SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE (1987) Revisited: Superhero Movie Review

If you've been watching DC Films Revisited, you'll know that in our episodes on Superman III and Supergirl, we came close to reaching the nadir of the franchise, but truly the series hit rock bottom when the Salkinds sold the rights to perhaps DC's most beloved character to Cannon Films, who made SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE (1987). Everyone, including star Christopher Reeve, went into this with good intentions, and initially, this was supposed to be a lavish, timely sequel. But when the budget got slashed in half at the eleventh hour, what we ended up getting was a superhero movie that's so bad it permanently killed the franchise and is often cited as one of the worst movies of all time. Is it as bad as they say? Join us this week on DC Films Revisited!
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#SupermanIV #ChristopherReeve #DCFilms

[@SIKE01]

once again, thank you RICHARD DONNER and CHRISTOPHER REEVE for making the first and greatest superhero movie. Rest Gentlemen.

[@krispyskins2122]

No gravity AND no air…. How Lacy survived that space ride with Nuclear Man I’ll never know.

[@breadfan9]

The gravity means nothing. You mean no air and no SUIT to protect from the -113 degree deep freeze

[@1masivac]

What about just being disintegrated when leaving earth?

[@jacobpatton7587]

A wizard did it.

[@billybollockhead5628]

There’s gravity in space. I’m more worried about temperature, and speed of travel

[@avalond1193]

The same way princess Leia and rose tico sister from the last Jedi can breath space air 😂

[@gokinsmen]

It's still a joy to watch Reeve play the character, especially when he's Clark. In fact, all the comedic stuff with Lacy and the Daily Planet is great. It's just the action half of the movie that's hilariously awful. Reeve deserved so much better than Superman 3 & 4.

[@gibbsm]

To me Reeve was so good as Superman, III and IV are my fave. Richard Lester is to blame also, but as a kid I loved these. I also rewatched Supergirl and still liked it.

[@davidmcmahon4633]

So true! His Clark was always the best.

[@glazdarklee1683]

I was lucky enough to see the original Superman when it originally came out in theaters. For a teenager like me, it was a bit overwhelming. The scene with the helicopter stands out as being one of those mind-expanding scenes of which late 70s cinema had many. It hurt me a little inside to see the sequels deteriorate in quality. Fortunately, we will always have the first.

[@tbc9096]

Second one was very good though. Regardless of which version you watch.

[@bonghunezhou5051]

@@tbc9096 Indeed, the "Donner Cut" of II is far better than Superman 3, even though 3 had clearly better production values ☺🎬

[@randallrutherford1384]

The only one I don't enjoy much is part 3.

[@alienlife7754]

Still the most successful Superman movie of all time. None of the newer movies did as well.

[@integrity101]

I have a 4 hour version of Donners Superman (S1+S2). I'll never watch the theatrical releases again. WB needs to properly put out the Donner Epic out

[@MichaelMartin-qe5ye]

Cannon Films exec 1: We should keep doing these Chuck Norris and Charles Bronson movies, they're always profitable. Exec 2: Or we could make a He-man movie and a Superman movie and bankrupt the studio? Exec 1: Sounds good, pass the cocaine.

[@avalond1193]

To be fair both those movies could of been good if they didn't waste the budget on cocaine

[@archangel5627]

When Cannon slashed Superman’s budget at the last minute, that money went to Cannon’s another big project at the time which was Masters of the Universe. It’s such a shame Cannon completely mishandled Superman 4. When you think about it, the film had a lot of things going for it. The producers were able to get Christopher Reeve and the rest of the original cast back, as well as all the technicians who were responsible for all the optical and visual effects. Unfortunately, when they cut the budget they lost a large chunk of the special effects department and it really shows when you watch the final cut of the film. If the movie had its appropriate budget and a tighter script, the film would’ve been much more successful. Even with all of its flaws, somehow I still manage to enjoy Superman 4 as an extremely guilty pleasure.

[@SumDumGy]

Part III is my guilty pleasure film of the franchise. This one, not so much.

[@CommodoreFloopjack78]

Personally, I think having Christopher Reeve play both the roles of Superman and Nuclear Man would've been freaking SPECTACULAR. That change alone would've made the film immensely better.

[@SkarrGaming]

Maybe if they didn't do the whole good Superman vs bad Superman just one film earlier.

[@randallrutherford1384]

Maybe so.... But then it would have been just like part 3..... Good Superman vs bad Superman.

[@BigAL68xyz]

If they had done that, it would have been better to just call the guy Bizarro instead of Nuclear Man. Now THAT would have shown a bit more of Reeve's range.

