A flop in 1987, Superman IV is one of the most maligned sequels ever made.

Right fromSuperman IVs opening credits, the lower production values are plain to see.

Its impossible to imagine just how depressing it must have been to set up this particular shot.

Dont worry, a location scout probably said during filming.

Well stick a couple of fire hydrants around the place, and nobody will suspect a thing…

If nothing else,Superman IVis a movie with important messages in it.

The Earth is too primitive.

Unfortunately for Superman, his well-meaning gesture gives his arch-nemesis a cunning idea…

He does this by first making a Protoplasm grown from Supermans hair cells.

By doing this, Luthor says, Well duplicate creation itself.

The computer inside will need enough material to maintain the high moral standards Ive always aspired to.

Hackman mumbles the end of that sentence, as though even he doesnt quite understand what it means.

Hell pierce his skin, make him mortal.

Make him sick, and dance on his grave…

Originally, the Nuclear Man played by Mark Pillow wasnt the only solar-powered monster Superman fought.

In what would have been Mantles first big-screen appearance, Nuclear Man fights Superman in downtown Metropolis.

In a quintessentially 80s scene, Mariel Hemingway and Christopher Reeve slide into their lycra and do some aerobics.

Theres the scene where Superman suggestively asks Lois Lane, Howd you like going solo?

the villain promises).

Nuclear Man smashes up the Great Wall of China, so Superman repairs it all, brick by brick.

Supermans compulsive love of tidying up is such that Nuclear Man even uses it to his tactical advantage.

Then, in an extremely bizarre development, he flies off into space with her.

Where is he going?

What will he do when he gets there?

We never find out; we can only note that everything we thought we knew about space is wrong.

Fortunately, Supermans quick thinking saves the day.

In case we had any trouble following all that, Superman helpfully explains to Lex Luthor what happened.

High school physics, Luthor.

Every boy can be helped, Superman, he says.

At the very least,Superman IVhas Gene Hackman back as Luthor.

He tells Superman to calm down and buy a kitten.

He dances with Marie Antoinette.

Then, finally, we come to Lois and Clark.

It didnt matter how many minutes I saw him for it always made me happy.

Tell him that I love him.

Ill always love him.

Sadly, this would be the last scene Kidder and Reeve would spend alone together as Lois and Clark.