Against a Late-Eighties backdrop of nuclear disarmament, Kal-El decides to rid the world of nuclear weapons and Lex Luthor decides to stop him. Luthor takes a genetic sample from Supermans hair and creates an embryonic sludge that he hides on a nuclear bomb Superman later hurls into the sun. The radiation infuses the sludge, causing it to burst to life as, you guessed it, Nuclear Man. After a battle that spans from the Great Wall of China to Mount Etna and into outer space, the two combatants end up in New York. Nuclear Man throws the Statue of Liberty into the crowded streets of Manhattan but Superman is able to catch it. Unfortunately, Nuclear Man scratches his neck with long, gnarled silver fingernails and Superman instantly falls ill with radiation sickness. Moments after he safely sets Lady Liberty down, Superman topples to Earth. Nuclear Man kicks him into space so hard that Supermans cape tears off and floats slowly through the air to catch on the tip of the Statues golden torch. As a film, Superman IV has few redeeming qualities. Its effects are the worst 1987 could offer, and the direction and editing lack both polish and tension. A low-budget, a poor script and tired acting all contribute to the critical and box office failure of this mess of a movie. Only two things save the legacy of Superman IV: its Cold War message of peace and this one scene where Superman is defeated with such force that he was knocked right out of his cape.
David Wagner is an author/musician who splits his time between Oakland, CA and Istanbul, Turkey.
David has published two novels, both available on his website, and as a fan of movies, comics, and genre television, he is happy to be working with WhatCulture as a regular contributor.