[@ThomasBaker-tc6gy]

Highly debatable

[@maloperverso8118]

😂😂😂😂

[@chriscox3709]

Christopher Reeve is still Superman to me. He is what I hold everyone who dons the red cape up to, to this day. Superman 1 and 2 are to me anyways two of the best superhero movies ever made, minus some of the special effects. The Superman theme is classic And Lois performing " Can You Read My Mind" gives me chills. Melissa Benoist is an amazing Supergirl and I wish they would make a movie and let her play Supergirl. If wishes were horses, we would all wear red capes...

[@Cyril29a]

7:05 There absolutely IS gravity in space. What keeps things in orbit and the reason things float in space is because the forward motion of orbiting objects is as fast or faster than the speed at which they fall. So as things get pulled down by gravity they are also moving forward and since the earth is round the distance forward they travel keeps them from getting closer to the planet. It's like falling, with style. Since Superman and NuclearMan can fly and hover on their own they aren't in orbit so they experience gravity like those of us on earth. If you go 1000 km straight up and you don't move in an orbit you will feel gravity from the earth pulling you down almost as strongly as if you were on the planet.

[@BuckarooBanzai84]

Yeah, true, but I think the problem is that in the movie, they're not very clear just how far out in space they're actually supposed to be. But good point nonetheless, and I really like your online-handle! Old school! =)

[@SumDumGy]

I was amazed the focus was on a lack of gravity instead of a lack of oxygen. It’s pretty obvious they are out of Earth’s atmosphere.

[@derworfnet]

While deeply flawed and affected by an clearly insufficient budget, I still have a soft spot for this movie... mostly on account of the impression I have that the people involved in its production (with the possible exception of the higher ups at Cannon) *tried*, that they had their hearts at the right place. The Anti-Nuclear-Weapons-theme, while the execution was lacking, was well intentioned and most Actors, especially Reeves, still give solid performances (and Hackman is always a joy to watch). Some of the Special Effects - the model work and the Matte Paintings - look fine. And the Score is actually very good: John Williams himself wrote three new Themes for it and Alexander Courage then did a great job combining these Themes with those form the 1978-Movie and some motifs he himself contributed. Honestly, I wouldn't be against a proper release of the 134-Minute cut. I'm curious how well it would stack up against the version we ultimately got.

[@TheEqualizer-iw1bz]

There’s always gravity in space, but it’s variable. But there’s no life support for humans without a spacesuit though.

[@randallrutherford1384]

There is interest in an extended cut of this film because there is a lot of extra great footage that got cut out. Release the Sydney J. Furie cut! Finish the films special effects. Wow

[@suedenim]

The one thing about this movie that I genuinely like is Mariel Hemingway as Lacey. She's gorgeous, and it's fun that she's specifically attracted to CLARK, not Superman.

[@CrackSparrowGaming]

I always thought she was very odd looking especially in movies after this.

[@BooshmanLee]

Just like Lana in part 3 then.

[@kamdan2011]

9:44 The farm and barn looked pretty spot on from the original to me.

[@BooshmanLee]

Excellent recreations I'd say.

[@stevebragg4256]

Yes, movie his issues but this isn't really one

[@SumDumGy]

That caught me off guard as well. I wouldn’t have known it was a recreation of it wasn’t mentioned. It looks absolutely accurate.

[@LordmonkeyTRM]

A lot of the exterior shots were filmed in Milton Keynes in the U.K.

[@joemills4603]

Was just about to say that myself. :) 07:56 Milton Keynes train station.

[@archangel5627]

Oliver Harper made an excellent behind the scenes documentary on Superman 4 with a focus on Milton Keynes. The production crew really did luck out when they found Milton Keynes as the backdrop for so many scenes in Superman 4.

[@wpflesh6510]

And I only knew Milton Keynes as the place of my favorite Queen gig ever in 1982……Well I know it for something more now thanks!

[@LordmonkeyTRM]

Also one of the interiors was filmed in Sir Frank Markem(?) high school...

[@TheAwmoody]

In my head canon David Brent was just starting his job at Wernham Hogg.

[@TheHistoryPrincess]

I love the OG superman movies. Always watched them with my nan and would happily sit and watch them now over the new ones. It was only a few years back that I even knew there was a superman 4 as it came on TV! I didn't have a clue there was another one after 3. But after watching part of it as seeing the suspension wires that you were clearly not supposed to see...I knew why lol

[@bryanqueensberry6215]

I think they recreated the Kent farm pretty good actually. I remember seeing a broadcast of this on TBS in the 90s & it had the deleted scenes with the special effects complete. I remember it well because I'd seen this a lot on vhs & seeing those deleted scenes confused 12 year old me because I didn't know that almost every movie made had deleted scenes until then

[@KonElKent]

I have a nostalgic fondness for Superman IV, and I don't think it's as bad as the popular piling on would lead one to believe. That said, I'm not blind to its objective problems. And after Cannon screwed over Street Smart and then slashed the budget for Superman IV, I strongly believe that Reeve should have lawyered up and walked away.

