Rating:  -
Before I hit puberty, and realised what REAL men were supposed to look like, I was very into this show, and very into Dean Cain, with his overly gelled hair, and everything. Now I watch it and cringe. But then, before we had a computer, I used to go into my dad's work to use his computer, and print off loads of photos from the show. In fact, the guys my dad work with, STILL remember me as the little girl I was there, using every website to find new pics? Sad? You betcha.
Every since I heard this was coming out on DVD, I've been back to that little girl again, and it's even worse when I watch the episodes. I even remembered the theme tune, even though it has to be one of the most boring TV theme tunes in history. (I'll say Friends or The A-Team is one of the most memorable.) I don't really remember the episodes, I think I may have seen a later series when they were shown on TV. But I very much enjoyed them, although I cringed when I originally saw the guy I used to have a major crush on.
I watched all the first series quite quickly, watching two or more episodes or day, til I'd literally overdosed on it. (I think I'm gonna take a break now.) Of course, the effects are very dodgy, the acting is sometimes wooden, and the lines are really, really corny, and some of the storylines are really OTT, but I watched most of it with a big smile on my face.
Watching the extras (all two featurettes, lasting no longer than 40 minutes put together), was an eye opener, in how the 10 years, have NOT been kind to the actors. Teri Hatcher has come back from her years in the Hollywood wilderness to a tiny show called Desperate Housewives, and become ultra skinny and gaunt, losing the curves that Superman fans loved about her. My childhood crush *cringe* has bloated around the face, and is showing his age around the eyes. John Shea (Lex Luthor WITH hair) hasn't changed that much, just a few more lines. Tracey Scoggins (Cat) is still as beautiful. Lane Smith doesn't feature in the extras, as he died in June 2005 from Lou Gehrig's disease, and neither does Michael Landes, who is probably still smarting from the fact that he was replaced by another guy, because they thought he looked too much like Dean Cain's little brother. Eddie Jones & K Callan are also well into their old age, and both are nearly unrecognisable.
I've read quite a few reviews, where it's said the series does start to go downhill after a wee while, but it will do, the storylines are never up to that much. I've still got the next 2 series on my wishlist, and will buy them right up to the last series. The episodes do get repetitive, and can sometimes be unbelievable, and I doubt this show would last now if it was on TV. The critics would laugh! But it brings back happy memories for me, and a few others out there, who decided to buy it.
What HAS Dean Cain been up in the 10 years? In the pub by the looks of it.
Rating:  -
There have been three live-action Superman television series. Firstly, the classic ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN series, which ran from 1952 to 1958; and lastly, the superhit look at Superman's youth, SMALLVILLE, which began in 2001. In-between those two shows was LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN. LOIS & CLARK does an interesting and clever thing (for which we can thank the creator, Deborah Joy LeVine): it takes what was originally a superhero vs. the bad guys story and turns it into a romantic comedy in the vein of MOONLIGHTING. Some Superman fans liked it, others did not; regardless, the show developed a large fan base from its start in 1993 to its finish in 1997.
Here there is more focus on Clark Kent, the man, than on Superman. Another interesting aspect of the show is that rather than Clark Kent being the mask and Superman being the true person, as portrayed in the SUPERMAN film series, Superman becomes the mask and Clark Kent is the true person. That said, Dean Cain does an excellent job as the guardian of Metropolis, providing a very interesting and likable take on the Superman character. Teri Hatcher is wonderfully crazy as Lois Lane, the dedicated reporter in love with Superman; the problem is that she's not in love with Clark ... or is she? Throughout this first season the relationship between Clark/Superman and Lois is the focus. Coming in as a side player is John Shea, giving a terrific performance as criminal mastermind/billionaire Lex Luthor, who also happens to be in love with Lois ... and despise Superman. The supporting cast consists of Lane Smith, who is just fantastic as Daily Reporter editor Perry White (who in this show harbors a strong love of anything Elvis); Michael Landes as Jimmy Olsen; Eddie Jones and K Callan as Clark's loving (and lovable) parents; and Tracy Scoggins as sexy playgirl Catherine "Cat" Grant. This season's guest appearances include Dean Stockwell (in episode "The Rival"), Larry Linville ("Neverending Battle"), and James Earl Jones ("The House of Luthor").
