Superman Returns)

In association with Amazon.com

Rating:

- Super Value For Superman Fans!
Prior to this release, the only Superman films from this collection that I owned were the 2001 editions of Superman The Movie and Superman II which I purchased from Best Buy for a nice "bundle price." The bundle deal didn't include Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace so I told myself I'd get them later--when they were much cheaper than sellers were asking for at the time. As great as it was having the extra footage seamlessly integrated back into Superman The Movie, I wasn't happy at all with the all-new 5.1 audio mix (preferring the original theatrical mix instead), while also disappointed that Superman II didn't get any of the special features treatment that Superman The Movie did. So when Warner first announced all of their new Superman-related releases for 2006 including Superman Returns, I settled on this Superman Ultimate Collection from Amazon (after comparing prices and side-by-side features with The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection, of course). Unfortunately, Warner Home Video dropped the ball with this set's initial release by omitting the original Superman The Movie 1978 theatrical 2.0 Surround Sound mix from Disc 1 and the Superman III special features from Disc 8. However, to their credit, WHV did recover the fumble quite nicely by issuing corrected discs through a prompt and efficient disc replacement program. Within a matter of weeks, I was smiling like a kid as my ears took in the original Superman The Movie theatrical 2.0 mix I was well-accustomed to, plus the Superman III special features which includes commentary and deleted scenes. Packaged in a blue book-style panel pack (think the earlier Smallville sets) with a lenticular slipcover all inside a keepsake tin, the Superman Ultimate Collection is a MASSIVE 14-disc set featuring all the theatrical, alternate, and expanded cuts of 7 movies total including Superman II - The Richard Donner Cut; with IMMACULATE PICTURE and SOUND; plus a wealth of must-see, must-own Superman BONUS FEATURES including Look, Up in the Sky! - The Amazing Story of Superman. Definitely worth the "hassle" and highly recommended!

Rating:

- Perfect for any fan of the franchise
This is a wonderful set for any SuperFan to own. Yes, it does include the highly shaky "Superman III" and the universally panned "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace," but their presence in this collection is not that terrible. At the very least, you can look over the special features that are provided with the movies to see just what they were going for. That lets you understand better how they went wrong.

It's telling, however, that the first movie gets 4 discs (which includes both the theatrical and extended cuts of the movie), the second movie gets 2 discs, the Richard Donner cut of Superman II gets 2 discs, there are 2 discs for Superman returns, 2 discs devoted to the history of Superman from inception to now, and 1 disc each for both Superman III and Superman IV.

In the end, this is a 14 disc set that holds 5 movies. 7 movies if you include "Superman the Extended Cut" and "Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut" as separate movies. That means that you get over 7 discs devoted to behind-the-scenes action and the history of Superman himself. Even if you never plan on watching Superman III or Superman IV, because you think they tarnish the "S", get this set for the 3-5 good movies (depending on how you count them) and the special features.

You will not be disappointed.

Rating:

- SUPER video set
While I have not had a chance to watch all the videos to this point, I will say that this appears to be a wonderful set. It has everything. Right now I am enjoying all the behind the scenes material. Bryan Singer, especially has wonderful behind the scenes stuff. It makes me want to watch the movie again just to look for the stuff I found out behind the scenes. The packaging is cool and the setup of the disks is nice. To this point the quality is wonderful. It is truly the ultimate collectors set.Superman - The MovieThe Christopher Reeve Superman Collection (Superman - The Movie/ Superman II/ Superman III/ Superman IV - The Quest for Peace)Superman Returns (Widescreen Edition)

Rating:

- AN EXHAUSTIVE SUPER SET OF THE MAN OF STEEL!
The name Reeves will forever be associated with the character of Superman. Strange enough there are two men with the last name Reeves that will forever be associated with the character of Superman. George Reeves made Superman a house hold name during the classic TV series 'The Adventures of Superman' and Christopher Reeves for bringing the "Man Of Steel" to the big screen.

The expanded version of the first film is interesting for it has a many added scenes, one with Superman and his father in the 'Fortress Of Solitude' which IMHO could have replaced a few minutes of Superman and Lois flying around. The other significant scene involves Superman entering Lex's hideout and Lex testing Superman's vulnerability, which I agree is not necessary. Lex has set the trap......just let him walk into it. This box set devotes 4 disc to the first movie with some excellent material old and new. I also liked that they included some vintage Superman as well(vintage cartoons & Superman & the Mole Men).

Superman II has 3 discs devoted to the film. One disc for the theatrical release with some extra material, another disc for the very interesting "Donner" cut of the film and a third disc for some excellent features. I would have to say I prefer the theatrical release of the film only because it is a truely finished product. I do believe if Donner had completed the film his would be better!.....it's really worth checking out.

I will be reviewing each film on their individual releases as I watch them from this set. I have scanned through each of the 14 discs in this set and it's an amazing collection with crisp DVD transfers and a plethora of extra material. If you are a fan of this classic super hero then this is a must buy set!

1) Superman 4 1/2 stars
2) Superman II 4 1/4 stars
3) Superman III 2 3/4 stars
4) Superman IV 1 3/4 stars
5) Superman Returns 2 1/2 Stars

Rating:

- "Super" movies with "Super" special features
First off, Christopher Reeve was one of my favorite actors ever and I wish he could have done about 4 more superman movies but I am glad he did 2 guest star appearances on Smallville before he passed away. Anyway-back to the collection at hand. This collection gives you a sprinkling of just about everything a superman fan could want. All 4 original superman movies with Reeve and the Superman Returns movie with the new guy(sadly not Tom Welling) can be found here. It also includes the Richard Donner Director's cut of Superman 2 which is where this series went wrong in the first place. Because of problems between the director and producers, Richard Donner was replaced with another director halfway through superman 2 and thus the original theatrical version of that movie sufered greatly. Watch Donner's cut and you will quickly see that if he had been allowed to continue directing this series of movies the last 2 movies would have looked more like Lethal Weapon 3 and 4(also by Donner) rather than the travesties they are. Don't get me wrong, superman 3 and 4 have their moments, but they are few and far between. In any case, there are loads of special features including all of the Max Fleisher superman cartoons, the George Reeves superman movie, deleted scenes, screen tests, and more.

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