[@matthewdaley746]

You could be right, but, I think he, was, the kind of guy who mirrored his fictional persona, and, didn't want to make waves, also, ending a film's production, puts a lot of, less-fortunate, people, out of work, as well.

[@Morgil27]

Christopher Reeve will always be the best Superman in my eyes. Though second place goes to Tim Daley in the 90s animated series.

[@matthewdaley746]

In college, we, were, asked who the best, Batman, was, I named, Kevin Conroy, not, only, was, I, not, laughed out, of the room, but, many others agreed, with, me.

[@montelhelem8707]

​@@matthewdaley746why are you using so many commas

[@emmacrawford11]

Yes Christopher Reeves will always be Superman RIP Christopher Reeves

[@matthewdaley746]

​@montelhelem8707 Quirks, unfortunately are possessed-owned.

[@matthewdaley746]

​​​​@emmacrawford11 He was irreplaceable, unquestionably.

[@Morgil27]

I feel like if the budget hadn't been so low, if so many scenes werent cut, and if the script had gone through a few more drafts, this could've been a good movie.

[@shoesncheese]

damming with faint praise

[@SumDumGy]

I agree! If this movie had been a different movie with a higher budget, it could have not been bad.

[@ojmatthew]

I LOVED Superman IV as a 80s kid (and Masters of the Universe). The faults are only noticed later when I grew up. Therefore it was a great film for me at the time.

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

Think about what those two movies could have been if they both had really good budgets to work with. Plus the revenue from home video and DVD sales would still be keeping them going.

[@JoBloOriginals]

I agree - I only realized it was awful as a teen.

[@geomfilms]

As a kid Superman 4 was my 2nd favorite superman. 1) Superman 2, 2) Superman 4, 3) Superman 3, and 4) Superman. I think i never really watched the 1st superman fully....and i knew it didn't have a 'strong' villian. So i thought it was boring. I didn't like most of 3, but i liked superman vs clark and the scary robot lady at end. But as a kid i liked 2 and 4 because of the strong villians and i found 4 to be funny. I loved the scene with clark/superman trying to be at the same place at the same time and I liked the gym scene when clark puts that idiot bully in his place by throwing him the weights at him. I knew the movie wasn't perfect but as a kid i really liked it.

[@kagemaru259]

I remember when this came out and BEGGING my folks to take me to 7-11 so I can get one of the Superman 4 Slurpee collector cups because you got a free poster with it. Got the cup (One of Superman on the moon with the flag and a portrait of Nuclear Man) but the posters were gone.....

[@yurdp]

I place part IV in the so bad it’s good category. I really enjoy watching it. One further, I’m pretty sure I’ve watched part IV more times than any other chapter.

[@raoulhery]

like Batman and Robin. This cheesy movie is a joy to watch. Unfair criticism

[@yurdp]

@@raoulhery I’d like to agree with you, but that one in particular I cannot forgive.

[@raoulhery]

@@yurdp come on!!! Arnie punchlines, cheesy sets, flashy costumes, bad acting, bat credit card, it has it all. LOOOLLLL

[@kuribayashi84]

John Williams was asked to do the score but was unavaible to commit full-time to the project, as he was busy with Concerts at the time. As far as I know, he himself suggested Courage and even found time to contribute three new Themes. And this Score ended up being the by far best thing about the movie.

[@joey_dangerously]

Reeve did this movie so that he could make Street Smart. Which is actually a decent movie and the breakout performance for Morgan Freeman.

[@matthewdaley746]

Not, to mention, that he's, also, Playing Against Type, as a murderously violent pimp.

[@OnTheWall81]

Street Smart is a good film, true. The problem was that Cannon, despite financing the film as they said they would, spent virtually no money marketing the film. So it came and went in theatres, and as a result, most people didn't even know it was out. As a result, it was a box office flop, despite going on to land Freeman his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

[@HectorJW2007]

The producers or the studio wanted a "Music by John Williams" credit but Williams was unavailable due to his Boston Pops commitments and at the the time he wasn't scoring many movies. But he did compose three new original themes: the Nuclear Man theme, Lacy's theme and a theme for Jeremy. He also recommended Alexander Courage to write the score using his original themes and the new ones. Mr. Courage created a fantastically epic score created mostly from Williams material. I think that if you listen the score without the movie you might imagine the most epic Superman movie ever.

