Anthony Bergamini
For those anticipating the imminent release of James Gunn’s Superman (2025) trailer, the new McFarlane Superman: The Movie (1978) figure, or the Max streaming release of Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, you may feel inclined to rewatch the classic Superman films. For the uninitiated, Superman (1978) was one of the first times a classic comic book superhero property made it to the big screen with the goal of appealing to adults and kids alike. At the time, the film was considered the most expensive production of all time, advertising itself as the film that will make audiences “believe a man could fly.” With the wide claim success of that film came three direct sequels, the first of which simply being titled, Superman II. Much has been said about the behind the scenes drama of Superman II, especially as the film was released under director Richard Lester instead of Richard Donner following a lengthy dispute between Donner and the studio executives. For simplicity, and for those familiar with the two different versions of the film, this article will focus on the theatrical release of Superman II.
Superman II follows a now established Superman as he struggles to live a dual life as both Clark Kent and Superman. Meanwhile, General Zod, Ursa, and Non escape their Phantom Zone prison, seeking world domination and revenge on the son of their captor, Jor-El. Much of this movie revolves around the theme of purpose. Can one reasonably live the life of great power and responsibility while also participating in somewhat of a normal life? For Superman, this question is posed around the setting of his budding relationship with Lois Lane, who he has grown infatuated with since the events of the first film. Lois is in love with Superman, but not so much with mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent. Throughout the film, the question comes up surrounding the idea of having this relationship in either both of his lives, in just one, or in none at all. For Zod and crew, the question of purpose comes as they seek purpose in a new world after Krypton’s destruction. What initially begins as a quest for world domination turns into a quest for revenge, raising the question, what happens when they finally get what they want? Or better yet, will they ever get what they want?
Starting on the villainous side, the story for Zod and company is much more interesting than just the mustache twirling machinations of a megalomaniacal maniac. Superman II quickly recaps the events of the first film, showing once again how Zod, Ursa, and Non were captured and placed in the Phantom Zone. This quickly establishes their goals, specifically Zod who seeks to rule Krypton with everyone else bowing at his feet. This all goes a layer deeper when they are freed. First, they stop at the nearest structure in space, Earth’s moon. The purpose of this scene is really to establish their power levels being equivalent to Superman’s before they arrive on Earth. Where it gets really interesting is when they do arrive on Earth, showing up in a small town.
For Zod, Ursa, and Non, this scene within the small town helps establish their characters more so than any other part of the film, maybe save for a later scene in the White House for Zod specifically. For Zod, he uses his time in this town as almost a staging ground for his new abilities as he studies humanity. As this segment progresses it becomes clear that Zod is out for power more than anything else, and for him power means the subservience of those around him. For Ursa, she seems more interested in humanity’s culture more than anything else. She has a deep distrust of men and is constantly asking questions about their rank as she collects the badges, nameplates, and medals of men that she overwhelms with her power. Non is the most different, portrayed as childlike, seeking to live up to the potential set for the by Zod and Ursa more than anything else. These villains are all three dimensional characters with their own goals; however, they all seemingly revolve around power.
While Zod is portrayed as the leader and main villain of the film, it is actually Ursa that seems to have the most complex and compelling story. While Ursa follows Zod throughout his conquest, it is clear by the way she takes symbols of authority and places them on her person that she seeks some sort of visual approval, similar to the way that Zod wants people to literally bow down in front of him. For Ursa, it more so comes across as proving herself as a threat immediately and visually, overcoming the patriarchal bias that men have towards women of power. Ursa encapsulates the themes of the film perfectly with this, showcasing the strive to live the life they want, although doing it in a way that is unachievable. Ursa can decorate herself in medals of all types in a way to convince others of her superiority and power, but her insistence on following Zod will always position her as a lackey that does the bidding of others.
Zod on the other hand is his own worst enemy because of his changing motivations. His life goal is clearly encapsulated by his desire to be worshipped in a powerful role; however, he is blinded by his anger towards Jor-El. Zod realistically could have achieved his goal, especially after proving that he could best Superman in combat. But it is his insistence on destroying Superman that leads to his own destruction, following him into a trap. Unlike Ursa, Zod’s initial goal is achievable; however, his wish for both world domination and revenge showcases that theme of the unobtainable “best of both worlds” scenario.
