Superman - The Movie
|
List Price: Our Price: $2.42 You Save: $17.56 (88%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of Superman - The Movie
Movie Review: Believing A Man Can Fly...
Summary: 5 Stars
"There's a strong streak of good in you Superman. But, nobody's perfect. Well..., almost nobody." - Lex Luthor polishes his ego while taunting The Man of Steel in "Superman: The Movie"
One of the best sci-fi films from the 70's, is also one of the better comic book films (only surpassed by the "X-Men" & "Spider-Man" films). Richard Donner directs a faithful big screen adaption to the popular DC Comic of the same name.
Kryptonian peacekeeper, Jor-El has figured out that his home planet of Krypton is on a deadly collision course with its own sun. Although there is no time for a full evacuation, Big J builds a small, yet powerful, rocket placing his only son, baby boy Kal-El, safely into the rocket, launching it & sending it toward a distant planet called Earth.
The rocket arrives, crashing into the state of Kansas, & is found by Jonathan & Martha Kent. They soon find out that Kal has extrodinary powers and decide to adopt the boy (there excuse is Kal-El is a nephew of Martha's whose parents have died) and raise him as their own. Kal gets a name change to Clark Kent & has to downplay his powers as not to draw attention. In his late teens, Clark goes on a self-discovery journey finding out who he really is and why he was brought to Earth. Enter Superman, Clark's true identity, who stands for truth, justice & the American way. His first duty is to stop, what would become his main arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor from a deadly real-estate scam.
Richard Donner does a great job at directing (he would later go on to direct all 4 "Lethal Weapon" films, as well as, "The Lost Boys"). He was offered the job after the success he had with "The Omen".
The cast is truly top notch. Margot Kidder, & Christopher Reeve would go into typecasting hell because of these roles, but, I can't imagine really anyone else potraying these characters (Nicholas Cage? Ashton Kutcher? No f**king way! these guys were supposedly attached to play the new "Superman" that is still, as of this review, trying to get flight clearance). Gene Hackman has some of the best lines in the film thanks to Tom Mankewiez's snappy screenplay.
The effects aren't as great as they once were (the scene where Superman stops the dam flood with the rock avalanche looks fake & some of the rear-projection flying was getting a bit old near the end). But, the image of Supe's drilling into the concrete and walking through Luthor's underground traps to get to his lair is the classic sequence from the film, as well as, Superman's flyby in space that ends the movie (that small scene is used in the other 3 "Superman" films as well).
The DVD has a lot of great features, including screen tests, featurette's on the history of the film, and, what I like most of all, an isolated score track to listen to John Williams classic, legendary score, while watching the film. The film is remastered in 5.1 Dolby Digital with optional audio commentary with director and screenwriter to the film. It sounds awesome!
I do give 2 strikes to the DVD presentation. One, the film is a two sided disk, with the feature film on side 1, with the special features on side 2. Warner should have went dual-layered with this (I hate flipper disks!). Two, the packaging is in the form of those cheap, cheesy, pain in the as* cardboard snap cases, that has become Warner Home Video's trademark claiming that its made from recycled paper and plastic (I don't care!! I want a regular DVD case, so that it fits in with the rest of my collection!!).
Eitherway, "Superman:The Movie" is an indestructible film that's worth owning.
Movie Review: Superman Movie Stands Test of Time
Summary: 5 Stars
Considering the proliferation of films based on comic book heroes (and anti-heroes) in recent years, it's hard to recall that this 1978 adaptation of the Superman comic strip and icon of Americana was a monumental gamble for the producers, the director, and its distributor, Warner Bros. The last major DC comic book character to hit the silver screen had been Batman, in 1966, but that movie -- although fun to watch -- had the same campy approach to the Caped Crusader that the then-current TV series on ABC had. Warner Bros., which owned DC Comics and the rights to Superman, feared that a campy Superman film would flop. So for years, the idea lingered in limbo. Indeed, had it not been for the vision of Alexander and Ilya Salkind, Warner Bros. might never had made Superman: The Movie at all.But the story of how Superman made it to the big screen is not for this reviewer to tell...although it is available in this wonderful DVDs extra features as part of the behind-the-scenes documentaries on the flip side of the single disc.
What I can say about this Superman DVD is that of the four movies in the series, this first one is the best. Yes, the special effects are a bit dated by our CGI-dominated 2003 standards, but for the late 1970s these mostly hand-crafted visuals were eye-popping and wow-inducing. But effects alone do not make a good movie; Mario Puzo, David and Leslie Newman's smart, fast-paced script, Richard Donner's steady direction, Geoffrey Unsworth's fine cinematography, and John Williams' wonderful score combine with great visuals and interesting performances by such cast members as Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, and Christopher Reeve. (I can't say enough about Reeve's acting: in essence, he plays Clark Kent very differently from Kal-El/Superman.)