[@matthewdaley746]

There, are, few, Cinematic Sins, greater, than, wasted, soundtracks/composers, John Barry, was, a depressingly frequent victim of this, throughout his, later, years.

[@FatNorthernBigot]

“…and that’s why I’m Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.” - Family Guy.

[@srky4346]

Jon Cryer as Linny saying,” uooohhhhnooooo,” is so freaking funny though.

[@jabig1]

It's still one of the best movies from my childhood

[@robertcarr4172]

This whole movie broke my heart as a kid. Can you imagine if Cannon sold the rights to another studio, and they then waited a year or 2 and raised funds for a proper budget? The actual idea of the film was not bad, and I do think Chris playing nuclear man could have been awesome. But it was crazy to watch a film that came out 10 years after the first, look 10 years worse that than the first

[@loftlegacy]

It's hilarious that a lot of the Metropolis scenes is filmed in Milton Keynes, including outside of the railway station. I remember seeing this at the cinema as a kid and thought it was OK but any Christopher Reeve Superman movie is fine by me.

[@jpaxonreyes]

7:05 - There's definitely gravity in space. The reason we see astronauts float around is because they're in freefall/orbit. Oxygen is the problem with that scene, not the gravity.

[@kamdan2011]

8:19 Matches what we saw in Superman II and in the real life moon landing pictures.

[@edvaira6891]

Say what you will about Reeve’s reasons for getting involved in this (his $4 million payday was bigger than his first three movies combined, I’ve heard!) but, holding firm to insisting Cannon make any OTHER film he chose led to 1987’s STREET SMART, which was a pretty solid movie for him and gave Morgan Freeman’s career A HUGE BOOST (as well as the first of his FIVE Oscar Nominations)

[@matthewdaley746]

Not, to mention, that it, also, featured him, Playing Against Type, (well).

[@GeorgeCostanzais10.]

Me and my neighborhood friends were the definitive target audience for Cannon movies: Rambo-loving-macho-brats of ages ranging from 8 to 14, we couldn’t get enough of those movies and were even able to identify that ‘Golan/Globus’ was an indication of a movie made for us. We were ALL first in line for Stallone’s Over The Top and Chuck Norris’ Delta Force. It got to a point where the parents took measures to limit our VHS rentals of ‘violent’ movies. For me, the turning point was watching the awful Masters of the Universe and Superman IV, I was coming of age as a rather sensible guy and suddenly Cannon films lost their appeal to me.

[@danfors1333]

5:29 So Ozzy Osbourne's orgin story is that he was created by Lex Luthor. Makes sense.

[@Kings_Gambit]

So Jon Cryer was a young Lenny Luthor and now, in the Arrowverse, Lex himself o.o

[@iwasanangryyoungman]

Which was Cryer's main motivation in getting Lex Luthor done right...given his experiences in this rightful stinker and his being a longtime fan of the character

[@SumDumGy]

@@iwasanangryyoungman Sadly, that devotion falls on blind eyes for a TV universe that was barely being watched at the time, and is now all but defunct.

[@asifkhan4822]

I've never been able to watch this movie. But I read somewhere that had it not been for the Salkinds. Richard Donner had actually envisioned the Superman Movies as franchise. That never happened but at least we got the Lethal Weapon series from, I believe if my memory is correct it's the only franchise where he directed every entry up until 1998's Lethal Weapon 4.

[@matthewdaley746]

No, he did direct, Lethal Weapon 4, unfortunately, only the original, was, written by Shane Black, because, Joel Silver got a big head, and, tore up his script, for, Lethal Weapon 2, as a result, we would get, an, obscenely overrated mess, and, two more, atrocious sequels, Richard Donner, was, a total coward, for, allowing this to happen, no question.

[@elliottdiaz1687]

Masters of The Universe budget was not cheap for its time at $22 million. For example... Aliens: $18 million Back to The Future: $19 million Predator: $18 million Robocop $14 million Top Gun $15 million Lethal Weapon $15 million

[@chriscox3709]

It was a garbage movie though. I remember going to see it as a kid. I was SO excited. He-man was my boy. It had very little to do with Masters of the Universe beyond the character names. I left the theater sad. "I don't have the power to like this garbage movie" 🗡️🏰

[@avalond1193]

​@@chriscox3709same here it wasn't a he-man movie and the toys made from the movie sucked

[@clubnientiendo]

There IS gravity in space.. the planets move like they do thanks to it

[@thefonzkiss]

That’s incredibly simplistic and irrelevant to what’s being discussed here.

