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Superman III

Superman III

List Price: $19.96
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Why Richard Pryor?
Review: One reason why the third part of the Superman saga only gets a third star is this: The Salkinds TRIED to make the movie look like a comedy. Big mistake. Another reason is that they seem to have totally disconnected the film from the other two movies in respect to their story lines. That is to say, Superman the Movie and Superman II have a clear continuity in their events and results. Such is virtually absent from Superman III. In addition, Christopher Reeve doesn't even appear to be trying to recapture that loving charm he mastered so well in the first two movies; it's though he's tired of the roll and just wants to run out the clock, so to speak. Also, while Robert Vaughn does-bearly-serve to fill Gene Hackman's shoes, Richard Pryor does not. The whole movie was poorly written, poorly presented, and poorly performed. Now, with that all said, here is the one redeeming factor of the movie: The part where Superman is exposed to the synthetic kryptonite, becomes evil, and fights "Clark Kent" in the junk yard, earns this movie the three stars I give it. That lone portion of the film makes it worth watching on a lazy Sunday afternoon, or late at night-when one has insomnia. Other than that, stick with Superman the Movie and Superman II, where the Man of Steel flys with style and grace.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: NOT AS BAD AS YOU THINK
Review: The third installment in the Superman series, while not as thrilling as its predecessors, is nevertheless a fun movie to watch. It's important to know that this movie has an entirely different feel than the other two: a bit more lighthearted and without the Clark/Lois romance. The plot has Superman, fresh from defeating General Zod, going up against megalomaniac industrialist Ross Webster (Robert Vaughn). After he foils Webster's first plan, Superman gets exposed to Webster's synthetic kryptonite which turns him into an evil thug. But when Webster threatens the world using a destructive supercomputer, can the Man of Steel fight off the evil which has corrupted him to save the day?
Comedian Richard Pryor is the bumbling Gus Gorman, a computer whiz, whose talents are exploited for evil by Webster. He provides some funny moments, but at times doesn't seem to quite fit into this kind of movie. Annete O'Toole is Lana Lang, who coupled with a spirited performance provides a great love interest. This film also had some really good scenes. The two best are the chemical fire and the junkyard duel between Superman and Clark Kent (wait and see why!!).
This movie is great fun, so sit back and enjoy it!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: An old friend visits again.....
Review: I just rented the VHS copy of this movie for my sons, (ages 13 and 15) who have never seen this film before, and what a blast it was. Their comments, aside from their laughter, were, "How cheap was that?" and "That was corny!" referring to the special effects.
However, I know deep down, they actually enjoyed the movie since they stayed in the room the entire time with their eyes glued to the set. Of course they are going to notice and laugh at the special effects, the film was made over 17 years ago. Their comparing the f/x to the latest Hulk, Spiderman, and Star Wars films. Thats what they have come to expect. I would critisize this film too if it was released last year.
I first saw this film on a date with my fiance' and I thought it was far better than Superman II. I didn't like Margot Kidder cast as Lois Lane to begin with. I thought she was much to unattractive for Reeves, and her part much to large in #II. I am probably the only person to think this but, I liked Lana Lang, (Annette O'toole) much better as Clark Kents love interest. For this reason I liked the very small part Kiddder had in this film. Richard Pryor was good as the unsuspecting villian and comic relief.
What super-power should Superman tangle with in this film? He has already battled evil genius, Lex Luther, and 3 former inhabitants of Krypton with physical powers like his own. Why not fight himself? The synthetic Krypton that causes this sickness or multi-personality disorder in Superman is a great idea. Theres no better way to evolve the story line. How many times have any of us struggled with good and evil within ourselves.
The evil super-computer at the end was good too. Can anyone say "Terminator III".
Overall, I love this movie and rank it 2nd in the series with #II and IV battling for last place. Of course the first Superman will remain everyones favorite.
Just to let you know, after the movie was over, my 13 year old asked if we could get a copy of our own. "Sure thing." I said. I thought it was like an old friend coming to visit.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Superman can be better
Review: Without Lex Luthor, this film rather suffers. But it was an attempt to create an original story instead of returning to the same old theme, which, let's be honest, can get exhausting.

This also got me interested in psychology as a child, because I thought the whole notion of two sides of the same man duking it out was fascinating, to say the least.

Besides, Richard Pryor is a scream here, though what he does on the computer intuitively instead seems to be very close to what a skilled hacker can do today.

This film has one other great idea: Clarke should forget about Lois and start dating Liana. Liana is much sweeter, and unlike the Superman-obseesed Lois, Liana only wants her old friend, Clarke? And, she's smart enough NOT to put herself into deathtraps.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Clark Kent vs. Superman
Review: I agree with most of the people that "Superman 3" isn't the best of the sequels to the original groundbreaking movie, but I didn't think it was as bad as most of the other reviewers are making out that it is. In this sequel, Superman (Christopher Reeve) is up against some enemies who are trying to make productions of certain things such as Colombia's coffee crop disappear entirely so they can get rich. Among these enemies is a computer genius (Richard Pryor) and a greedy madman (Robert Vaughn). After Superman stops their plans of completely shutting off production of certain things, the maniacs make a plan to destroy Superman.

Overall, "Superman 3" isn't as good as some of the other Superman movies, especially not the original. It doesn't have the awe or wonder that the original had or a great plot like "Superman 2." However, it does have its good moments such as a showdown between Clark Kent and Superman, and when the enemies are trying to destroy Superman by using a video game that shoots missiles at him and makes Atari 2600 Pac-Man sounds. And it also has decent acting and good special effects. Of course, because Richard Pryor is one of the main stars of the movie, "Superman 3" does have its funny moments such as when he and Superman go for a flight.

