Superman 3 with Christopher Reeve, Richard Pryor, Robert Vaughn, Annette O'Toole

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Superman #3 (C)
	STARS... Christopher Reeve, Richard Pryor, Robert Vaughn, Annie Ross, Annette O'Toole, Jackie Cooper, and Pamela Stephenson. PLOT SUMMARY... A ruthless tycoon and a computer genius team up for world domination. QUICK SCAN... This film could be compared to "Hanger 18". SUPERMAN 3 features action, humor, and FX. Robert Vaughn ("The Man from U.N.C.L.E.") gives a broad, unsubtle performance as the tycoon. Richard Pryor makes a weak impression as the computer genius. The film's Score recycles some of John Williams original "Superman" themes.
DIRECTOR: Richard Lester YEAR & RATING: 1983 (PG) BEST BETS: Superman Superman 2	SYNOPSIS... Superman/Clark Kent goes about his business in Metropolis. Behind the scenes, an evil rich guy plots nefarious doings. The evil rich guy hooks up with a computer whiz. The computer guy doesn't really know the bad guy's true intentions. Destructive computer "plagues" are unleashed and hassle society. The computer whiz sees the light. He hooks up with Superman. The evil rich guy is defeated.
Review: Director Richard Lester's SUPERMAN 3 is a weak followup to his excellent "Superman 2". Christopher Reeve, as he did in the first two "Super" films, delivers a flawless performance as the Man of Steel/mild mannered reporter. The fact that we continue to buy into the reality of Reeve's characterization(s) allows this film to stand confidently on its feet, if not actually take off. Director Lester lets that former "Man from U.N.C.L.E", Robert Vaughn, play his role too broadly. His sinister tycoon is painted all black, with no shadings of gray. He won't make you forget Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor. Margot Kidder returns as the brittle yet tough lady reporter Lois Lane. She is not given nearly enough screen time. Ditto for faithful Jimmy Olson, played once again by Marc McClure ("After Midnight"). Jackie Cooper seemed appropriately world weary, as Perry White, in the first two outings. Now he just seems weary, particularly of playing this same character again. Richard Pryor ("Car Wash" and "Stir Crazy") then a hot box office winner, didn't help his career with his performance here. Pryor once again manages to hide his comic genius, as he does in many of his non-concert films. The film's Score features some recyclings of John Williams classic original "Superman" themes. They're still a delight to hear, even under these dreary circumstances. SUPERMAN 3 is a weak Sci-Fi effort. If you really dig Superman, ditch 3 and 4, and rent "Superman" and "Superman 2" for a super duper double feature. SUPERMAN 3 never takes off! MovieMonday.com * Super Star Index * Award Winners * CelebrityFrame.com

Superman #3 (C)