1) Superman Vs. Clark Kent (Superman III, 1983)
Superman III is one of those hellish messes of a film that has to be seen to be believed. You’re honestly better off not watching it, though it does contain one of the best comic book film face-offs of all time: Clark Kent vs. Superman. Yes, it’s just as crazy and awesome as it sounds.
After being exposed to some synthetic black Kryptonite, Superman experiences a bit of internal conflict, and his dark side begins to show. He succumbs to his dark urges, makes inappropriate sexual advances on Lana Lang, has sex with the villain’s girlfriend, and finds himself in a dingy bar somewhere where he gets hammered and flies off.
He eventually lands at a junkyard, yells out in frustration and literally splits into two people: the evil, drunk, and unshaven Superman, and the mild-mannered and bespectacled Clark Kent.
The following fight scene is incredibly dark, especially when compared to the rest of the campy Richard Pryor antics that doomed Superman III. There’s hardly any talking and very little explanation, but the weight of the scene is perfectly clear: Superman is battling with his inner demons, while Clark Kent is literally fighting to overcome them and once again become Superman.
Christopher Reeve truly shines in the fight, playing both parts magnificently. Not only is his drunken and darker Superman very creepy, but completely different than the smiling, lovable Man of Steel we’d become accustomed to at that time. He plays Clark like he always has, but as the fight goes on Clark finds his inner strength and overcomes his darker self, once again becoming the true Superman and flying off in triumph.
The seven minute fight is truly something unique, and is surprisingly one of the best fights we’ve seen in a Superman film. I’d personally say it’s better than anything we see in Superman II, mostly because of how understated and psychological it is. We’re used to seeing Superman bend steel and beat the crap out of super-powered bad guys. What we’re not accustomed to is seeing him literally engage in fisticuffs with himself.
