he is talking to Brando at the start of Superman: The Movie.
The ending is much better than the original movie because it’s not quite as ridiculous as him turning back time, but he does somehow wipe Lois’ memory, a new super power that seems to have been invented purely for use at that moment. I’m not sure how we’re supposed to believe she won’t just work it out again in the future (other than the fact Margot Kidder won’t really be in the next two films because of problems with depression).
I do like the fact he goes back and beats up the bully in the restaurant at the end though, that’s a nice way to close it off. Forget watching parts 3 and 4 and just go straight to Superman Returns, and you have a trilogy of films that will provide nice entertainment for rainy Sunday afternoons for years to come.
