Rating: 
Summary: A must have
Review: This is one of the best DVD's I've seen to date. It's worth buying just for the screen tests alone which include actresses such as Leslie Ann Warren, Stockard Channing and Anne Archer reading for the part of Lois Lane. The cut scenes that are added back to the film are excellent. In fact, I couldn't imagine why they were ever cut, especially the Brando scenes in the beginning of the film.
Rating:
Summary: Young Lois Lane
Review: I saw this movie in the theater as a child. All my life I thought I imagined that the little girl on the train (when young Clark was speeding past it) was Lois Lane. Any time I ever watched it whether it was on video or TV they never showed that it was her. Finally, I was watching the movie on Encore and what do you know....they showed a scene with the little girl talking to her parents in the train about what she saw and they hushed her and called her Lois Lane. I knew I wasn't imagining it! I hate it when they cut things out for whatever reason. How tormenting it was for a child who loved movies. And still does.
Rating:
Summary: Look! Up on the screen! It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...
Review: "Superman" recalls a time when adventure movies had their innocence and weren't shameless corporate marketing devices. This film has the same energy and spirit as the "Batman" movies, but what makes "Superman" a cut above the rest of the other based-on-a-comic movies is that this film has a heart. Christopher Reeve is perfectly cast as the man of steel who parts from his father (Marlon Brando) and is transported to Earth to fight evil. Gene Hackman is devilishly good as Lex Luthor and Margot Kidder shows spunk and verve as Lois Lane. The DVD is also an attractive package: although the picture leaves a bit to be desired, the sound is so solid, it looks like it was recorded this year instead of 1978. Plus, the features are a real treat, including a few featurettes, and the original trailers, which show how long a way we've come in marketing films. As with all franchises, the Superman films hit a dead end and wore out their welcome, but the original is the first and best. Recommended for all viewers.
Rating:
Summary: The hero of Superheros...
Review: As we all know, Superman is larger than life. He flies, he lifts battleships, he sees through walls, he protects the innocent. He is a true American hero. Created by immigrants in the early 20th century, Superman has been through countless recreations and revisions. Even today, with the TV show Smallville, we are constantly trying to update and dig deeper into this character, trying to relate to him more, and at the same time idolize him for his ideas and purity. When Richard Donner and the Producers of this movie started working on Superman, they knew bringing this character to the screen would require a great challenge just in the realm of believability. Getting a man to fly would be tough, and getting him to look real was going to be tougher. The amazing thing is, Donner brought him to life in so many other ways as well. Christopher Reeve plays the lead character with heart and purpose. Donner made sure we felt something as this boy becomes a man and then moves on to start saving the world. He does not stand as a chest-forward, pompous powerhouse that puts his ego or well being above anyone else. Reeve is superb as Clark Kent and Superman. No one could ever believe that a man who only wears glasses and slouches could hide the fact that he is the same man who dropped a boat full of bank robbers in front of the police station. But Reeve does it, unbelievably he does it. Donner is a great director, handling films after this such as all four Lethal Weapon movies, Conspiracy Theory and Maverick. He directed most of the second Superman movie, but you can tell someone else took over by the looser handling of the picture. This movie stands out above all the others though. The chemistry between Reeve and Margot Kidder, who plays Lois Lane, is incredible. Both of them have to switch gears in their characters, Reeve obviously between Kent and Superman, and Kidder between the tough reporter and the love sick woman who can't stand to be around Superman without blushing at everything he says. Both performances are pulled off expertly. Gene Hackman is brilliant as Lex Luthor, the greatest criminal mind of our time. He portrays Luther as he should, a man of the mind, not a man of violence. This is why Luthor is Superman's arch enemy, he is brilliant. Superman on the other hand, although smart, cannot be stopped by physical means, but cannot stop Luthor if on some levels he chooses to use tactics that are too far reaching, as he does in this movie. The extra disk is full of good stuff, great behind the scenes documentaries and interviews. This DVD is highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Not quite what I expected
Review: I'd been waiting for Superman to be released on DVD for a long time. So when I saw it in a special edition pack with Superman II, I grabbed it straight away.
The first half of the movie is pretty much the same as the old video and TV releases of the movie. The extra bit at the start with Marlon Brando is OK, but I think that you see most of that in Superman II anyway(?).
The second half of the movie is really poor. It suffers from being extremely disjointed. The missile heists, in particular, are cut down to only a few minutes. The final grabbing of Lex Luthor and Otis by the Man of Steel does not happen - one second you're looking at Lois Lane in the desert, a quick cut to Superman flying, then all of a sudden it's night and Superman is flying into a prison with a villain under each arm.
Audio - well I'm not too sure here, but it seemed that the audio was muffled throughout. I will have to check that on another setup though.
Overall, still a good movie.
Rating: 
Summary: It's SUPER, man
Review: Rather than a critique of the movie, which is fairly entertaining, but has some flaws, this review is based mostly on the quality of the DVD. Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, and Ned Beatty are enjoyable in this film, and worth watching.Surprisingly clean, the careful transfer of this 23 year-old film to DVD is a lovely sight. The Dolby 5.1 audio track sings, and the music of John Williams, featured by itself on one of the audio tracks, is as powerful as the main character.
