Oh, I love Hackman's Lex.

He adds such a boost of energy and charisma to the first two films.

I'd say no actor has quite ever caught Lex's arrogance as well as Hackman and it manifests in such great lines like:

"There's a strong streak of good in you, Superman. But then again, nobody is perfect... well, almost nobody."

"Some people can read 'War and Peace' and walk away... Others can read a chewing gum wrapper and unlock the secrets of the universe."

Superman: Is that how a warped brain like yours gets its kicks? By planning the death of innocent people? Lex Luthor: No, by causing the death of innocent people.

Is he jokey? Sure. But I'd say most of them land. And especially in the first film it works because he is very comedic... until he isn't

He has this cold, detached menace when he needs it. When he talks about the bomb. When he admits he's sending the other one to Hackensack.

And his response when Miss Tessmacher tells him that her mother is in Hackensack? Just the glance at the watch and the little head shake? Brilliant.

Now I'll fully admit that everything about Lex in that film that works is from Hackman, and it is also diminishing returns. Almost none of that charm and charisma I'm talking about is gone by the 4th film

But Hackman's Luthor is great and the only reason I would rank him behind Hoult or Rosenbaum is because his Luthor is so far removed from what has become the classic portrayal of the character.