EDITORIAL: Ranking The SUPERMAN Films From Worst To Best

EDITORIAL: Ranking The SUPERMAN Films From Worst To Best

I've been meaning to do this for a while, but I needed time to think it through. Now I'm going to go through all six Superman films from my least favorite, to the one that stands out the most. Which will be number one? Hit the jump to find out..

Editorial Opinion
By D117 - Sep 02, 2014 01:09 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman

Superman is one of the most recognizable superheroes around. Not only having a huge impact in comic books, but through television, animation and on film. He really didn't put his mark down until the 1978 film Superman flown into theaters. That's the topic today, all the films and where they rank, of course the opinions expressed are my own, but feel free to drop yours down below!
 

Superman IV: The Quest For Peace

Ahh so where do I begin? Wow.. This film is simply awful. With the Salkinds having nothing to do with this project, things went way downhill. Bland story, tacky visuals, lame villain (Nuclear Man, seriously?!!) everything that made the first two films great went out of sync. If I don't recall Reeve saying at the premiere that he was "ashamed" to be in this atrocious film. And I don't blame him, despite this, Christopher Reeve still found a way to shine as this franchise fell flat on its face. Oh, and how can I forget Superman and his telekinetic powers? Pretty neat huh? (Roles eyes). 

Superman III

Now this is where things get a little wonky. Superman III isn't as bad but still has some odd features. With the addition of Richard Pryor I knew this would be hammed up with the humor, just not as off putting. In the time of Superman being exposed to Red Kryptonite, he ends up being a big bumbling drunk, putting off his heroic duties for lust and giving the citizens of Metropolis dirty looks. Now the fight scene between Evil Superman and Clark in the junkyard is cool, but it isn't enough to flesh out how the more darker elements and humor are so out of place. Having Lana Lang (Annette O'Toole) is fine, I just wish the focus was on Clark, Lana and his adventures as Superman without being weighed down by the goofiness and all the other subplots.
 

Superman Returns

This is nowhere near as pathetic as Superman IV, so thankfully this ignores the two previous films. But here's my issue, instead of taking a fresh take on the hero, it pays homage to the Donner films, bringing in recycled elements to the story, dialogue etc., not to mention weird elements like Supes having a kid, and being a stalking creep. To what Brandon Routh was given, his job was to pretty much emulate what Christopher Reeve did, which is unfortunate because I'm sure if he was given a better script in which this wasn't required, he'd be able to make the role his own. I'm glad to see Routh get another stab at playing a DC hero in this upcoming season of the CW's Arrow as Ray Palmer/The Atom. This film overall is dull, and it drags on for 2hrs and 34mins to my experience in the theater, leaving me with a headache and feeling let down.

Superman II/Richard Donner Cut

I would talk about both the original and directors cut version of this film separately, but that'll take too long. I prefer the Richard Donner cut because it's simply the better version, to me at least. Unfortunate that Donner couldn't stay on to make the entire film. But even though that's the case, the scenes that Richard Lester filmed worked, even in the original 1980 released film. The humor actually works here, and I do see where Donner was coming from as he stated he wasn't a fan of it, as it does seem out of place at times. But it's paced better here, than in Superman III. Overall the Donner cut is the best way to experience a sequel done right. 

Superman: The Movie


 

Now this is where the peak of comic book films began. With unknown actor Christopher Reeve stepping into the red boots, it was sort of unclear what he'd bring to the role. And we've all heard this over a dozen of times, but he truly believed a man could fly. He had the look, charisma and everything else down to a tee. Throughout all four films (yes even the mediocre ones) he truly captured who Superman was, and still until this day looked at as the definitive Man of Steel. With a compelling story, and not to mention the iconic theme from John Williams, leaves to be one of my favorite films growing up.

Man of Steel

Before you start getting out your pitchforks and calling me an asshole, hear me out. I'm in no way, shape or form calling Superman: The Movie bad, it's pure nostalgia of course and overall a fun flick. But Man of Steel for me wasn't necessarily a Superman film. What Zack Snyder was able to do was reinvent the titular character. I really like the idea that Earth doesn't automatically welcome him in, he's an estranged alien from the planet Krypton, an outcast where he is completely misunderstood. Being preferred to as strictly Kal-El, gives me the notion that he's just starting out, inexperienced and just learning who he is. He's not called Superman until the closing moments of the film, even then I still look at him as Kal, finding his way into modern day Metropolis. And also with Lois already knowing that he's Clark is a genius addition I think, there's no "You're Superman?!" Type antics going forward. Henry Cavill is exceptional in the role, and I can't say enough about how much he looks just like his comic book counterpart. With that said, this film makes it to the top of the list, not only because it's a reinvision, but it feels different and something I'm not used too, and that's a plus for me. I'm looking forward to this re established universe moving forward with Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice. This is a controversial choice obviously, but that doesn't mean I discount the first two original films.

