SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE

UK, 1987, 89 minutes, Colour.
Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Jackie Cooper, Mark Mc Clure, Mariel Hemingway, Margot Kidder, Sam Wanamaker, Jon Cryer.
Directed by Sidney J.Furie.

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace was something of a postscript to the series. The first three films were very successful, produced by the Salkind Brothers with Richard Donner and Richard Lester as the directors.

Christopher Reeve collaborated in the story for this film and it was produced (somewhat less expensively) for Cannon. Sidney J. Furie, an English director with a long history of razzle dazzle style in his films, acted as director.

Most of the regulars return. Christopher Reeve gives the same engaging performance as Superman and as the bumbling Clark Kent. Margot Kidder is there again as Lois Lane, as is Jackie Cooper as Perry White and Mark Mc Clure as Jimmy. However, some contemporary satire was introduced with the takeover of the Daily Planet by a lurid ambitious editor, played by Sam Wanamaker, in imitation, it is said, of Rupert Murdoch. Mariel Hemingway is his daughter.

However, Gene Hackman is back - and gives a vitality to the film as Lex Luthor. Jon Cryer has a good supporting role as his daffy nephew Lennie. Mark Pilo is the warrior that the build from Superman's hair to confront him.

The usual ingredients are there - but there is also a strong message in the spirit of '80s glasnost as Superman rescues a Russian space mission and gathers up all the nuclear missiles of the world and hurls them into space. The film's heart is in the right place, even if it is lower-drawer Superman.

1. The place of this film in the series? The popularity of the series, of Superman and Clark Kent? The nuclear issue and its relevance, the glasnost of the '80s?

2. The film ten years after the original? The New York settings, the newspaper, the city, the world of Lex Luthor, prison, his apartment? The sequences in space? The importance of special effects and stunts? The musical score - so popular from the other films?

3. The title, the focus on nuclear issues of the '80s, glasnost?

4. The world of the Daily Planet, its crisis, the takeover, the new editor and his style, domineering, his daughter and her place? The reaction of Perry White and the staff? The sensationalism? Beefing up of world politics with headlines? The editor-owner as the villain?

5. The picture of Superman: Christopher Reeve's charm and style? Saving the Russian space mission? Gathering up all the missiles, getting rid of them in space? His visit home, the communication with his mother, the power from Krypton? His works of saving people - Lois in the subway? Declaring the subways safe? The comedy of the interview and his interaction with the two women, being Clark and Superman at the same time and covering his tracks? Clark and his work, the continued mumbling?

6. Lex Luthor as the arch villain, in the chain gang, his nephew organising his escape with its stunts? Lennie and his admiration for his uncle - in his uncle's image? The plans, robbing Superman's hair? Building up the warrior, his getting energy from the sun? The challenge in the Times Square message to Superman?

7. Superman fighting the warrior: the Great Wall of China, building it up again? Mount Etna erupting and his corking it? The Statue of Liberty flying over New York? The battles in space, on the moon and straightening the American flag? Being buried in the planet? The final defeat and the eclipse of the sun?

8. Superman as ill, the power from Krypton? Clark Kent and his sickness? Getting better? The rescue of Lacey?

9. Lacey, daughter of her father, tough, infatuated with Clark, becoming friends with Lois, the preparation of the meal, coping with Clark's absence, her being kidnapped and rescued? Her confrontation with her father?

10. Lois Lane - familiar figure, work on the Daily Planet, going to Paris, the clash with the new editor and Lacey? Becoming friends? The interview with Superman and his continually going off? Talking with Clark about Superman?

11. The sketch of the staff: Perry White, Jimmy, the clashes with the new owner, the headlines, the sensationalism, the arrival of the warrior in the office, the kidnapping of Lacey? Getting back the shares in the paper and winning?

12. The finale: Superman, his speech for peace, nuclear issues? The clash with the warrior and defeating him? Lennie going to the boys' home? Luthor delivered back to jail?

13. The continuation of the myth of the struggle between good and evil, the role of Superman?