11 Reasons Why 'Superman III' Is Better Than You Remember

Superman has certainly come a long way ever since Christopher Reeve reignited the character on the big screen back in 1978. To this day he is still highly regarded for his interpretation as the Man of Steel, however, when asked, most people will generally reference the first two movies as being Reeve’s best. Albeit, at the time of release, Superman III (1983) was critically panned compared to its predecessors. And with the bombshell that was Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, that only seemed to strengthen people’s opinions that the last two films in the franchise (discounting Superman Returns) were their least favourite.

However, another revisit to Part III and audiences may find it’s a lot better than they remember. With some of the best effects out of all four movies, more range to Superman (and even Clark Kent) than what had been seen before, and even a solid story arc (swimming in variety) that comes back on itself, we’ll be looking at the reasons why there’s a lot to love about Superman III.

It Touches On Real Life Issues

The opening of the third instalment fits in with the usual world of Superman, robbers, explosions, and even someone almost drowning whilst trapped inside a car! However, shortly after this, we gain a bit of insight into Metropolis at ground level, namely the large unemployment rate. It’s at this stage we meet one of the movie’s antagonists, Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor), after finding out his benefits are being stopped, he is forced to find a job.

Unlike the first two movies, this feature focuses on more than just a supervillain and an eccentric huckster hellbent on real estate. Instead, it gives us an average Joe, who gets a bit greedy and doesn’t necessarily make the wisest choices when it comes to “improving” his situation.

Gus Gorman Is Quite The Adversary

Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor), is a somewhat useless individual always out of work and stumbles upon the fact he’s a whizz when it comes to computers. After starting his new job as a computer programmer, it’s not long before he discovers a way to re-route all the discarded half-percents from payroll into his bank account (a plot point which would eventually be used in 1999’s Office Space). This eventually gains the interest of his boss, billionaire, Ross Webster (Robert Vaughn) who seeks to use Gorman’s talents to give him financial control over the world.

Webster then gives Gorman the money and resources to help build a supercomputer, a supercomputer that apparently will do whatever you tell it to do. A nifty little feature of this machine is its ability to scan its chosen target and find its weakness. When face-to-face with Superman, within moments of scanning the Man of Steel, it isn’t long before it hits him with a ray of pure kryptonite.

Realizing the error of his ways, Gorman then attempts to destroy what he created. In the end, Gorman is seen as a nice guy who just got in with the wrong crowd and is given a pass by Superman himself. Although given his running trait of playing the victim and impersonating someone else, who knows, perhaps his innocence was just another one of Gorman’s cons.

Obviously, it doesn’t help matters that the front cover/poster features Superman carrying Gorman in a comedic fashion, but rest assured, he was definitely one of Superman’s more intelligent, onscreen advisories.

Clark Kent Does Some Actual Journalism

Although Christopher Reeve nails the contrast between Superman and Clark Kent in all four movies, there’s one thing they don’t really expand on. . . Clark is a journalist.

In this movie, we get to see more of Clark as a person as opposed to just a clumsy boy scout.

In this movie, we get to see more of Clark as a person as opposed to just a clumsy boy scout. After suggesting to Perry White that he wishes to go back to his hometown to cover his high school reunion, he is given the go-ahead and he and Jimmy Olsen set sail to cover a story, without Lois Lane at the helm for a change.

This not only reminds us how Clark pays the bills but also gives us more of an insight into the man behind the ‘S’ once he touches back down into his hometown of Smallville.

It Revisits Character’s From The First Movie

During the Smallville segment of Superman (I), we get to see a brief glimpse of Clark Kent’s social life, which is practically non-existent. Two characters that stand out however are Lana Lang, whom Clark is infatuated with and high school bully Brad Wilson . . . to whom Clark is indifferent.

During his visit back to Smallville in Part III, we get a glimpse of how these character’s lives have been. Lana Lang (Annette O’Toole) could have just been introduced as a new love interest and nothing more, but the character was instead given a more in-depth background. A single mother striving to get out of Smallville, especially from the men. Enter older Brad (Gavan O’Herlihy).

Brad fits the profile of a person who peaked in high school. Still infatuated with his ex, Lana, Brad seems to have a bit of a drinking problem and a short fuse. Coincidentally, while working the night shift for his security job, his ability to be bought with alcohol meant he was the perfect stooge for Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor) to manipulate when uploading his sinister programme.

Lana was last seen getting a job at the Daily Planet, fulfilling her dream of escaping Smallville (then disappeared in Part IV for some reason). Brad exited how he entered, angry and bitter, ironically shouting “Nice guys finish last.”, before swinging and missing Clark, then being carried by a lunch trolley into an elevator.

There’s A New Love Interest

The romance between Superman and Lois Lane is renowned, for comic and non-comic fans alike. However, given the way Superman II ended, with Superman erasing Lois’s memory, due to them just not being able to work, it wouldn’t have made much sense to go down that route again.

Enter Lana Lang ( Annette O’Toole), Clark Kent’s high school crush. Showing traits of a strong woman from another angle, Lana isn’t just work-driven but is also a single mother who always puts her son first, offering a new dynamic to a love interest.

Not only that, but unlike Lois, Lana is more infatuated with Clark than Superman. This allows us to see Clark drop his guard, showing us the man he truly is instead of the fumbling facade he constantly performs in front of Lois.

There’s A Different Villain Besides Lex Luthor

Although Gene Hackman absolutely nails it as Lex Luthor, the greatest criminal mind of all time, to use him as a villain for three movies in a row may have run the risk of becoming tiresome.