Along with a fine cast and an interesting concept, LOIS & CLARK also includes some great and often funny writing; a perfectly magical score by Jay Gruska, which includes an absolutely magnificent theme song; and ... well ... some pretty cringe-worthy special effects (they've come along way since 1993). Some of the season's finest episodes are the "Pilot", in which Clark Kent arrives in Metropolis; "Neverending Battle" (which features some very funny references to the 50's TV series); "The Green, Green Glow of Home", in which Clark discovers Kryptonite; "The Man of Steel Bars", where Superman promises not to use his powers after Metropolis' citizens suspect him of causing an immense heat wave; and the two-part season finale, "Barbarians at the Planet" and "The House of Luthor". "Foundling" also features an interesting guest appearance from David Warner as Clark's biological father, Jor-El.
To some fans of the original superhero, LOIS & CLARK is not anything to rave about; but in my opinion, LOIS & CLARK is a grand little series sure to please those who give it a chance. There's a charming simplicity to it, yet it's far from brainless. LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN is high-flying fun.
TOP 5 EPISODES OF THE SEASON
1. Pilot
2. The House of Luthor
3. Barbarians at the Planet
4. The Green, Green Glow of Home
5. The Man of Steel Bars
Rating:  -
Dean Cain, Teri Hatcher, Lane Smith & John Shea. In this 90's series the focus is not on Superman but on the relationship between Lois Lane (Hatcher) and Clark Kent (Cain). While Cain's muscular frame may not need a padded super suit like the one worn by George Reeves his Superman still lacks the presence the hero should have (particularly if you compare him to Christopher Reeve) but his Clark Kent is such an enduring figure you don't care. He doesn't play Kent as a geek but as simply a soft spoken planner very much in contrast to Hatcher's risk taking Lois. Hatcher's Lois is such an exciting personality it is no wonder the Man of Steel's heart melted for her. But what is most appealing here is the on screen chemistry between Cain and Hatcher. This is what carries the show even in some of its weaker episodes. This first season as in so many cases is its best with John Shea's new exciting version of Lex Luther as a major player. After Shea left the series as a regular at the end of the first season no other villain matched up to him. And his return appearances over the next three years were always most welcome. Most of the other supporting characters were also well played. Lane Smith ranks as my favorite live action Perry White. Eddie Jones and K Callen were also wonderful as Pa and Ma Kent. Ms. Kallen's Ma Kent was also a new twist on the role. Only Michael Landes as Jimmy Olsen failed to impressed. To many he appeared to look too much like Cain to have much of an impact in the role. Sexy Tracy Scoggins was underused as Cat Grant - a total rewrite of a character who was a recent addition to the comic books. Highlights of the first season include the "Pilot" which tells how Clark Kent got his job at the Daily Planet and how he and Lois first met. "The Green, Green Glow of Home" which tells of Superman's first encounter with Kryptonite. "All Shook Up" involves the possible destruction of the city of Metropolis from an on rushing meteor. This episode is an uncredited remake of the "Panic in the Sky" an episode of the 50's George Reeves series. In the final episode of the season Phyliss Coates (television's first Lois Lane)appears (following a tradition started by Noel Neill) as Lois Lane's mother.
Sadly this collection is packaged in the most annoying way possible. Each disc is double sided, a format that just invites future skips and jumps, and two are stacked together in the same nich in the package.
Rating: -
This is the best box set, was exellent and amazon are just amazing service.
Rating: -
I'm a big fan of that series and I'm very very happy to get it in DVD which give an excellent sound and video quality. I can't wait to buy Season 3 and 4 !!!
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