Superman/Superman II [DVD] [1978]

This film is a credit to the days when special effects were not done on computer but by the skill of men and women using conventional techniques, the film also has added takes which have been included so watch carfully especially when Superman enters the sewers to meet Lex Luthor.

All in all I have to give this film 5 stars because it never pretends to be something that it isn't, it has great action, tense emotional moments, wonderful acting and of course a truly insperational music score.

If you loved Superman when you were a kid then buy this DVD version and relive those days.

This truly is one of those films that can honestly becalled a Classic.

There is more information about the Phantom Zone which is also interesting since it is mentioned more in Superman II. There are other deleted scenes which I won't spoil. However, you can see why they were cut out in the end from some point of view, but they're still great viewing. The dolby surround sound is excellent.

Besides what is mentioned on the video and DVD, they were clever enough to add some more deleted scenes which weren't mentioned on the back of the video. It's Superman that has the main extras, here. Superman II is just an added bonus.

However, no film goes without credit but this one gets much credit. Superman and Superman II still live up to their great expectations. Gene Hackman is rather amusing as Lex, but the fact you don't know much about his past makes him interesting. Ned Beatty and Valerie Perrine make great sidekicks and the comic is still there. Marlon Brando even has an extended welcome as well in the special edition. Great addition to your video collection - Superman and Superman II. Buy it now. A word of warning: the VHS version is much more elusive than the DVD edition. Enjoy the films!

I needn’t burden you with the plot; we all know that by know – especially those of us who have been watching ‘Smallville’. This movie is pitch perfect, capturing the tone and tempo of the comic books known to millions – it begins with bucolic scenes of the small Kansas town in which Clark Kent is discovered and grows up, evoking a simpler age of long summer days spent in rolling corn fields. This is not rushed (as filmgoers were used to a less frantic pace in films) and we are permitted some time in the company of the young man discovering his powers for the first time and not knowing what to make of them. We follow him North where he finds the Fortress of Solitude and learns the truth about his identity. These scenes are both well constructed, magnificently shot, and provide a real contrast for the deliberately comic book style of what is to follow as we find Clark (like a fish out of water) in Metropolis (like Gotham this is essentially a re-named New York City) working for the Daily Planet. The pace of the film then shifts gear, introducing Lex Luthor who provides both comic and villainous elements to the film, (it is worth a look just to see what a great comic actor Hackman can be) and his bungling sidekick (played for laughs by Ned Beatty).

The finale is superb as Luthor executes his dastardly plan (when movie villains still had dastardly plans) to trigger an massive earthquake along the San Andreas fault, and has our hero flying all over the place trying to save the day.

Basically the second movie is part two – picking up from an early scene in one, we see three super villains banished to the Phantom Zone accidentally released by Superman after saving the Eiffel Tower (and the superbly cast Margot Kidder as love interest Lois Lane), who reek havoc when arriving on earth. Not now needing any introductory scenes this is comic book style all the way and in many ways exceeds the first movie in terms of humour and plot. It is a pity that they felt the need to ruin the memories of these fine films by carrying on with two further movies – Warner’s have a tendency to do this (see Batman Forever and the truly dire Batman & Robin). There are rumours of another one on the way and the name McG has been mentioned – and given the Charlie’s Angels movies one can only pray that he won't defile the names of these movies still further.

The extras on the DVD are excellent, and particularly so when you recall how paltry these extras were at the time of release, the features take you through each part of the film process, including the acrimonious departure of Richard Donner (replaced by Richard Lester after having shot a great deal of Superman 2 already) which is dealt with in a frank and refreshing manner.They are all introduced by a cheery (and hardly aged) Jimmy Olsen.

If you love your comic book movies do yourself a huge favour and add this to your collection – you’ll be enjoying it for years to come.