Superman III (1983) is a continuation of the story of the iconic superhero from the first two films. Our hero, Clark Kent/Superman, must face his evil alter ego after being exposed to synthetic Kryptonite, which causes him to act selfishly and irresponsibly. This plot is filled with action, humor, and some emotional moments, making it a must-watch for superhero fans.
Synopsis
The movie takes place in Metropolis, where Superman (Christopher Reeve) works as a reporter for the Daily Planet. A computer expert named Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor) gets hired by a company called Webscoe, which attracts the attention of their CEO Ross Webster (Robert Vaughn). Webster blackmails Gus into helping him financially by threatening to expose his illegal activities.
Meanwhile, Clark Kent convinces his boss, Perry White (Jackie Cooper), to let him and fellow reporter Jimmy Olsen (Marc McClure) attend their high school reunion in Smallville. There Clark reconnects with his childhood friend, Lana Lang (Annette O’Toole), who is now divorced and has a young son named Ricky. But their reunion is marred by the presence of Brad Wilson (Gavan O’Herlihy), Clark’s school bully and Lana’s ex-boyfriend.
Back in Metropolis, Webster grows angry when a South American country refuses to cooperate with his company. He orders Gus to work with a satellite specialist named Vulcan (William Schallert) to modify the weather, causing a tornado that devastates that country’s coffee crops and inflating Webscoe’s coffee prices.
Gus travels to Smallville to program the satellite, but Superman saves the town from a tornado Vulcan creates. Webster then orders Gus to create synthetic Kryptonite, which will weaken Superman. Gus and Vulcan use a piece of genuine Kryptonite to analyze its composition, and Gus uses it to create the synthetic version.
Lana Lang invites Superman to Ricky’s birthday party, and Gus and Vera (Annie Ross) give him the synthetic Kryptonite, causing him to become selfish and more concerned with Lana than saving a truck driver from falling off a bridge. The Kryptonite’s influence also causes Superman to straighten the Leaning Tower of Pisa and extinguish the Olympic torch.
Webster then orders Gus to create a supercomputer for him. Gus agrees on the condition that Webster directs all oil tankers to the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Meanwhile, Lorelei (Pamela Stephenson) distracts Superman with her feminine wiles while trying to kill him. Gus tries to stop the computer, but it has already gained sentience and turned Vera into a cyborg.
Superman fights his evil alter ego in a salvage yard and eventually triumphs, causing Webster, Gus, and Lorelei to be arrested. Superman flies off to repair the damage caused by the computer and leaves Lana a gift for Ricky.
Review
Superman III has a lot of fun moments, and some of the scenes with Superman’s evil alter ego are genuinely thrilling. The special effects are impressive for the time, and the performances by the lead actors are excellent. Christopher Reeve never fails to amaze with his portrayal of both Clark Kent and Superman. Linda Lang’s addition to the story adds a romantic element to the plot, which makes Clark’s dilemmas feel more significant. Gus Gorman’s humorous antics and his later redemption add a nice touch to the story.
Despite some of the movie’s unique elements, it doesn’t quite live up to its predecessors. The plot lacks the heart that made the first two Superman movies classics. The film’s villain, Ross Webster, isn’t as compelling a character as General Zod or Lex Luthor from previous films.
Conclusion
Superman III may not be as iconic or beloved as its predecessors, but it stands as an entertaining and enjoyable film that superhero fans should watch. The introduction of new characters and changes to the plot add something different to the Superman mythos, making it a fun addition to the franchise. Overall, it’s a must-watch for fans of comic book movies and those who want to see the Man of Steel take on his greatest threat yet, himself.