Non is a bit more complicated than the rest, but also follows a simple story because of how unrealistic it is. Early on in the film, Zod and Ursa learn they have the ability to show lasers from their eyes. Upon attempting this, Non fails, noticeably showing his embarrassment. This is exemplary of his journey throughout the film, struggling to achieve the heights of his counterparts. For Non, his goal is unachievable because he is just a lacky, much like Otis is to Lex Luthor.
Speaking of Lex Luthor, the character does have a small role in the film, but one that also follows this theme to a tee. Lex’s journey starts in prison where he escapes with the goal of getting revenge on Superman for thwarting his plans from the first film. Much like Zod, this evolves from his ultimate goal of world domination. But where his goal falls apart is much like that of Zod, where he trips over his own conflicting desires, leading to Superman seeing through his schemes. Lex attempts to get his own power from Zod, doing so as he also attempts to destroy Superman. Once again, this falls apart because both of these concepts cannot be achieved without jeopardizing the other.
Now, before jumping into the meat and bones of the titular character, there is something to discuss with the matter of one Lois Lane. Lois’s story on the one hand can be viewed as a very frequent depiction of a woman from films of that time, living her life in service of getting a man. But, looking a bit deeper, Lois is actually the only character in this film that can see the failings of trying to have her cake and eat it too. For Lois, she knows immediately that Superman can’t be happy living a life as a human and just give up the life he is destined to live. Lois is really the only character that comes to that realization early on, and though she does succumb to the same fate as the others (failing to achieve both her goals), she practically predicts this fate as she questions Clark’s decision to give up his powers before the two even learn of Zod and company’s arrival.
That is where the meat of the theme comes into play and is a perfect Segway into Superman’s story here. For Superman, he has learned from the first film that he has the power to save those in harm’s way; however, he also knows that his enemies will seek to hurt those close to him, especially those vulnerable like Lois Lane. As the film starts, Clark makes an honest attempt to live the life of Lois’s love while keeping his Superman persona separate. The big problem is that Lois is already in love with Superman and has long since friend zoned Clark much to his dismay. There is a bit of hokeyness involved in the next part of the film, where Lois attempts to make Clark admit that he is Superman after she grows suspicious, and this is what forces Clark’s hand, leading him to let the secret come out. In many ways, this alone is exemplary of the film’s theme, with Clark immediately learning the lesson that he cannot live both of his lives separately.
Consequently, this leads to Clark deciding that he should give up his powers after his mother convinces him that he must do this in order to have a happy, safe relationship with Lois. But, as Zod and company take over the United States, Clark learns the lesson once again, that he cannot simply be happy and get what he wants in both regards. This lesson is also taught to him as he discovers the fragility of his life while trying to stand up for Lois in a diner. In this fashion, Clark learns that he must choose power and responsibility or the love of his life, but he cannot have both. When he does get his powers back and confronts Zod, the fears his mother described come to life, with Ursa taking Lois hostage since Lex reveals her close relationship to Superman. This is practically a one-two punch for Superman, who finally learns the lesson that he must keep his life separate in order to keep those he loves and Earth safe, leading to the famous kiss to erase Lois’s memory.
The best part about the theme behind this movie is that nothing is really finite. The film is never saying that these characters cannot have both of the things they want; instead, it proposes that achieving one’s goals has to follow some semblance of prioritization and patience. For Zod, this means that he could have had world domination and kill Superman; however, his blind anger leads him into a trap that makes both of his goals unobtainable. For Superman, this means that he cannot live the best of both worlds by taking the easy way out. Simply revealing his identity or using a machine to take away his powers lead to negative circumstances. Instead, he must continue to strive as both Clark and Superman. If this leads organically to a life where both work, then that is great, but it cannot be forced. Who knows, maybe Superman III will explore that… oh wait.
