It's been a while since I watched this film and also the last Superman film I saw was the abominable Man of Steel, so I saw Superman II in a new light and fell in love with it all over again. First of all, yes, this film is extraordinarily camp, time has not been kind to it and over thinking the stylistic choices can ruin the enjoyment in seconds flat. Despite being made during the Bronze Age of Comics, Superman II is very much a Silver Age story, complete with Superman making up powers on the fly, skin-tight costumes and broad dialogue. If, however, you can get past this and watch the film for what it is, it is brilliant.
Superman prevents a hydrogen bomb from exploding in Paris (at the Eiffel Tower, no less) and the resulting shock-waves free General Zod and his cronies from the Phantom Zone to menace Earth. Meanwhile, Superman has revealed his secret identity to Lois Lane and temporarily given up his powers to be with her. Superpowered beat-ups ensue.
In terms of miniature gaming potential, there isn't much to be had in Superman II, the technology of the time prevented the fight scenes from being as quick as they should have been, though the fight in Metropolis is still pretty exciting. Personally I much prefer the look of Terence Stamp's Zod to any of his comic appearances or Man of Steel, it's a shame no Clix or miniatures were ever done of him.
As a Superhero film, 7 out of 10. Very quotable.
"Come to me, son of Jor-El, kneel before Zod!"
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