Ross Webster (Robert Vaughn) embodies a lot of the same aspirations as Luthor, financial gain, and power (not to mention the lavish lifestyle), but there’s certainly a new dynamic that Webster brings to the franchise. Being the billionaire he is, his endless resources fill Superman’s obstacles with variety, from supercomputers, oil spillages and robots, to even manufacturing synthetic kryptonite!

Rest assured, although he only had a brief stint in the franchise, he was a man who knew what he wanted and didn’t mess around.

Rest assured, although he only had a brief stint in the franchise, he was a man who knew what he wanted and didn’t mess around. In short, Superman definitely had his work cut out for him where Webster was concerned.

I ask you to kill Superman, and you’re telling me you couldn’t even do that one, simple thing. – Ross Webster

We See A Darker Side To Superman

Aware that Superman may interfere with his plans, Ross Webster (Robert Vaughn) decides to take him out of the picture, with Kryptonite. Of course, Kryptonite not being available at every outlet, he assigns Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor) the task of creating their own. The only problem is that there is an unknown element to the alien substance causing them must improvise.

This synthetic Kryptonite ends up having an undesired effect on Superman and he becomes evil. This doesn’t happen instantly, at first he gets up to childish antics, straightening the leaning tower of Pisa, blowing out the flames on the Olympic torch, but as the movie goes on. . . he (and the cleanliness of his attire) gets progressively worse.

From making very uncomfortable advances on Lana Lang (Annette O’Toole) and developing a drinking problem, to even straight-up sleeping with one of the villains, this certainly isn’t the type of behaviour we’d expect… from Superman!

From making very uncomfortable advances on Lana Lang (Annette O’Toole) and developing a drinking problem, to even straight-up sleeping with one of the villains, this certainly isn’t the type of behaviour we’d expect… from Superman!

Seeing Superman in a mental state like never before, this leads to a metaphorical/symbolic battle between him and his good side, Clark Kent – and is certainly a duel to remember.

Not only that, but his descent into darkness makes it all the more satisfying when he goes back to being the Superman we all know and love, pulling open his shirt and revealing his pristine ‘S’.

Lorelei Is More Than Meets The Eye

Playing what Miss Tessmacher was to Lex Luthor in the first movie, we have Ross Webster’s “accomplice” Lorelei (Pamela Stephenson). Only, unlike Miss Tessmacher, Lorelei isn’t just an attractive assistant. When we are first introduced to the character, her appearance, mannerisms, and even her voice, seem to have a very Betty Boop-esque quality. As the movie progresses, however, it seems she is more than meets the eye, as her actual intelligence begins to slip out more and more.

It soon becomes apparent that the way she portrays herself is simply a facade to get what she wants. This certainly seems to be working for her as not only does she live a plush lifestyle alongside a billionaire, but she even manages to use her charm to get (evil) Superman in the sack!

It is unknown what ended up happening to Lorelei. She was last seen being held prisoner by a supercomputer, at which point she dropped the act and her final words were a plea for help before being buried beneath a pile of rubble.

Although a quick conversation between The Man of Steel and Gus Gorman alludes to the fact she and the other villains are still alive, it is safe to assume her charms didn’t keep her out of jail.

It Contains Some Of Best Special Effects In The Franchise

The first movie made audiences believe a man could fly and although this film had the same effects team as the prior two instalments, certain things look a lot more “crisp”.

As well as the flying sequences look a lot clearer and Superman going toe-to-toe with himself, the best example features Superman battling missiles (like, flat-out booting them away).

Unfortunately, Part IV did not keep up the tradition of improving the special effects with each instalment and instead is remembered for having the worst effects in the franchise – securing Part III in the first place.

It Includes Some Pretty Scary Body Horror

Perhaps this is more of a plus for horror fans but it is still worth mentioning. The finale of this feature sees Superman facing off against a supercomputer. After the three stooges (Ross Webster, Vera and Lorelei) behind the creation of the technological villain realise the system has become sentient and they’re in way over their heads, they try and make a run for it.

Unfortunately for Ross’s sister, Vera (Annie Ross), when bringing up the rear, she is snagged by the machine, proceeds to be entrapped in its wires and turned into a human-machine hybrid. Her new mechanical, emotionless, form (not to mention, haunting) is short-lived as Superman defeats her pretty fast, but the whole sequence was definitely a – although somewhat dark – memorable moment in the film.

This may have felt more at home in a David Cronenberg movie, but on the other hand, it definitely succeeded in adding another hurdle for Superman to overcome as well as another layer to a movie already swimming in variety.

The Ending Is Foreshadowed At The Very Beginning

Where live-action the Man of Steel is concerned, the final act will usually see him in a battle of fisticuffs. Indeed, we do get this battle (between Superman and Clark Kent), however, the story doesn’t end there! In the third act, we actually get to see Superman use his brain as well as his brawn.

When taking on a supercomputer that has developed some sort of artificial intelligence, Superman goes back to something that was foreshadowed at the very beginning of the film. Whilst saving a bunch of people from a chemical plant in the first act, he came across a liquid that was described as being able to eat through anything when reaching a certain temperature. Superman, realising the computer will read it as a non-harmful substance when cool, takes a batch of this chemical to aid him in his final fight.

The machine, unaware of what Superman wields, as it begins to “devour” him, is bested when the substance begins to heat up and melts through the sentient beings’ circuits. Just goes to show, even for Superman, every day is a school day!