Superman - The Movie
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Movie Reviews of Superman - The Movie
Movie Review: All Restored With Extra Unseen Footage.
Summary: 5 Stars
All of America accepts Christopher Reeve as "Superman". Adults love this film and so do the kids. I personally enjoyed the scenes on the farm. The cinematography that is, the sunrise, the fields of wheat and tall grass. Superman flying in the air is still convincing. There is so much to see in this film and so much action, well in fact, it is an epic. The sets and special effects are breath-taking. Marlon Brando truly gives this film a good start. His acting is brilliant, mesmerizing and touching.
In this DVD version, there is so much extra footage (never before seen, not in theatres, however last seen on the ABC Network in the 1980's) many new scenes include Marlon Brando. One with Christopher Reeve and projected Marlon Brando in the ice fortress. Also included are deleted scenes, three behind-the-scenes documentaries, screen tests of some well-known actresses who tried for the part of "Lois Lane". Perhaps you can see why they didn't get the part or ran a close second. Christopher Reeve is in these screen tests as well. There are many other special features to see too.
Cameo appearances by Noel Neill (who was "Lois Lane" in The Adventures of Superman tv series (1953-58) and Kirk Alyn (who played Clark Kent/Superman in 1948-50) appear as Lois Lane's parents aboard the train in Smallville and sit across from each other.
Film critic Rex Reed, Larry Hagman and John Ratzenberger also make an appearance.
In-film advertising: DC Comics, Kodak, Marlboro.
Superman: The Movie has all been restored for this VHS and DVD version. There are three more Superman movies to see with Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder.
Sequels: Superman II (1980)
Superman III (1983)
Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (1987).
Christopher Reeve became paralyzed from the neck down from a horse-riding accident in 1995. He appeared in the WB tv series "Smallville" in episode "Rosetta" in February 2003 and episode "Legacy" in April 2004.
Margot Kidder appeared in "Smallville" in episode "Crusade" in September 2004 (Reeve could not make the trip so they asked Kidder) and in episode "Transference" in October 2004.
Christopher Reeve passed away October 10, 2004. He had an infected bedsore, went into a coma and died of heart failure.
SUPERMAN RETURNS, with Brandon Routh in the title role, was released June 30, 2006.
UPDATE: December 2, 2010: Zack Snyder is directed SUPERMAN: Man of Steel. Writer is David S. Goyer. They hope to release SUPERMAN during the holiday season of 2012.
Movie Review: Top-notch DVD, slightly coy commentary
Summary: 5 Stars
Without knowing some of the behind-the-scenes wrangles during production of 1978's Superman: The Movie, listening to the DVD commentary by director Richard Donner and "Creative Consultant" Tom Mankiewicz can be like watching Austin Powers without ever seeing a James Bond film--it's enjoyable, but you may miss some of the jokes. Whether there were legal restrictions or just a desire "to work in this town again," Donner and Mankiewicz are often a bit coy when discussing the production.For starters, there's Mankiewicz' title--he was denied a writing credit on the film, though Donner and others have praised him for reshaping the Puzo-Newman-Benton script into a workable movie. So his alternative designation appears right after the writers during the opening titles. Donner's grievances got a bit more press at the time. Producers Ilya and Alexander Salkind, taking a page from their Three Musketeers films, wanted to shoot Superman I and II simulataneously. Donner shot extensive footage for the sequel, but later had a falling-out with the Salkinds, who brought in Musketeers director Richard Lester to finish the sequel and re-shoot much of Donner's material. Knowing this helps understand why Donner and Mankiewicz take the occasional swipe at movie producers, and the Salkinds in particular. (My favorite: Donner praises editor Stuart Baird, then mentions how he's also directed two great films "in spite of his producers.") It also clarifies some of their comments regarding plot points in both films.Originally, one of the two missiles Luthor fires in I accidentally frees the Phantom Zone villains to set up II. And the famous turning-back-the-world scene was initially planned for the sequel, to erase Lois' memory of Superman's secret identity. The commentary is just part of this well-crafted DVD, which includes an extended "director's cut" of the movie itself, two additional deleted scenes with Luthor (too campy by far, they were rightfully kept out of the extended film), and screen tests for Christoper Reeve and a slew of would-be Lois Lanes (after Margot Kidder, Lesley Ann Warren would've been my pick). Nearly a quarter-century later, Superman is still one of the best superhero films ever. I have never understood why so many people prefer Superman II, with its cartoonish comic antics and its make-'em-up-as-we-go superpowers (how about that amnesia kiss?). For my money, Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz made the definitive Superman movie--in spite of the producers.
Movie Review: THE FIRST GREAT SUPERHERO FILM
Summary: 5 Stars
Released in 1978, Superman would be the first big buget Hollywood treatment of Superheroes and thus is historically a very important film as it showed studios just how big movies like this could be. Directed by Richard Donner the movie covers the origins of Superman from the destruction of his planet of krypton to being sent away prior to its destruction to Earth where he would be found by Mr. and Mrs Kent and raised as their own son, Clark.
We see Clark as a young man coming to grips with his power, even showing off by racing a train. With the death of his father (Glen Ford) we cut to an adult Clark going to Metropolis and getting a job with the Daily Planet and meeting Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) Perry White (Jackie Cooper) and eventually his arch-nemesis, lex Luthor (Gene Hackman).
