|
|
Superman Store
Super
Hero Collectibles |
|
|
Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition (Superman - The Movie/ Superman II/ Superman II - The Richard Donner Cut/ Superman III/ Superman IV - The Quest for Peace/ Superman Returns)
In association with Amazon.com
|
Rating:  -
If you are a true fan of Superman, buy this set. I cannot imagine that you will be dissapointed. With 14 discs it is beyond exhaustive and leaves no stone unturned in relation to the Superman films, legacy and mythology. Really, the Superman film series has given audiences all that is right and wrong with making a film based on a beloved comic book hero. We begin with the brilliance of Richard Donner's initial vision and move to the director controversies of the second, arguably equally triumphant, film. We actually get two versions of the first two films, including the Richard Donner cut of Superman II that is quite different from the version filmed by Richard Lester after Donner was removed from the project. From there the next two Superman films are, at best, uneven and chaotic and a sad way to end Christopher Reeve's iconic portrayal of the Man of Steel. Superman Returns and Bryan Singer's take on the character is interesting, and while an improvement on the horrid Superman IV that killed the movie franchise of the most popular character in the world for 19 years, it still lacks something in my opinion. There are more featurettes and making of documentaries that will please the casual fan to the most avid Superman afficianado. There are some excellent full-length documentaries on the creation and evolution of Superman and the making of the Superman films, including all the controversy. There is a nearly three-hour documentary on the making of Singer's Superman, and there is a touching portrait of actor Christopher Reeve. There are some vintage TV specials thrown in on the making of the first three films, and there are lots of deleted scenes, which is interesting to watch especially on the bad films. You can also listen to a lot of commentary on the films from writers, producers and directors. My favorite was from Michael Rosenthal, a screenwriter for Superman IV, who fesses up with refreshing candor about what a mess the film turned out to be (contrast this with the producer Ilya Salkind's commentary on Superman III where he spends a great deal of time trying to convince us that the critically panned, modestly profitable film was really a smashing success). There is much more to the set including all the brilliant vintage Superman cartoons from the 1940s, some WB Superman spoof cartoons with Bugs and Daffy, a live action Superman movie serial that preceded the popular 1950s TV show and a rare, and truly awful television pilot of a Superman spoof that featured little people dressed up in dog costumes (I'm not kidding). Somewhere on one of the DVDs somebody says that without the original Superman movie, the fantastic success of all the other comic book movies that has come since, including Batman and the X-Men, wouldn't have been possible. Really, it's impossible to say, but this wonderful DVD set pulls out all the bells and whistles so that, paraphrasing the marketing pitch from the 1978 film, "You will believe a man can fly."
Rating: -
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: -
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: -
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: -
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
|
|
|
|
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
|
|
Superman Actors and
Actresses Posters and Photos
check out these sections for lots
of great images that you can have for your own wall. Find out how
each actor or actress relates to Superman.
Actors
Actresses
Movies
Television
Shows
Classic
Superman Posters Superman
the Movie
Superman
II Posters Superman
III Posters Comic
Book Posters
Your Favorite
Super Hero Posters
Batman Captain
America Fantastic
Four
Green
Hornet Incredible
Hulk
Spiderman
Steel
Supergirl
Swamp
Thing Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles
Wolverine
Wonder
Woman X-men
|
|
|