[@derekhofstetler3998]

The point made in the video is that you won't fall in space. You will either keep following your trajectory or float endlessly.

[@Amarth13]

As a kid this was my favorite Superman movie just because of the fight scenes between the two.

[@b_side8669]

It Wouldn’t make any sense to even have reeves as the villain for a second time in a Superman movie

[@catfishandbass8680]

Christopher Reeve wasn't the greatest person to work with, but he was the greatest Superman to fly with. Rest in Peace

[@kamdan2011]

12:47 Those are reviews of Supergirl.

[@StephenSatterfieldTheSLSway]

We got the excellent Street Smart out of this Superman IV, so it is not a total loss. Celebrate GOLAN and GLOBUS !

[@CptBerns]

I don't understand why people hate this movie. I saw it in the theater when it was first released. Agreed, compared to Superman The Movie and Superman II it paled. But from Superman III it was a huge step up. Superman III was a terrible movie. But Superman IV made me think they were on the right track again.

[@matthewdaley746]

Disappointment often becomes more, than, hate, that's, what happened, yes.

[@intheclear3492]

Finally someone gets it

[@matthewdaley746]

@@intheclear3492 Yeah, it's truly, not, as obvious as we thought when we began this discussion, but, we, eventually, figured it out.

[@SumDumGy]

They hate it because it’s bad, and it’s objectively worse than part III on every level.

[@CptBerns]

@@SumDumGy First of all, there is no such thing as objectivity. Secondly, Superman III was as bad as it could ever get in my opinion. Anything is better than III. Even the worst episode of Lois & Clark was way better than III in my book. For me IV wasn't half as bad as III.

[@chriskneubuhl2557]

David here I been a movie buff for over fifty years and I liked Superman for the quest for peace because of the message. I just watched it in November 20 24 we could really use Superman right now 10 out of 10 popcorn boxes from me. 😊

[@hitfan2000]

The idea for the movie was good-but its execution was quite terrible. I liked the concept of Superman using his power to rid the world of atomic weapons. In fact, he struggles with this idea and the movie dealt with this with nuance and thoughtfulness (basically, should he interfere with the affairs of humankind or not). He also had to consider his late father's wishes for him to not interfere with the affairs of mankind--but then if Superman has the capability to prevent nuclear annihilation, why stand aside because of principles? (and they are lofty ones I might add) Moreover, this theme was entirely consistent with the early comics where Superman did similar actions as well where he would destroy the weapons being produced by war profiteers.

[@Critic_Chris90210]

I'm still sadden I was too young and not even born yet to see any of Reeve's Superman films. I don't care what people say despite the flaws in it, I still enjoy 4th film over the comedic theme toned of Superman 3. I actually wished Mariel Hemingway was found to be casted as Lois Lane than Kidder cause imo, I think she would've had played the character better and closer. And I still loved Reeve's idea of the story and the idea of Nuclear Man. The guy was he'll bent on getting rid of Superman. Loved Jackie Cooper as Perry White best till this day aswell.

[@brysimm404]

Superman IV is the “Star Trek V” of Superman movies. Such a shame.

[@matthewdaley746]

Superman III, was, the, STTMP, of, Superman, films, the buildup, meant, that disappointment, was, basically, guaranteed.

[@davidmartinez52420]

I saw this movie as a kid and remember liking it. Shows what I knew back then...lol. I think this was also the first Superman movie I ever saw, too.

[@ThomasBryant]

Well done on the telling of Christopher Reeves as Superman thru the years. He wasn't perfect, and I am sure had so many flaws as a human being. But through his struggles later in life.... the hope and determination he gave human kind until the very end was (IMO)... his greatest achievement. SuperMan Foever!

[@matthewdaley746]

Yeah, and, for, all of the, (legitimate), problems, The, Salkinds, had, they figured, (correctly), that it, was, far easier to bulk up the right actor, than, to teach somebody, with, muscles to act.

[@kevinobrien9626]

5:40 They cut that character because they wanted to make the movie shorter. They wanted as many showings on as many screens as possible, right out of the gate, before the word got out about how terrible the movie was. Hilariously, Cannon contemplated using that 40 minutes of dreck as the basis of a would-be SUPERMAN V.

[@The_Texorcist]

As bad as it is I feel it’s better than Superman 3. I mean that’s not a high bar to pass. I liked the plot, I even liked most of the characters. I do agree the Cannon touch is definitely felt with the pretty bad practical effects. Still though I hate part 3 with a passion and how it went too far with the slapstick nonsensical stuff so I guess that’s why I give part 4 a pass.

