Rating: 
Summary: The Best Comic Book Adaptation Ever
Review: The first line of Superman: The Movie is Jor-El (Marlon Brando) telling the Kryton Council "This is no fantasy." This line is symbolic of the movie that is about to follow. When one watches Superman you do not feel as if is a fantasy. Superman takes itself totally seriously and it is therefore an immensly entertaining and believable viewing experience. The video quality of this DVD is excellent. This is the first time I have seen this film since I was young. Now that I'm older I can truly appreciate the riveting performance Christopher Reeve gave as Clark Kent/Superman. Reeve provided each character with a distinctive personality. This lent credibility to the story. Reeve's mannerisms also gave the flying sequences authenticity. The greatest compliment I can give Christopher Reeve is that whenever I think of Superman I will instantaneously think of him. The supporting cast of Superman were also excellent. Marlon Brando (Jor-El) and Gene Hackman (Lex Luthor) both gave outstanding performances. This DVD also has additional scenes that were not in the theatrical release. These scenes are not frivolous and really add a new dimension to the film. For example, there is more of Jor-El emphasizing his son's purpose on Earth. Superman: The Movie is a great film because it has one ingredient that future comic book adaptations have lacked, emotion. This is inherent in the relationship between Superman and Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). Superman is undisputably the Citizen Kane of comic book adaptations.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best DVD I've seen.
Review: This "special edition" DVD was worth the wait. In my opinion, the movie is a classic by virtue of its cast, screenplay, score and innovative special effects. The movie is almost perfect in modernizing the Superman story but retaining the central elements of the characters. But the DVD package itself is stellar. First of all, the movie has been fully restored, as opposed to the faded images seen on VHS and even on television. It looks as good as it did the first time I saw it at the movie theater. It also includes several great new scenes, particularly of Superman and Jor-El. I also liked the screen tests. Of all the DVD's I've bought or rented, this one is the best.
Rating: 
Summary: Buy this ONLY for the extras, not the movie
Review: I was so hoping that this was going to magically transport me back to 1978 the same way the recent SE CD soundtrack release did. I guess I should've known better, but somehow I hoped against hope that this long, long, long, LONG anticipated DVD was going to be my beloved KCOP version of Superman finally put to digital. Sadly, we are only thrown two bones (the extra Jor-El scene in the Fortress and the Gauntlet of Doom). While it is absolutely incredible to finally have the Gauntlet of Doom restored and included in all it's greatness, there is SOOOOOO much more that really should've been included. Some of the exclusions I can understand, but how on Earth can they justify not including the scene of Superman swooping out of the sky and into the path of the XK-101 (only to have the rocket GO AROUND HIM)? IT'S ONE OF THE BEST SEQUENCES IN THE WHOLE FILM!! For those unaware, in the early '80's a California TV station (KCOP) showed ONE TIME ONLY the fabled "Ultimate" Superman the movie with all intact usable footage restored and included. The scene I refer to takes place just after Superman explodes out of Luthor's lair and pursues the rocket. In this DVD, the next time we see Superman he flies over the heads of some guys in the desert repairing a fence, chasing the first rocket, but in the UNCUT version he is seen in an amazing effects shot gliding majestically into the path of the rocket where he braces himself for the impact. However, the rocket is specially equipped to detect obstacles and simply goes around him. Superman looks shocked for a moment, then tears off in pursuit. THEN the scene picks up with the fence-repairmen. This is just one small, but IMPORTANT example of the omissions. Also, I had the distinct feeling that the soundtrack was heavily edited. It turns out that I don't think it is, it's just that the KCOP version makes absolutely the fullest use of John Williams' full score. And what's with the altered sound effects? I've no problem with audio-enhancement (ala the recent re-release of the Beatles' Yellow Submarine), but they outright CHANGED many sounds in the film!! Remember the cool "zzzzrrrrrmmmm" sound as young Clark hurles the green crystal off into the distance? It's GONE! Replaced with another sound that I guess they thought was more impressive or something. I dunno, maybe it's me. I'm a purist. I didn't care too much for the Star Wars "Special Edition" changes either. Okay, the POSITIVE now. The DVD IS worth the money, though. Why, you ask, after I just "ripped" it? Simple---EXTRAS! Tons and tons of extras!! You can spend nearly as long watching and reading the amazing and enthralling extras as the film itself. Several very informative documentaries. I was impressed! And even modern-day interviews with the cast, including Chris Reeve. BOTTOM LINE--buy the DVD for the extras (and ONLY for the extras!), but give yourself the real treat by obtaining the KCOP version!
