Superman IV: Okay, I Have Thoughts (Mostly Sad Ones)

Okay, so I finally watched Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. I knew it was supposed to be...not great. But honestly? I went in hoping for some cheesy, fun escapism. What I got was... legit sad. Like, 'sitting in the dark contemplating the state of humanity' sad. I know, dramatic much? But hear me out! Christopher Reeve. He clearly believed in the message. You can see it in his eyes, even through the dodgy special effects. The whole concept of Superman trying to get rid of nuclear weapons? Powerful! But then it's undercut by...Nuclear Man. Nuclear Man. I can't even. What was that hair? The terrible acting? It just made the whole thing feel so much cheaper than it should have. There's this one scene where Superman's lecturing world leaders, and for a second I actually felt goosebumps. But then Nuclear Man shows up and roars, and I'm reminded that I'm watching a movie that had its budget slashed. It's just tonally all over the place! And Lois! Margot Kidder deserved so much better. She's sidelined and just doesn't have the spark she had in the earlier films. I wanted more Lois and Clark, more of their connection. Instead, we get a weird love triangle thing with Mariel Hemingway that just felt... off. It's like they forgot what made the first two movies so special. I almost cried when Superman was poisoned; it was genuinely heartbreaking seeing him struggling, but then the deus ex machina with the crystal he just happens to have? Come on! Ugh. I'm just...disappointed. There were good intentions here, and Reeve's commitment is undeniable. But the execution? A total letdown. Maybe I need to go rewatch the first movie and cleanse my palate. Anyone else feel this way? Or am I just being overly sensitive (probably lol)?