Superman - The Movie (1978)

Richard Donner's 1978 epic about the Man of Steel showed how a film about a superhero could be a moving and romantic experience even for people who long ago gave up comic books. Beginning on the icy planet Krypton, the story follows the baby Kal-El, whose rocket ship lands in Smallville, Kansas. He is found there by a childless couple and raised as the shy Clark Kent (the young Kent is played by Jeff East). The film is perhaps most touching in these sequences, with expanses of wheat fields blowing in the wind and with a young man who can't figure out what part in destiny his great powers are meant to play. The second half, with Reeve taking over as Clark/Superman, is bustling, enchanting (the scene in which Superman flies girlfriend Lois Lane--played by Margot Kidder--through the night sky is great date material), and funny, thanks largely to Gene Hackman's sardonic portrayal of nemesis Lex Luthor. --Tom Keogh Amazon.com essential video

A Walking Public Service Announcement. Great Looking and Sounding DVD.

Remember those PSA commercials? For example. I feel so dark inside I feel like I want to cry it's hard to live with a lie (this is a song). Then the girl goes to her sister and says, "I took your necklace". I think it was from the church of Latter Day Saints (if I messed that up and your a member, sorry). No fear Superman is here and he doesn't lie! He does however live one but there are reasons.

What about the PSA about safety in the house and the pot of boiling water with the mean face. The message was KEEP THOSE POT HANDLES TURNED IN, then the pot had a nice smiley face. Or the plug that was a dangerous snake. Superman has you covered he's impervious to heat. Phew. I better get a move on cause I'm pretty hungry. I hanka for a hunka cheese yahoo. Back to the review.

I don't need to go into the plot it's Superman. Entertainment wise it's a fun ride. The score is classic, great, and makes me want to leap tall buildings. The bad guys though and Lex just didn't do it for me. They're bad guys for the sake of being bad guys, period. I'll take Doc Ock and Spider-Man 2 (Widescreen Special Edition) personally.

Supreman is still in my top three super hero movies and will be tons of viewers number 1. For me I'll take Hellboy (Director's Cut) [Blu-ray] and Spider Man 2, but the movie was still super.

For home theater enthusiasts this could go in the reference pile. Sound wise crank up the beginning and that song, whoo. Good times. And the picture quality on this was amazing as far as dvds go. This dvd was recognized in Sound and Vision some time ago as a reference disc.

So remember to eat your greens and have a super day. June 25, 2008

R.I.P. Christopher Reeves.

Can there ever be another Superman. No.
Reeves will always be the man of steel no matter how many times Hollywood tries to remake the movie.
The acting is just so so.
But we didn't see this movie for the acting. We saw it to see what Superman could do.
What couldn't he do?
Awesome story, awesome FX for it's time.
A brilliant movie and a must see/must own.
June 25, 2008

How about the ORIGINAL THEATRICAL version... please!

Dear Warner Home Video: How about taking a page from the Blu-Ray releases of "Blade Runner" and "Close Encounters"..? - Feel free to dole out all the the extended or director's cut versions you have... But PLEASE INCLUDE THE ORIGINAL THEATRICAL VERSION. Do really expect fans of this movie to sit down with VHS or laserdisc, if they simply want to see the 1978 classic??? June 20, 2008

Still no edition that Donner would approve

The Blu-ray edition gives you the "Extended Version" edit, without telling you anywhere in the packaging that this is not the original release edit. The added scene where Superman tries to give Marlon Brando's ghost a hug is unintentially hilarious. There's a reason Donner cut it, and the decision to restore it is poor. We already have to deal with the Margot Kidder voiceover during the romantic flying sequence...we don't need to add more groaners to this movie. Donner's already stated he prefers the release version...why can't they give us a good release of that? June 19, 2008

A Good Movie Back in '78, But Don't Waste Your Money

I remember watching this movie at home and thinking wow, this is great! However, I was 12, the special effects were good for the time and I had nothing to compare it to (remember,I was 12). Anyway, this movie came free with my PS3, so no harm, no foul, let's see how it looks... The transfer is not that good, especially the early scenes with Brando. But that's not the only problem. Unfortunately, for me, I've seen Batman Begins, X2, Iron Man, Spider Man, just to name a few. When comparing current comic book based movies now, with Superman then, it's not even a contest. Gene Hackman and the rest of the cast did what they were supposed to, ham it up. I mean, it's a comic book, right? I'd compare Superman with the first Batman with Jack Nicholson, another really bad movie. The Donner take on things, compared to Christopher Nolan, Bryan Singer or, hell, even Brad Bird, is hokey, pure and simple. I don't get how Margot Kidder ever got the part as Clark's love interest. The special effects are cheesy (especially the Mr. Roger's neighborhood that almost gets washed away when the dam breaks. I know this is heresy, but face it, the movie has aged badly and noone should fork out any money for the blu-ray version if they already have the DVD. Even then, go rent it first. If you're honest with yourself, you'll realize that your tastes and expectations have changed, for the better. June 13, 2008

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