[@donaldduck7461]

1 & 2 from Donner were the best films.

[@matthewdaley746]

Yeah, but, The, Salkinds, had, to, get, petty, and, fire, him, kind of, like, when Joel Silver threw away, Shane Black's original script, for, Lethal Weapon 2, resulting, first, in, obscenely overrated tripe, followed by, two terrible atrocities, really awful.

[@donaldduck7461]

@@matthewdaley746 happens all the time in Hollywood mate

[@matthewdaley746]

@@donaldduck7461 Doesn't make it right, at least, DHWAV, was, on par, with, the original, despite, inexplicably, being rated, second-worst, on, RT.

[@heeeeeresrossy]

I've watched and read nearly everything to do with Superman 4. It remains a real travesty that Canon penny pinched, as the film would have made perfect sense had it not been cut. The original budget would have also allowed for much better special effects. But that doesn't stop me liking this film. It's kinda guilty pleasure.

[@archangel5627]

I completely agree with you. Even though Canon slashed its budget at the last minute, which went to Canon’s another big live action sci-fi film project, Masters of the Universe, I still enjoy Superman 4 for what it is. It’s definitely a guilty pleasure of mine as well.

[@heeeeeresrossy]

@@archangel5627 absolutely. And the sad thing is, Masters of The Universe was an equal flop. The Canon Group simply overstretched themselves. I mean, 40+ films a year is just madness! Because of that, their films all looked cheap & nasty with some atrocious writing. I really don't know what Reeve was thinking about getting involved with this. As soon as Golan & Globus slashed the budget, he should have ran a mile. But of course, if you're offered piles of cash to reprise a role, you're hardly gonna say no.

[@joetwist]

So many scenes that I haven’t seen. Where did you find them?

[@cygryl]

Reeve will allways be my Superman.

[@joey_dangerously]

I didn't even know Superman 4 existed till like early 2000s.

[@chasehedges6775]

Same.

[@raphaelturtle4146]

Cryer crushed it as Lex Luthor. The show he was in was pretty bad. But HE was great. Always 5 steps ahead. Threatening. Imposing. Ruthless. Best live action Luthor by far. I hope we get more of him. With better material to work with...

[@EveryoneWhoUsesThisTV]

Black with no stars is how space looks, unless you are on earth... :)

[@magnuslundberg9675]

Christopher Reeve didn't pump himself up for Superman 4, he's much less muscular here then he was especially in Superman 2 and 3 and even in Superman 1. That also was a big misstake.

[@davidmcmahon4633]

I rarely read the novelization of movies but this time I did. Hate to say it but the novelization was way better then the movie. Get the book! Enjoy the book! Though Reeves still did very wonderful Clark Kent in the movie. That was the best part of the movie.

[@spittinvenom9671]

This dumpster fire 🔥 was a missed opportunity for a proper Reeve send off. A travesty of justice. Reeves was a godsend. RIP 🪦

[@matthewdaley746]

I'm, actually, impressed that they got him to come back, at all, because, unlike, Margot Kidder, he, actually, had a thriving career.

[@robwhelehan]

Amazed that I never noticed the John Cryer connection.

[@negativeanthony]

2:28 Shut up with that! You know, somebody really oughta develop a technology that identifies tricky advertisements such as this and skips them--kind of like AdBlock. It's possible and I don't think its development would be very difficult. It'd probably make the developer rich. ;)

[@A-Man79]

"Briefly" ended the franchise for nearly 20 years!!

[@JonathanRossRogers]

7:06 Somebody should have told whoever wrote this video that there is gravity in space. Maybe they confused gravity with air?

[@thomasrude4512]

Great video and honestly not that bad of a movie. Better than Superman 3 or Supergirl.

[@matthewdaley746]

Gene Hackman reading the phone book is better, than, Robert Vaughn, and/or, Faye Dunaway, doing, The, Collective Works Of William Shakespeare, it, was, still just, totally, awful, period, we're done.

[@BrasilientSelfEmpowerment]

I remember going to see this in the cinema when I was a kid, and being disappointed. I remember seeing a TV programme a year or two before, a kids programme, where they visited a studio, and were filming Superman 4. The scene was Superman and Nuclear Man pushing a load of cars together and crushing them up. I remember it distinctly, but it never made the final cut. Looks like most of the film ended up on the cutting room floor. I actually think it could've been a decent film, a real shame they had all the issues with it.

[@gibbsm]

There are a lot of salient points on the monetization of the news in this movie, so I appreciate that. Lacy in space was hella stupid tho.

[@TheChrisHype]

We could have had a Superman film directed by Wes Craven... We are in the darkest timeline...