If you wouldn't mind seeing a Superman movie with a touch of comedy to it, then you might like "Superman 3." However, if you expect it to have the excitement, wonder, or great plot of its two predecessors, it will probably leave you disappointed after you watch it.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Should've been retitled,SUPE III-Missing in Action".
Review: I Love these movies and have this one too to complete the collection despite mixed feeling's. Obviously this is the least favorite of the series due in-part to the change of direction by the director and writer's who set the tone for III. In agreement with the masses it certainly isn't the best,but objectively it stand's alone as a fair movie for what it is slapstick comedy. To a certain other movie-goer it's fun entertainment on that level it succeeds. Bad news is as a Supe fan it dissapoint's because the slapstick kiddie humor and weak adversary character's like Richard Pryor and Robert Vaughn do not belong in a Superman movie where the only real threat to Superman is the Supercomputer itself. Best moement's to this film are Reeve and regular cast the chemical-plant fire disaster,Smallville and Clark with Lana Lang and Clark/Superman fighting self in tyre-yard. For those reason's I've added III to my Supe collection even though I still cringe through the rest of it,worth a viewing but weakest of the-lot.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Disappointing.
Review: Aside from Christopher Reeve's fine performance once again as Clark Kent/Superman, "Superman III" was a major disappointment back in 1983. I remember sitting in the theater as a 10-year-old and thinking, "Is that all there is?" Superman vs. a Supercomputer just cannot compare with him rescuing California from a major tectonic disaster or duking it out above Metropolis with three Kryptonian villains.

I also could never understand why the producers cast Richard Pryor. It's like he bumbled onto the set accidently from a different movie. He's a very talented comedian, yes, but exactly what audience were the Salkinds aiming for? I know I wasn't old enough then to see his concert movies or his vehicles with Gene Wilder. Mind boggling to me.

I missed the magic and awe I felt during the original film. I missed Lex Luthor's scheming ways. But mostly, I missed the witty relationship between Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane. Annette O'Toole is lovely, but her character simply wasn't as fun or interesting as the best girl reporter in Metropolis. With her husky voice and hilarious manic energy, Margot Kidder was absolutely perfect. Two small scenes were not enough.

I really don't like leaving negative reviews, but as a Superman purist, the only REAL Superman movie to see is the orginial. Richard Donner's vision for the film was flawless. The first sequel was fine, but it could have been sooo much better had Donner been allowed to finish (he was unjustly fired after the Salkinds worked him to the bone). Do yourself a favor... preorder SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE on DVD and enjoy!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Another Really Cheesy 1980s Movie!
Review: Get "Superman III" and "Supergirl" by the Salkind folks and you'll have the cheesiest evening ever! In fact, Superman III nearly beats Supergirl in the "pure cheese" category. And if, like me, you're a fan of such movies, you'll absolutely love this DVD.

The story - Clark Kent/Superman goes back to Smallville for a school-reunion and meets up with a really lovely Lana Lang (Annette O'Toole). Unfortunately, there's this businessman and his bimbo girlfriend and his sister who hires Richard Pryor to mess up the world-weather (and Columbian coffee) with computers. Superman turns evil after touching some green crystal (Kryptonite mixed with tar) and gets drunk, then ends up sleeping with the aforementioned businessman's bimbo girlfriend and even pushes the Tower of Pisa straight. Finally, a supercomputer designed by Richard Pryor turns evil and transforms the aforementioned businessman's sister into an evil, mechanical sister. Superman fights them all with acid and then proceeds to make the Tower of Pisa a leaning tower again before soaring off triumphantly. Movie ends. Roll credit.

I hated this as a kid but watched it again last night and absolutely loved it. It's the nostalgia thing again. I knocked one star off my rating for it because there's this scene where Richard Pryor skies off a skyscraper, lands on the street and DID NOT die!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: it'll grow on you
Review: The first was good, the second was ok, the third was original, and then it really went down hill... This movie is worth having on DVD simply because it has all the memorable superman moments -- no sup as a child, or supe in love, or retarded adversaries from outerspace -- no, none of that.... it has superman in a bar flicking peanuts at bottles! what more can you ask for?? Not to mention the vulcan weather satellite -- that could MAKE weather (talk about an 80's view of technology!). This is one of THE 80's movies, with content pertaining to high-powered business men, green-screen terminals, satellites, OIL SPILLS, a good-and-evil showdown that smacks of nightmare on elm street, a really big computer, a cyborg, a jar of acid, video-game-controlled missiles, coal-crushing, timmy-saving, and that Leaning Tower of Pisa guy!! Com'mon -- that guy is a MUST.

It's not perfect -- for example, it's less funny today than it was because some of jokes don't translate well (it might be fairer to say they CHANGE into something which is still interesting, but less of a joke than a commentary) -- but it's still funny enough. Take pryor in smallville: he get's off the bus and see's a tacky suit in a window -- it's not obvious it's tacky when it's set against a backdrop of early-80's fashion. it's still funny, but not ha-ha funny... :)

Simply put, this is REQUIRED VIEWING for any would-be computer science major, or 80's afficionado.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The cyborg is hilarious
Review: I love when Bubba's diesel sister, Vera turns into the cyborg. It scared the bejeesus out of me as a child, but now I see the humor in it. Way funnier than Richard Pryor.


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