Superman III (1983)

Synthetic kryptonite laced with tobacco tar splits Superman in two: good Clark Kent and bad Man of Steel.

Director:

Richard Lester

Writers:

David Newman (screenplay), Leslie Newman (screenplay),

Stars:

Christopher Reeve, Richard Pryor, Jackie Cooper

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Reeve	...	Superman / Clark Kent
Richard Pryor	...	Gus Gorman
Jackie Cooper	...	Perry White
Marc McClure	...	Jimmy Olsen
Annette O'Toole	...	Lana Lang
Annie Ross	...	Vera
Pamela Stephenson	...	Lorelei
Robert Vaughn	...	Ross Webster
Margot Kidder	...	Lois Lane
Gavan O'Herlihy	...	Brad
Nancy Roberts	...	Unemployment Clerk
Graham Stark	...	Blind Man
Henry Woolf	...	Penguin Man
Gordon Rollings	...	Man In Cap
Peter Wear	...	Bank Robber

Storyline

Wealthy businessman Ross Webster discovers the hidden talents of Gus Gorman, a mischievous computer genius. Ross decides to abuse his talents, in a way to help Webster with his plans for economic control. When the man of steel interferes, something must be done about Supes. When Gus' synthetic Kryptonite fails to kill Superman, it turns him in an evil incarnation of his former self. The tar-laced Kryptonite pits man against himself, setting up the Clark vs. Superman battle.

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Plot Keywords:

computer | kryptonite | high school reunion | villain | smallville | 

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Taglines:

If the world's most powerful computer can control even Superman...no one on earth is safe.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

WB Home Entertainment - DVD site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English Italian Spanish

Release Date:

17 June 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Superman 3

Filming Locations:

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Box Office

Gross:

$60,000,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dovemead Films, Cantharus Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby (35 mm prints) 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Out of the trilogy, this is the only film which doesn't feature Lex Luthor.

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Goofs

On the subway, after the Ultimate Computer drains Metropolis's power, Ricky speaks without moving his lips.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Unemployment Clerk: Next. Name?
Gus Gorman: Gus Gorman.

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Connections

Edited into Kameleon als schokkend doelwit (2007)

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Soundtracks

"Love Theme"
Written by Giorgio Moroder and Ken Thorne
Performed by Helen St. John
Produced by Giorgio Moroder

User Reviews

More comic-book than the first two.

My Take: It never reaches the heights of its predecessors with its sillier story and ridiculous villains.

Many consider this a weak entry in the Superman film series. Well, I thought it was at first. But when I watched it in numerous reruns, I began to like this. Christopher Reeve excellently reprises his role, alongside comedy favorite Richard Pryor, as a computer-whiz, who is hired by his boss to help fulfill his plans for world domination. Pryor may not do it right sometimes, but he's admittedly hilarious in spots. But painfully ridiculous in some.

Among the things that make it a bit unsatisfying for critics is the lack of the characters from the originals. Lois lane had to go on vacation, so Lana Lang (played well by Annette O'Toole)is Superman's/Clark Kent's love interest. Robert Vaughn plays a sinister mastermind, an okay replacement for the famous villain Lex Luther. What some viewers don't understand is that director Richard Lester wants it to be more of a comic book adventure rather than what scriptwriter Mario Puzo did in the first two.

Rating: **1/2 out of 5.