“Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” is one of those movies that makes you wonder how a franchise that started with so much potential could fall so hard. The first two films brought audiences a version of the Man of Steel that mixed heroism, grandeur, and heart—elements that turned the character into a lasting icon. But “Superman III” already signaled serious problems, with a change in tone that drove many fans away. And if the previous movie seemed like rock bottom, “Superman IV” managed to dig even deeper, making it clear the franchise had lost its spark.
The biggest issue with the movie might be the drastic cut it suffered, from 134 minutes down to just 90. Because of this, many important scenes and subplots were dropped, leaving the narrative disjointed and confusing. It feels like the movie was chopped up, with whole parts of the story seemingly disappearing, making it hard to follow even for those who are familiar with the Superman universe. Director Sidney J. Furie couldn’t bring any cohesion to the film, awkwardly shifting between action and attempts at comedy, without ever finding the right tone. The epic magic of the first films is completely lost here.
Gene Hackman returns as Lex Luthor, the franchise’s classic villain, but sadly, he’s just a shadow of what he was in the first two films. The Lex Luthor who was once calculating, intelligent, and dangerous is now more of a caricature, leaning more into humor than actual menace. Hackman, being the talented actor he is, still seems to have fun with the character, but it’s clear he’s stuck with a weak script and direction that doesn’t know how to use his potential. Christopher Reeve, in his last performance as Superman, seems unmotivated, and it shows in the lack of chemistry with Margot Kidder, which was once one of the highlights of the franchise. The behind-the-scenes issues, with tensions between the cast and production, are evident on screen and negatively impact the performances.
The central plot, revolving around Superman’s attempt to rid the world of nuclear weapons, is an interesting idea, especially considering the Cold War context. However, the movie doesn’t develop this theme convincingly. The conflict is handled in a simplistic and shallow way, lacking the weight that such a relevant topic deserved. At the same time, the introduction of the villain “Nuclear Man,” created from a strand of Superman’s hair, feels like more of a bad joke than a serious threat. The fight scenes between the two are poorly choreographed, and the special effects, which already seemed outdated in 1987, make it hard to take any of the film’s tension seriously.
Speaking of which, the visual effects are undoubtedly one of the biggest steps backward. In 1978, the first “Superman” movie was groundbreaking in terms of technology, impressing with its visuals. Almost ten years later, “Superman IV” looks like a downgrade, with clunky flying scenes and action sequences that feel like they belong in a low-budget TV show. The lack of financial resources is glaring. Cannon Films, the studio behind the production, slashed the budget in half, resulting in a movie that visually doesn’t live up to the grandeur the character deserves. Even the iconic opening credits, with the titles floating in space, come off as a cheap imitation of the previous films.
Another disappointing aspect is the tone. While the first two films managed to balance lighthearted moments with an epic narrative, “Superman IV” awkwardly tries to force humor. The introduction of Lenny, Lex Luthor’s bumbling nephew played by Jon Cryer, is a clear example of this. The attempts at humor involving the character are forced and only further detract from the weight of the story, which should have been about the nuclear threat. The scenes meant to be funny end up just being irritating and unnecessary.
The movie also fails to blend elements of the real world, like the Cold War threat, with the fantastical comic book universe. The resolution of the nuclear conflict is so simplistic it feels like a joke. The script can’t decide if it wants to be a superhero film with a message about world peace or a light action flick. This lack of focus results in a product that does neither thing well. The pacifist message, which could have been interesting, ends up sounding like a poorly delivered sermon, awkwardly integrated into the plot.
The final result of “Superman IV” is a film that seems to have lost its identity, with worn-out characters and a story that doesn’t hold up. Even the soundtrack, still carrying John Williams’ iconic theme, can’t save the movie. It’s sad to see Christopher Reeve, who became synonymous with Superman, say goodbye to the character in such a weak and disorganized film. The legacy he built in the first two is undeniable, but the last two leave a bitter taste and dim some of the shine the character once had.
In short, “Superman IV” is a sad farewell for a franchise that started with so much promise. The film tried to deliver a message about world peace, but the final result is so disastrous that it’s hard not to lament what could have been. For Superman fans, it’s best to ignore this part of the story and hold on to the memories of the first two films, which remain the true pillars of the Man of Steel’s legacy in cinema.