[@Paul-wh8np]

I'm buzzing for the Batman reviews 🙌

[@tomhahnl1927]

I was 16 when I watch this one in theaters and back then it was ok for me. Sometimes it is just funny how you realise years later this is actually a bad movie ;-)

[@BooshmanLee]

The Salkinds love for the character? What are you even talking about? Alexander had no idea who Superman was and Ilya's motivation was purely financial. The only reason the first movie worked at all was Dick Donner.

[@matthewdaley746]

The only reason, Lethal Weapon, worked, was, Shane Black, when Joel Silver ruined his script, for, the second film, the results spoke, for, themselves, they, never, recovered from this treachery.

[@SumDumGy]

“Briefly ended the franchise? I’m not sure 20 years is brief. The Jewel of the Nile was a hit? Why does everyone seem to hate it? No gravity in space? What about oxygen?? How did you miss that? The dilapidated farm in this film looks *exactly* like the one in the first film. Those are bolt cutters, not sheers. Sheers are made for cutting shrubbery.

[@fredlandry6170]

Someone should have also told them there was also no oxygen in space.

[@kellyweingart3692]

😂😂😂😂🤦🏼‍♀️

[@sethkaicer319]

Superman 4, the Quest for more money.

[@matthewdaley746]

They didn't find it, indeed, they made less, than, the previous atrocity.

[@sethkaicer319]

@@matthewdaley746 I was a small boy when I saw Superman 3 in the movie theater I actually liked it.

[@matthewdaley746]

@@sethkaicer319 You, were, lucky that you didn't see the first two in a theater, you would have cried, like, a baby.

[@sethkaicer319]

@@matthewdaley746 I saw those in the movie theater as well my friend I'm old. The first one is the best one of course. Then they gradually got worse as it went on. I have fond memories of seeing the first three Superman movies in the theaters. I did not go to see the fourth one.

[@matthewdaley746]

@@sethkaicer319 My condolences, the only, four-film, sagas to fall, that, far, and, that, fast, were, Jaws, Karate Kid, and, Lethal Weapon.

[@Terelon]

I think they say when you're in space or specifically on the moon you won't see the stars so that was realistic for that scene, Laci wouldn't have survived as long as she did in space flying with NM, I wish they would've left it at the 135 min version, I hate when they severely truncate films, they did the same w/ Supergirl originally in the U.S.

[@IanHollis]

Is there a fan edit of Superman IV out there anywhere?

[@Rahsaun77]

I remember seeing this in the theater when I was 10, it had a little promise, but it was so lame and cheesy.

[@JessicaChastainFan]

Despite it's budget flaws, Superman IV is still a fun movie. Christopher Reeve could have phoned it in like every male MCU actor does, but he made sure he put 120% into the performance. Mariel Hemingway as Lacey is without a doubt, the most gorgeous of the Superman movie girls (not counting the beautiful Helen Slater since she wasn't a love interest). Hackman is great as ever, and Cryer does better as Lenny than Lex in the CW Supergirl series. And like Mike Stoklasa from Redlettermedia said, this film actually kept the Superman spirit, tone and moments you'd expect from such a joyous hero. Whereas Man of Steel remains the absolute worst because it was brooding, dark and relied on Superman's violent roid rage to resonate with modern audiences. Superman IV isn't the best of the Reeve era, but it's still a goddamn blast to watch.

[@trikkerman1]

"he made sure he put 120% into the performance"???????????????????? He didn't put in a 120% on the fight scenes. This movie sucked ass like most Cannon Group Films did.

[@chaospoet]

I know this movie is not the best but I will always have a soft spot for it. It was the first Superman movie I was old enough to see in Theaters. I wasn't born yet when 1 and 2 came out and I was too young for 3, but Superman 4 I was old enough to see. I'd seen the other 3 from getting the VHS tapes but seeing Reeves as Superman and Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor on the big screen was unreal. I didn't even care the plot made no sense. They were godlike giants to me on a movie theater screen, unlike the 13 inch tv I had in my room to watch them on before. And while Nuclear Man sucked, in my kid mind, he was the ultimate badass. He beat Superman with ease and made him really sick when it took THREE evil Kryptonians (Zod, Non and Ursa) to even hurt him before. Nuclear Man seemed unstoppable and basically Doomsday before Doomsday! I didn't watch it again until my early 30s and OOF! This movie was infinitely better as a child.

[@leoskyrider]

Good video about Superman IV, can you put back the morph of Brandon's superman in the opening clip?

[@TheAwmoody]

I bought the book of this at my elementary school's book fair. The book had the neanderthal version of Nuclear Man. I remember when finally seeing the movie that part was missing. The bluray has a few missing scenes.