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Dingbat
Dingbat - 9/2/2014, 1:16 PM
Seriously? The one with comments was deleted.
Dingbat
Dingbat - 9/2/2014, 1:16 PM
Perfect list btw.
GiantNerd
GiantNerd - 9/2/2014, 1:17 PM
This is how kids looked after they walked out of Man of Steel at the theater.

Dingbat
Dingbat - 9/2/2014, 1:19 PM
@Brainiac13

I have no idea what you said. The article was deleted.
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 9/2/2014, 1:20 PM




My 2 favorite scenes from MOS.....We finally get to see the Boy Scout Superman and Daily Planet CK.
Dingbat
Dingbat - 9/2/2014, 1:21 PM
@D117

"Before you start getting out your pitchforks and calling me an asshole"

Anyone who does that would be the asshole.
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 9/2/2014, 1:21 PM
@Dingbat

The comment above.
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 9/2/2014, 1:21 PM
Great movie.

Dingbat
Dingbat - 9/2/2014, 1:21 PM
@Brainiac13

Agreed. I especially like that Pa Kent moment at the end.
Dingbat
Dingbat - 9/2/2014, 1:26 PM
@GiantNerd

Give it a rest, pest.
Dingbat
Dingbat - 9/2/2014, 1:31 PM
@MrNiklander

The best way to deal with a troll is to troll them.
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 9/2/2014, 1:33 PM
@MrNiklander

Yeah....I hated..."I just think he's kinda hot" part
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 9/2/2014, 1:34 PM
Why was the 1st article deleted?
GiantNerd
GiantNerd - 9/2/2014, 1:40 PM
@Dingbat

I'm sorry I messed with the best.
Pasto
Pasto - 9/2/2014, 1:40 PM
Dafuq man?
GiantNerd
GiantNerd - 9/2/2014, 1:45 PM
I guess I'm trolling but I'm really just having a bit of fun.

I don't have a serious vendetta against MOS. I thought it was a good CBM.
yossarian
yossarian - 9/2/2014, 1:48 PM
Gusto is drunk.

There was no article and therefore no comments.
GiantNerd
GiantNerd - 9/2/2014, 1:50 PM
The first article was actually just a premonition we all had. We got ESP homies.
Odin
Odin - 9/2/2014, 1:52 PM
My favourite is probably Superman 2: Richard Donner-cut, way better than the theatrical-cut.
Reasonnnn
Reasonnnn - 9/2/2014, 1:56 PM
Of course MoS would be the favorite to many of the ADD generation.
kong
kong - 9/2/2014, 1:59 PM
MOS is definitely the best. I just recently re-watched Superman II. I didn't enjoy it as much as I did as a child.
yossarian
yossarian - 9/2/2014, 2:02 PM
Gusto is hallucinating.

There is no spoon either man. Bend them shits.
MrBlackJack
MrBlackJack - 9/2/2014, 2:03 PM
Reasonnn is being a tool again.

*sigh*
D117
D117 - 9/2/2014, 2:08 PM
I tried submitting the article the first time, therefore it didn't go through. Which led to there being duplicate articles, also the original pic I used under Superman III didn't work since the URL/link was broken. So I deleted the other article and kept this one.
GiantNerd
GiantNerd - 9/2/2014, 2:13 PM
@D117

I figured something like that went down. I hate when you post an article and a link for something is broken. I had one go to main and then I realized there was a link that was broken and I couldn't edit it. It friggin drove me nuts.
GiantNerd
GiantNerd - 9/2/2014, 2:24 PM
@AlphaAndDecima

I think that'll be a big part of BvS as well which could lead to a lot of really cool stuff story wise. I really hope it lives up to my anticipation. I have faith in Snyder for the most part though. I've seen Watchmen probably 50 times lol. So I'm not giving up on him.
ArkhamCrusader
ArkhamCrusader - 9/2/2014, 2:51 PM
Agreed.


Man of Steel is my favourite movie.
superbatspiderman
superbatspiderman - 9/2/2014, 3:02 PM
Switch Superman 2 asnd the original Superman movie and we have a perfect list. Man of Steel is the farthest we have ever delved into Superman's origins in a movie. I think it was done excellently and the action was amazing. People that say it had too much action are just trying to find a way to complain. THe action scenes were the best I have ever seen in a superhero movie.
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