Rating:
Summary: Well Worth The Wait
Review: This has always been one of my favorite movies of all time. Every element of this motion picture is pure class: the cast, director, script, special effects, musical score, etc. It was the first major screen adaption of a comic book superhero, and arguably still the best (although the new "Spiderman", slated for release in 2002, looks to be a major contender). While special effects technology has greatly advanced over the past two decades, no other superhero film has so accurately depicted a character as well as "Superman: The Movie". It is a truly magical Hollywood product that has aged remarkable well over the past 20+ years. However, as with so many other film series, the sequels which followed were progressively less fulfilling, but the original remains a remarkable achievement.Riddle me this - how is it that a lame piece of crap like "Supergirl" get a deluxe two-disc release with THX mastering and a plastic box, while the man of steel only rates a single (albeit double-sided) DVD and a flimsy cardboard case? I would have gladly shelled out $5.00 to $10.00 extra for THX mastering and proper-packaging. Even still, the extras on the "Superman" DVD are exceptional, providing more than a night's worth of entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: Enhanced digital audio makes this one a definite keeper!
Review: The producers of this DVD know how to get the most out of the digital medium. Watching the opening credits fly by with impact effects got my pulse rate up. Outstanding job of transferring this classic movie from film to DVD. Now, I'm looking forward to the day when this is done to the original Star Wars films. Maybe in the next century? :-)
Rating: 
Summary: "S" finally arrives on DVD- Great but beware!!
Review: Here, finally, is Superman on DVD. And I am pleased to say that it looks better here than it has ever looked on home video/laserdisc. They have been able to remove a lot of the grainyness in those tricky scenes on Krypton and the color has a much punchier effect this time around. Now the bad news for the purists out there (myself included). The sound has been given a serious make-over. Now, this is great on the one hand as John Williams' score finally gets the in-your-face, 5.1 treatment. The problem is that Warner Bros. has allowed the foley to be redone in many places. The opening credits finally have the sound "kick" they have always needed but the wooshing sound is a brand new sound -not the original at all- and it is noticable to any fan. Several of Superman taking off shots now include an obvious "new" swoosh sound as well. Bummer. Does Warner Bros. really think that kids today will enjoy this film better if they fool with it to make it sound like Star Wars(which also has been screwed with too much)? This disc has plenty of goodies as well. The screen tests are really interesting b/c we get to see Christopher Reeve BEFORE he got buff in his Superman outfit- he looks rather feminine. He also is sporting HUGE sweat marks under his arms. There are some surprises as we find out who was up for Lois Lane. This is a must buy for fans but it is sad that the trend is to "sweeten" a film that is over 25 years old to make it more accessable. The fact that it was made in 1978 is part of its charm today. Is the 33' Kong due for a make-over? Help!
Rating:
Summary: Superman - SUPER DVD
Review: This DVD is nothing less than Fantastic. The film is only the beginning. The extras are a MUST SEE for any fan of this entertaining story. The screen tests are extremely interesting and the commentary is polite as usual, but amusing. Warner Brothers did a GREAT job in revitalizing new life into an old classic with a commentary track and a music-only track. My only complaint is that they "sweetened" the soundtrack slightly without offering the option of listening to the original soundtrack - a minor complaint. I love it anway!
Rating:
Summary: 23 years later... and even better
Review: Until the recent Star Wars reissue Superman was the movie I had seen more times in the theater than any other film-somewhere between 15-20. When it was first aired on TV (over 2 evenings) it included several scenes that hadn't made it to the theatrical release or any previously released video version. Now, with the release of the Special Edition DVD we have... some of them. But even without the infamous golf course scene this edition rocks! The movie speaks for itself (as do the high ratings we've given it) but the bonus features included are worth the price of the DVD. Seeing Christopher Reeve in the documentary was a treat. I'd been under the impression that he wasn't interested in talking about this film and was delighted to see him (looking pretty darn good too. I can't wait to see him act again). The screne tests are not only a nice piece of film history, but a testament to the positive evolution of the screenplay. These "earlier drafts" of well known scenes actually kinda stink. Fortunately they were improved for the film. What mskes this movie truely epic is the strength of the performers and the crew. Sure, there are moments of pure cheese, but there are also some compelling, dramatic moments as well. Lois's death is a scene permanently ingrained in my mind. What a great piece of my childhood, returning even better than I remember it.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT (Coming From Someone Who Hates Comic Book Movies)
Review: Just finished watching the disc, including ALL of its features. The disc has 2 sides(which, by the way, are very hard to distinguish from one another as the disc has no label-one must be nearsighted to read what the lettering on the disc says) & includes the film (with added & mostly unseen footage), the directors commentary (with director Richard Donner & writer Tom Mankewicz-did I spell that right?), 3 very interesting documentaries about the making of the film, trailers, & the soundtrack. I for one do not read comic books & do not generally enjoy comic book movies but SUPERMAN I & II are among my favorite films becuase, unlike X-MEN or BATMAN, they were poignant & had heart. I recommend buying copies of I & II since they were so excellent but not III or IV which were so very AWFUL (by the way, how unusual is it for I & II, among the best films ever made, to be followed up by III & IV, among the worst films ever made?)!