Long before the days of computer generated special effects, the geniuses behind Superman really did make us believe a man could fly. His first appearance as Superman where he catches Lois Lane as she plummets to certain doom, and then catches the crashed helicopter still give me chills when I watch it.
Of course the thing that most of us will remember about Superman is its star, the late Christopher Reeve. The man truly embodied what Superman was. His fantastic portrayal of the geeky, fumbling Clark contrasted perfectly with his powerful and definitive portrayal as the Man of Steel.
Gene Hackman was comically evil as Lex Luthor and was joined by co-horts Ned beatty and Valerie perrine as the film's eye candy.
Mario Puzo, known for his best work in the original story of The Godfather, put together a wonderful researched story staying true to the classic comic. This special edition contains several added scenes not in the original theatrical release featuring several more scenes on Krypton invloving Brando. The main things about this great DVD are the 3 documentaries hosted by Marc McLure who played Jimmy Olsen in the movies. They give a fascinating look behind the making of these movies and the problems of casting and pulling off the special effects that they faced. Also great is the screen tests which feature some of the other actresses who were considered for the part of Lois Lane and a great commentary track by Richard Donner.
Really a wonderful and valuable DVD. It's one I will always keep! Hopefully we will see a special Edition of Superman 2. One of the few sequels that were actually better than the original.
Movie Review: One of the best movies ever!
Summary: 5 Stars
It's about blankety blank time! Superman on DVD! That simple statement should be enough to make you pull out the old wallet and get your copy NOW! What can be said about this film that hasn't already? Richard Donner was the only choice to direct, the casting was just about perfect, Christopher Reeve is Superman, no matter whose played him before and no matter who will ever play him again. John Williams score takes this movie to another level entirely. The Superman Theme going through the surround sound during the opening credits brought goosebumps. The story is great, going from birth on Krypton, growing up in Smallville, and fulfilling his destiny in Metropolis, it's almost like you get three movies for the price of one. And it works. There are moments that sends chills down the spine, such as Superman's first public appearance (saving Lois and the helicopter). Some would say that Luthor is played too much for laughs, but I think it works well. I love Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor, he has some of the best quotes in the movie. "Doesn't it just give you a... shudder of electricity to be in the same room with me?" His ego is so huge, it's wonderful!
Anyways, everything's been said about this movie and I agree with all the positive things. :) So, on to the DVD! The sound is FANTASTIC! If you have a surround sound system, you are in for a treat! The image is the best I've seen this movie in. And the extras are... Wow! The kind of extras you expect to see on a God honest movie classic making it's first show on the superior format that is DVD. Screen tests, note the huge pools of sweat collecting on the underarms of Chris Reeve's supersuit. Watch many an actress try their hand at Lois Lane! Interesting stuff, all of it. Two or three deleted scenes, nice additions. A good commentary track with Richard Donner and I forget the other guy's name, but he pretty much wrote the movie, though he is credited as the creative consultant or something of that nature, where they discuss many things about pre-production, production, casting decisions, effects shots and so forth. And three 20-30 minute documentaries that are very informative. These are the kinds of docus I like to see. They include new interviews with Donner, Margot Kidder and a real life superman, Christopher Reeve, looking good considering all the difficulties he's gone through. Real in depth stuff.
All in all an American Classic that gets the DVD treatment it rightfully deserves.
Movie Review: The Superman For My Generation
Summary: 5 Stars
I was born in 1976, so I spent most of my developmental years in the wonderful 80's. Although I was still a bit young when "Superman-The Movie" hit the big screen, I caught up with him through VHS and television. Plenty have donned the red cape, from George Reeves to Dean Cain and everyone in between. Brandon Routh, who I have yet to see in the latest film, is the current hero of the day. Christopher Reeve was, is, and always will be Superman to me. I don't care how hokey the special effects look in this particular flick or how bad the third and fourth films were, Reeve is the Man of Steel in my opinion.
This film gives us the origination story of Kal-El, son of Jor-El, of the planet known as Krypton. If you've been around for a few years, you probably know the rest of the story, so I'll skip that and just stick with the performances of the actors and actresses. I've gloated on Reeve enough, but I have to admit that his bungling, country-tinged Clark Kent is perfect. He does a complete 180 degree turn when he rips open his business suit and that "S" bursts onto the scene. Lois Lane is done with sassy flair by the great Margot Kidder. She, much like Reeve, has become her character in my mind. Gene Hackman hams it up as Superman's arch enemy, Lex Luthor. His over-the-top performance is fun to watch on the screen. Ned Beatty portrays the bumbling sidekick, Otis, and Valerie Perrine is a scene stealer as the luscious Eve. Marlon Brando is sufficient as Kent's father, but his performance comes across as rather wooden. Terence Stamp (General Zod), Jack O'Halloran (Non), and Maria Schell (Vond-Ah) have sinister small roles in this feature, but set the stage well for "Superman II." The rest of the cast, primarily reduced to supporting roles, do a wonderful job with what they have to work with.
As stated before, the special effects are pretty hokey by today's standards, but they were top-notch in 1978. They help move the story along at a decent pace without hindering the performers on the screen.
This film set a high standard for future comic book-based films. While many have met, and in some cases surpassed, this standard, "Superman" will always be considered the first of the great modern comic flicks.
Highly recommended to any fan of comic flicks, or anyone who just wants to relive the excitement of seeing ol' Superman fly for the first time!