There are plenty of additional features to enjoy, including screen tests, special effects tests, and an enjoyable commentary throughout by director Richard Donner. The movie has some shortcomings- Margot Kidder was roundly criticized for playing Lois Lane, as one reviewer wrote in 1978, "like a reformed hooker." But this movie has become an icon, and this DVD provides a clear (almost X-ray vision) look at an American classic.
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Summary: A Unforgettable Comic Classic Adaption
Review: Superman is one the greatest comic book adaptions to date and now 23 years later it still is not mention this great DVD to. As the film opens we see Jor-El (Marlon Brando) banish three Kryptonite criminals out of Krypton because of what they did to endanger. Then a couple of new scenes are restored revolving the decision of the council to decide what penality Jor-El should face. Jor-El decides he must send Kal-El his only son to earth, and he does. After that the Krypton sun approaches Krypton even more and the planet expldes. When the small star like vessel is traveling he happens to pass by the Kryptonite criminals in the glass spining off (we'll see them again Superman II). He crash lands on earth somewhere in Kansas and is adopted by childless couple who offer him much love even though they knew his powers. He is raised as Clark Kent shy, dosen't talk to much, and dosen't have many friends. After his adoptive father dies he discovers the green crystal in the farm from which he Jor-El sent along with discovers he must leave and find out who he really is. He heads of somewhere cold and throws the crystal far out and somehow the crystals start to build and becomes what is known as Fortress of Soltitude. He discover's his real father and the his birth place as well. Soon enough the second half is what you'll never forgot. The much older Clark Kent (Christopher Reeve) works at The Daily Planet and meets Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) his love interest. Whenever Superman reveals himself to the public he's a superhero and quite unbelievable. But he meets his most unforgettable foe to Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman). Its up to Superman to stop the madman and saves the people he cares about. This movie is Unforgettable never without the doubt Christopher Reeve made us believe Superman can fly, he make a perfect resemblance to Superman, and his acting is quite excellent he was made for this roll. Gene Hackman is great as the sadistic criminal mastermind Lex Luthor a performance sure to please. Thumbs up as well for Margot Kidder as Lois Lane she is quite the actress for her role. Marlon Brando's role as Jor-El was short but none the less he was great in the character. The DVD is marvelous its in Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1 the way it should be the picture is best watched when your in the dark you can see the bright color off of Superman's uniform. The sound is magnificent in 5.1 Surround espically the credits its awesome and truly unforgettable as well. Superman will always be remembered as A Unforgettable Classic and not to mention the DVD.
Buy it!! You will always remember this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Superman Flies High
Review: This 1978 blockbuster masterpiece still remains to be the all time greatest comic book movie ever made. Nothing in the 23 years since has even come close(Except for Superman 2). Director Richard Donner gives audiences a fun filled fantasy/adventure that is pure cinema magic. The movie is very faithful to the origin of Superman and all the characters involved. We see young Clark Kent go from young kid in Smallville to mild mannered reporter for The Daily Planet in Metropolis. There, an evil, brilliant Madman named Lex Luthor(Gene Hackman)is planning on destroying California. The action scenes are exciting and brilliantly filmed. The acting is dead on perfect. Christopher Reeve brings klutzy, befuddled Clark Kent to life, and then turns around is brilliantly solid as the greatest hero of all time. Gene Hackman is over the top perfect. His performance is as classic as it gets. He also gets to toss off some rather funny one liners. Ned Beatty also delivers some nice comedic relief. It was hard to believe that it's sequel surpassed this film. That's very rare. Reeve will always be the one and only Superman. And now, in his handicapped state, he is still Superman even more so. All recent comic book superheroes can only dream of having a film and legacy like this. This is a dazzling, brilliant film that is an American treasure. Keep on flying Superman!!.
Rating:
Summary: Superman the Movie DVD
Review: At long last Superman gets the treatment he deserves. This movie is a classic piece of Americana. The DVD has fully restored the movie to its original glory. In fact, it's even better than the original! The soundtrack has been fully restored. The sound-effects have been cleaned up and in some places replaced with newer, cleaner ones. The film itself has been restored and now glows on the screen. We finally get to see Superman in widescreen format as he was meant to be seen. A few scenes have been added which make it a more complete movie. This alone would make the DVD a worthy investment, but it has much more extra stuff on it too! It comes with three documentaries that feature interviews with Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz, the creative team that made Superman the Movie what it is. They are hosted by Marc McClure (Jimmy Olsen). They also include interviews with Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, and Margot Kidder, as well as others. You also get to see the screen tests from Chris Reeve, Margot Kidder and others. You can even listen to audio commentary from Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz during the movie. Included is a synopsis of the history of Superman. You can also see the filmographies of some of the cast including Chris Reeve and Gene Hackman. If you're a Superman fan, and even if you're not, BUY THIS DVD!
Rating:
Summary: What may have been
Review: Should be the title of this DVD. You watch this film and you realize that Richard Donner had his finger on what Superman should be. His skillful handling of this film mixed with the mentioned "what might have beens" of Superman II makes you yearn that the Salkinds would have left Donner in charge of the franchise. If you love Superman, if you love the story of an American hero, if you love the a love story, this is the movie for you. Buy it. Own it. Watch it alot.
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