[@nicknoga564]

7:10 …”there’s no gravity in space.” Yes, there is.

[@Phil-pb9be]

Grow up watching Quest for Peace and it is one of my favorites! I honestly like it better than the first movie. Could be because it was always on TV when I was a child and I saw it before I saw the first movie. Superman 2 is the absolute best though.

[@johntoemilytransitionvlog9418]

Superman 3 did not fail it made over 100 million dollars in box office and in vhs rentals. It was a box office hit in 1983. Superman 3 still better Supergirl and Superman 4.

[@stevegeorge6880]

Superman 4 is to the Superman movies as Never Say Never Again is to the James Bond movies. As a film, it is ridiculous. As a vehicle for its star, it showcases what was extraordinary and inimitable about the star in that role.

[@tbc9096]

I will say though NSNA was better than Diamonds Are Forever, in my humble opinion. I think a more appropriate comparison would be Superman IV to Die Another Day.

[@EntretenimientoConPerspectiva]

Hi! Great and exelsior video retrospective

[@wstine79]

Who would've believed that John Cryer would graduate from Lenny Luthor to Lex Luthor.

[@matthewdaley746]

Who would've believed that, 21/2, Men, and, TBBT, would, both, run one season longer, than, Cheers, and, Frasier, despite, them, both, being pathetic from the start.

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@@matthewdaley746 And let us not forget the Simpsons which have now surpassed both The Flintstones and more recently Gunsmoke as the longest running continuously produced television show in tv history LOL!😀🤔😮👍

[@matthewdaley746]

@@SuperMarioBrosIII Yeah, that atrocity won't be put out of our misery until one of the main cast, Kicks, The, Bucket, awful.

[@nicknoga564]

8:25 “if you can call it SPACE… it’s just black with no stars.” That’s actually a scientifically correct portrayal. Daytime on the lunar surface is brighter than on earth, and any stars would be imperceptible in the glaring sunlight.

[@beejay271]

I know I'm in the minority but I STILL love Superman 3 actually Superman 2, and 3 are to this day my two favorites. Superman the movie was always boring to me and Superman 4 was straight garbage. I fully understand why people dislike 3 it is a sharp contrast from Superman 1 and 2 but I think Superman 3 is hilarious!😅 Evil Superman was great and the robot sister transformation was straight nightmare fuel for a kid.

[@rwboa22]

Even though it didn't do very well, "Superman Returns" did do justice (no pun intended) by making Superman III and Superman IV non-canon (the film taking place after the events of Superman II, whether it be the theatrical version or the Donner Cut), although the biggest issue with "Superman Returns" was that of the timeline (early 2000s instead of early 1980s, even though with this movie, it was completely financed by Warner Bros. and not by the Salkinds).

[@inspectorgadget346]

I can see Nuclear Man from Superman IV standing on the volcano drawing in the energy. 😊

[@eudesgeoffroy8416]

Hard to find some Marvel/DC hero that Cannon would have been able to make a movie with. They can't do SFX, so no flying one such as Superman, and more generally no hero with super-powers. Their core business is the good badass guy demolishing villains, so no Batman or Punisher either. Maybe some Black Widow starring Caroline Munro.

[@ralphroshia9247]

To bad they cant put the 30 minutes back in I've seen those deleted scenes they would have helped but it probably cost way to much for the special effects alone so that isn't going to happen but as bad Superman 4 is I still own it on DVD for 3 reasons Christopher Reeve Gene Hackman and the Music Score by Alexander Courage but thanks to Intrada Records I now own the Scores so that reason isn't as strong so even if I remove that reson that still leaves Reeve and Hackman

[@ivane5110]

there's a great fan edit of the Great Wall scene, adding red blurring and showing it as superspeed, something even then we said should've been the explanation. Nuclear Man's look is fine and all, and Bizarro as was done would've been way too 80s cheesey and a more comic accurate look wouldve just been another Superman vs Superman look. But wow did it need polish. I do like that, unlike Superman 3, this is all Superman focused. Maybe if they'd had a better actor as Nuclear Man? And used the Bizarro theme? Or a less comical Bizarro be the opposite of Nuclear man (ugly, bumbling but kind vs handsome, poised but selfish). Even have Bizarro sympathize with Clark's loss since he on some level recalls and misses her too. Or just completely played it safe, read a pile of Superman comics from the 70's or 80's and just adapted that (even getting some skilled actual Superman comic writer to do a screenplay polish).

[@jpaxonreyes]

11:07 - But the tensile strength is huge. It doesn't mean it can't be cut.