Much like with the 1989 Batman film, Richard Donners 1978 version of Superman blew audiences away by establishing its own clear alternative universe that was still earnest enough to resonate with viewers. Superman may have ended on a ridiculous note, but it was appropriately ridiculous for the universe in which it was set. The ending established Superman as a God and a loyal protector of earth who would literally turn back time if he needed to. Unfortunately Superman II then came along and decided a heroic Christ figure was lame, and it would be far more entertaining for audiences to see Superman as a normal guy. So the film made him give up his powers, just so that he could sleep with Lois Lane. The results are infuriating, and rather than the joy of getting to see Superman magically flying around the earth like at the end of the first movie, the audience instead got to see him beaten up in a trucker bar. And then when he finally got his powers back, they were incredibly lame in comparison; things like removing a cellophane version of his S and an inexplicable ability to clone. In short, Superman II took the god-like superhero at the end of Superman, and turned him into a goofy horndog who couldnt fight.
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