In Part 2 of this article, we will continue to explore some superhero films that are considered “disasters” to the extent that audiences barely remember them after their brief theatrical runs. Readers can also follow up with Part 1 of the article here.
The Punisher (1989)
Have you ever watched the action movie adaptation where Dolph Lundgren takes on Yakuza gang members? If you think it’s the worst superhero film, you might want to reconsider because The Punisher (1989) might just be… far worse.
The story follows Punisher, a cop seeking revenge on the criminals who killed his family. Lundgren’s performance left viewers cringing with his peculiar English accent coupled with the wooden acting of his co-star, Louis Gossett Jr. The overall quality was abysmal… Everything contributed to making it a “masterpiece” that Lundgren probably wants to forget in his career.
Captain America (1990)
The 1990 version of Captain America is notable for being screened at theaters, but it was quickly shifted to direct-to-video. Why? The answer is simple; the film was too terrible to be shown in theaters.
Unlike the super-soldier Steve Rogers who receives a serum and then battles against the Red Skull through spectacular action scenes, the 1990 version starring Matt Salinger left audiences disappointed as he simply throws a shield and performs some awkward stunts. The film’s quality was severely lacking, rendering it a disaster.
Condorman
Condorman is a Disney film that attempted to capitalize on the success of Superman: The Movie (1978). In it, Woodrow “Woody” Wilkins (played by Michael Crawford) is a comic book writer who decides to become the superhero he created.
This concept caught the CIA’s attention, and they sent Wilkins on a special mission, which involved creating a vehicle and gadgets for Condorman to woo a beautiful KGB agent (played by Barbara Carrera). The film heavily borrowed elements from the 007 franchise, but unfortunately, it was plagued by poor execution that left audiences utterly bored.
Captain America and Captain America 2: Death Too Soon (both 1979)
Captain America and Captain America 2: Death Too Soon were produced for CBS television in 1979, featuring the B-movie star Reb Brown in the lead role. If you haven’t recognized these titles, let me remind you that they are films where Captain America… rides a motorcycle without wearing a helmet.
Indeed, our Captain America doesn’t just carry a shield but also wears a motorcycle helmet (ironically). This version of Captain America remains one of the most questionable portrayals to date.
A few Spider-Man films from the 1970s
Spider-Man was once the main character in a series of television films in the 1970s, including Spider-Man (1977), Spider-Man Strikes Back (1978), and Spider-Man: The Dragon’s Challenge (1979). All of these versions are notoriously low in quality and are often ridiculed due to their poor production values.
The most notable aspect remains the costume, which looked more like a Halloween outfit than a superhero suit. Fans often joke that watching porn parodies of Spider-Man is more enjoyable than watching the 1970s films featuring the web-slinger.