This DVD (which was released almost 2 years ago) presents Superman: The Movie in its full widescreen glory and with a crisp and clear transfer from film to digital. The movie itself is about eight minutes longer than the theatrical or VHS versions; the studio allowed Donner to restore material cut from the 1978 release version (but later seen on its ABC TV presentation). I personally don't know if that was really necessary, but I don't object violently to it, either. The sound quality is good, although since I don't have a home theater type sound system I can't claim to be an expert on the quality of Dolby Surround or stuff like that. It sounds good on my TV, that's all I can say for that aspect of the DVD.
The extra features are also good. While the audio commentary is not as focused on technology used in the shooting of the movie, Richard Donner and creative consultant Tom Mankeweicz do provide some fascinating insights into the movie and its cast. Furthermore, they have good speaking voices and never bore you to death. Another nifty feature (for John Williams fans) is a music-only track that allows you to watch this movie as a two-hour-plus music video. The other extra features -- documentaries, screen tests, trailers, and additional music cues -- are on the B side of the disc.
My only complaint is Warner Home Video's mostly-cardboard DVD cases and the double-sided DVD....one has to handle both with extra gentle care to avoid damaging either the package or the DVD.
One additional note: The only other Superman movie (until the 21st Century feature is made and released) worth buying is Superman II. It is one of the few sequels of a good movie worth seeing, and this is in part because it was being made simultaneously with Superman I. (The original script by Puzo was so large it could be -- and was -- split into two movies.) The other two movies in the franchise fell into the bad-sequel-to-a-great-movie pit so common in Hollywood.
Movie Review: Simply the best movie of its type EVER made!
Summary: 5 Stars
More than a quarter of a century since it first played, absolutely NO movie in this genre compares to Superman!This DVD version is just icing on the cake.
For exquisitely lush cinematography, to an incomparable score, to special effects that sturdily hold up 26 years later, one of the original slogans of this movie holds true to this day: "You will believe a man can FLY!"
You don't have to be a Superman junkie to adore this movie (although I guarantee you'll become one if you watch the restored DVD version.) Richard Donner's loving and respectful take on Superman is absolutely incomparable from the first scenes - showing a child turning the pages of an Action comic (the first venue of Superman), filmed in black and white.
Superman's humble beginnings on the pages of a Depression-era comic book, to this amazing movie, is just perfection the way Donner films it.
The early days as Superman grows up are a golden tribute to the American heartland (make no mistake about it; Donner's vision of Superman isn't just about a comicbook hero, but where and how that hero fits into the American vision of this country.)
I fell in love with Glenn Ford all over again as Pa Kent (and yes, the great, handsome actor is still alive and kicking!) Marlon Brando as Jor-El, Superman's Kryptonian birth father, is worth every penny of the more than $3 million he was paid for two weeks' work (you gotta love the SERIOUSNESS with which Brando portrays Jor-El; it just enhances the Superman mythology.)
The original Daily News building in Manhattan plays home to the Daily Planet. Lots of shots of 1978 New York in this flick, including the World Trade Center merrily blinking in the background as Superman takes Lois Lane for a nighttime spin through the Manhattan skyline.
Margot Kidder is phenomenal as Lois, transformed here as a go-getter reporter who can't spell for beans but who loves a good tabloid story full of murder and mayhem. Jackie Cooper does a great turn as Perry White, urging his reporters to nab an inteview with the Man of Steel as the greatest thing "since God talked to Moses."
Next to Glenn Ford, I have to say that Gene Hackman's portrayal of Lex Luther - the self-described "greatest criminal mind of our time!" - is just amazingly funny. Ned Beatty as the doofy Otis, following around "Mister Lootor," is a superb second banana. Valerie Perrine does one of her best jobs as Hackman's moll, Miss Tessmocker.
Then we come to Chris Reeve. All I can say is that most actors would give their eyeteeth and right arm to be able to have a role like this in their resume. Reeve is simply superb - he was BORN to be Superman. He approaches the role with seriousness and a bit of wry humor. It's safe to say that this is HIS role; no other actor will ever come close to approaching the job he does.
I can't watch this movie without being a kid again, seeing it in a theatre with my parents, screaming and applauding and cheering, and being absolutely blown away by the entire way it was done.
Add this DVD to your collection. If you're like me, you will want to introduce your own kids to the movie that truly made you believe "a man can fly."
Twenty-six years later, he still does, and not one iota of the film's original magnificence has dimmed.
Thank you, everyone involved in the 1978 version of Superman! It's as amazing now as it was when it was releassed!
Movie Review: The best comic to film transfer ever made.