Rating:
Summary: An American Icon
Review: Superman is an excellent example of a movie which came along at the perfect time. America in December 1978 was a country consumed with self-doubt: Watergate, the lingering memory of the Vietnam War, and Economic Stagnation were all on the national consciousness (just as the Great Depression, and a Europe sliding into war were on the minds of most Americans when the original Superman comic debuted in 1938). The cinema of the 1970s reflected this: All the President's Men and The China Syndrome reinforced the impression that America's best days were behind her. Superman was the antithesis to all of that self-doubt, and was the cornerstone of what Christopher Reeve has called the "New Patriotism." Riding on the heels of the success of Star Wars, Superman was a feel good movie with fine plotting, groundbreaking special effects, and wonderful acting from all involved--especially the young unknown actor who would don the cape and bring new dimension to an old role. The movie has held up very well over the years. True, hairstyles and car models look dated from a 21st Century viewpoint. But a great film rides or falls on the script, and that has not dated at all. The classic themes are all here: greed (Lex Luthor's nuclear land-grab scheme), rebellion against parents (Superman defying Jor-El and interfering with human history), and good old fashioned romance. The acting is also on a much higher level than one would expect in a film of this type, particularly from Christopher Reeve, who clearly delineates the roles of Clark Kent/Superman--for once the difference is more than just a pair of glasses. (Watch the scene where Clark, at Lois Lane's apartment considers telling her of his other identity. When Reeve takes off Clark's glasses and Superman's PRESENCE fills the room, that's the best special effect in the film--and it's all in Reeve's acting.) The visuals have held up well over the years, and look even better now that Superman's costume is consistently BLUE during his flybys. A few of the miniature work near the end looks blatantly fake, just as it did in 1978. But for the most part, the film is as dazzling as ever--especially the Krypton sequences. John William's stirring score remains some of the best work submitted for film by that or any film composer. Richard Donner is known as a director with an eclectic visual style, and that suits the various moods of this film well. From the epic Kryptonian opening, to the rural Smallville setting, through the snappy Metropolis sequence, the director adapts his style to the script's demands--and keeps the audience entertained. Donner was in charge of the transfer of this film to DVD, so this is his vision of Superman, without the interference of the Salkind family, who cut corners and lowered the quality of the remaining three films. Those familiar with the theatrical and various video incarnations will be in for a surprise. Numerous scenes not included in the theatrical release are reinstated here. However, there is not the extreme padding of scenes as was done on the broadcast television versions put together by the Salkinds. All the new footage enhances the movie and emphasizes the plot and the characters. The optical elements have been scrubbed and the film has never looked better. There are only a few moments when the film stock shows its age. The new sound mix will be more controversial. Many of the sound effects have been replaced and/or recreated. This is most noticeable during the opening credits and Krypton sequences. According to Donner, post-production on the original film was very rushed and he was never satisfied with the original mix. But, that's the way the film has been heard for over twenty years, and longtime fans with strong memories of the film may find this mix disconcerted. As for myself, I like the new mix, but wish an alternative soundtrack with the original mix had been included as well. The extras on the 2-sided DVD are a joy to behold. The three part documentary hosted by Marc McLure (Jimmy Olsen) sheds new light on the disorganized and hectic production of the film--with a great deal of unseen footage. The screen tests of Christopher Reeve and the various candidates for Lois Lane (including Stockard Channing, Anne Archer, and of course Margot Kidder) prove that Lynn Stallmaster did an excellent job casting the film. Trailers and other supplemental material are also included. One complaint, Warners should do away with their "snapper" cases and use the "clamshell" style case most other studios offer. Nevertheless, no fan will want to be without this timeless classic, refurbished and preserved for new generations of young people--and the young at heart--to marvel at.
|
