Rotten
The impoverishment here is not merely of means, but of spirit.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Tribune
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
Nuclear Power. In the best hands, it is dangerous. In the hands of Lex Luthor, it is pure evil. This is Superman's greatest battle. And it is for all of us.
1987 · 1h 30m · PG
Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Directed by
Sidney J. Furie
Overview
With global superpowers engaged in an increasingly hostile arms race, Superman leads a crusade to rid the world of nuclear weapons. But Lex Luthor, recently sprung from jail, is declaring war on the Man of Steel and his quest to save the planet. Using a strand of Superman's hair, Luthor synthesizes a powerful ally known as Nuclear Man and ignites an epic battle spanning Earth and space.
Director and cast
- Sidney J. Furie Director
- Christopher Reeve as Superman / Clark Kent
- Margot Kidder as Lois Lane
- Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor
- Jackie Cooper as Perry White
- Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen
- Jon Cryer as Lenny
- Sam Wanamaker as David Warfield
- Mariel Hemingway as Lacy Warfield
- Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man
- Damian McLawhorn as Jeremy
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
10%
Tomatometer
Rotten
The overall effect is of a story atomized and dying before our eyes, collapsing into smashed pulp, ground down into big-budget Kryptonite ash.
Michael Wilmington, Los Angeles Times
Fresh
Of course, Superman saves the world, but the real news is that there's still some life in the series.
Desmond Ryan, Philadelphia Inquirer
Rotten
Superman IV is cinematic kryptonite. Not only could it kill the Superman series, it might also leave filmgoers feeling weak.
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
Rotten
The earlier films in the series were far from perfect, but at their best they had some flair and agreeable humor, qualities this one sorely lacks.
Variety Staff, Variety
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