Summary: 5 Stars
Richard Donner's huge and exciting epic on the man of steel was no doubt an ambitious project for them 23 years ago.The salkind team gave it life and made one of the best comic to film transfers ever , the very reason why Superman works lies in it's magic and the very charm of it's cast and crew who all struggled to make an authentic film that would appeal to comic fans as well as mainstream movie goers but no one could have ever anticipated what Superman would do , but it sky rocketed at the box office , having the second longest box office run in history.Even the director says that no one could have played the role of the man of steel like Christopher Reeve for the hour and a half that he was in it he was Superman and the uniform never looked better on him better than any comic book could show him.It's cast includes the great Marlon Brando,Christopher Reeve,Margot Kidder,Gene Hackman,Jackie Cooper.The film starts on the i'll fated Krypton where after a trail with 3 mysterious foes.Kalel played brillantly by Brando has a warning sign that Krypton is in danger,but the counsil refuses to beleive him fearing the worst he and his wife prepare to send his only child a son named Jorel to Earth as he sends the starship on his way the planet is self distructing twords the sun until final distructon.
When the starship lands in Smallville,Kansas he is now introduced to an elderly couple who will be his future family.The film skips to Clark Kent's teenage years who is played charmingly by Jeff East but must be embarresingly dubbed by Reeve is the most centimental part of the film as he tries to cope with having super powers but when he looses his father he dicovers a crystal and then discovers where his future lies to the North Pole where he magically makes a fortress of solitude , there he will begin to learn about his past his father and why he is on earth after all is said and done his father is now ready to give the world his son and we shall know him as SUPERMAN.
In the film we switch scenes yet again to the Daily Planet in New York where he plays out his secret identity and meets the specal woman that will capture SUPERMANS heart Lois Lane played humeriously by Margot Kidder when an accident happens atop a building when she is sent in for an assignment , the world will get there first encounter with the man of steel an sets Lois heart afire,the most romantic scene is a flying scene a memerable one with Superman and Lois, but just as things are going well for Superman he meets his nemisis Lex Luthor who is played even more humeriously by Gene Hackman who devises a plan for world domination and gives Superman a taste of his own planet Kryptonite.Superman delays Luthors plans only to find the Lois is a casulty Supeman brakes the rules to save her and sets the tone for the exciting Superman 2.
Packed with options such as a theatrical trailer and deleted scenes one of them being Lex Luthor testing Superman in his gauntlet it is humerious.3 documentarys and for the first time ever Superman in Dolby Digital now you can hear Jhon Willam's amazing and awsome score in digital sound a treat even for people that have already seen this movie grab Superman on DVD it is the only way to see this huge and epic classic it spawned 3 sequals the last two are forgettable while Superman 2 is good companion peice to the first film.
Movie Review: One of the best comic book movies period
Summary: 5 Stars
What usually happens for me is that if I've been exposed for one particular stage of pop culture for a long period of time, everything else seems kind of "off". Take for instance old country music: my grandparents/parents love it but I can't stand it. So when you take Superman, in which I've watched the animated series and 5 1/2 seasons worth of Smallville, anything else might not have that same luster. Like when I see this Lex Luthor, I always instead imagine Michael Rosenbaum, or Dana Delany doing the voice for Lois Lane. However, it's still a great film that was before my time but came out at the perfect time.
In case you've been living on Mars in a deep hole with metal music in your headphones, the story of Superman is the last son of the planet Krypton who arrives on the planet Earth. Capable of incredible powers, he decides to fight for good and stand against those wanting to cause harm or rule the planet, either/or. And so it is with Superman the movie, the same basic story but just up on the big screen.
This is a 1970's film so some images look very outdated. Certain flying shots in particular have an obvious pasted look to them but that's ok, since 1) this is the 70's and 2) you just don't care. One fault I did find though: whether it was my DVD player, the film itself but one of the chapters got a little ugly(for me it was the pilots on Air Force One talking about Superman), it got a little pixel-y. However, considering it is an older film, it's quite something to see the film restored.
My favorite Lex is probably Clancy Brown from the Animated Series or Michael Rosenbaum from Smallville. Here, Gene Hackman does an admirable job but there wasn't much of a threat there, he just seemed there to give something important to Superman to do. Dana Delany and Erica Durance are probably the hottest Lois Lane's but Margot Kidder is good in the role. Believable without being damsel in distress throughout the whole thing. It's up for debate whether Marlon Brandon earned his 3 million paycheck(some say 10) since he's only in here for under 10 minutes but oh well he looks good as Jor-El. It's funny seeing him mispronounce names though(it's Kryp-TON not Kryptin).
And of course we come down to the Man: Christopher Reeve. Largely unknown at the time(much like upcoming Brandon Routh in Superman Returns), he embodies the character, bumbling and nervous as Clark Kent and confident and likable as our main hero. He even makes a scene work when late in the film Superman does a silly time rewind but the anger he displays makes up for it. Even in the lackluster sequels he still brings his A game which is quite something.
Da da da DA da, da da da DA da....it's hard not to finish watching Superman and not hum the main theme. It gives the opening credits a nice big epic atmosphere even though the dumb names keep going! It felt like one of the longest opening credits I've ever seen, or at least that's how it felt but the opening theme as well as the rest of the film is especially great from John Williams in a rare non-Spielberg film score.
Personally I hate Warner snap cases and this film really should've been on a big 2 disc release instead of a flipper but oh well we get a great film and that's what matters in the end. Now let's see how the new one does.