Superman - The Ultimate Collection [DVD]

Ah, Christmas... a time for giving, a time for thinking of others. And here I am, spending a great wodge of cash on myself by purchasing this magnificent box set; I apologise to all my relatives, but it had to be done. For anyone with a passing interest in the Man of Steel, you really couldn't ask for more than you've been given here.

Even if you bought the four-disk blue box set from a while ago, there's still more than enough here to justify the extra outlay. Thirteen DVDs, all housed in a resplendent silver metal case and with the accompanying booklet designed to resemble an issue of The Daily Planet. Fanboy heaven.

The first film, which remains one of the greatest superhero adaptations in cinema history, takes up a whopping four discs. You'll find the original version you probably saw in cinemas as a child, the expanded version from 2000, which includes a welcome number of extra scenes on Krypton at the beginning, plus two discs of extras. There are the documentaries, screen tests, etc. which appeared with the film in the blue box set, plus a 70s 'making of' TV show, some vintage cartoons and even a 1951 Superman movie starring George Reeves. The cartoons and film may only be of passing interest, but they still make interesting viewing.

The 1980 sequel, which I know many fans regard as highly as the original, if not more highly, for its darker, more serious tone, gets three discs to itself. There's the cinema version of the film, another 'making of' and a TV special celebrating 50 years of Superman, plus more vintage cartoons. Of most interest, however, is the brand new Richard Donner version of Superman II. Donner was the director of the first film of course, and much of the sequel was shot at the same time as the original. Unfortunately Donner fell out with the producers and Richard Lester was brought in to replace him, mixing some of Donner's footage with new material. Lester did a good job, but here we get to see the film as Donner would have made it, using material which was removed from the cinema release, and it makes for quite a different experience - a very good one, at that. Several famous scenes such as Niagra Falls and the whole Eiffel Tower bomb sequence are replaced with Donner's material; it makes for fascinating viewing and may even become the accepted version of the second film amongst fans.

The thrid and fourth films are controversial, to say the least. III was an attempt to inject extra humour into the series, and although it isn't a terrible film by any means, it just doesn't really work as it should. Richard Pryor was a great comedian, but here he is shackled by appearing in a PG-rated film, and the slapstick tone means it's difficult to feel much tension during the final confrontation with the monstrous 'super computer'. It is quite amusing to see the 1983 computers and technology though, especially the Atari video game! Superman IV has a well-intentioned anti-nuclear theme, but to be absolutely frank it's a complete disaster. Made on a shoestring budget (notoriously, Milton Keynes doubles as Metropolis) the effects are terrible and the script is even worse. You probably won't want to watch it more than once. Both these films come on one disk with a few barebones extras like trailers and deleted scenes.

Next, there's Superman Returns. Personally, I enjoyed this film. I know many of us have a special affection for Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder and Gene Hackman in the roles of Clark, Lois and Lex, so it is quite jarring to see new (and much younger!) actors in these roles, but I think they all did a decent job, and the film is definitely a visual treat. It follows the tone of Superman II, with more drama and romance than the other entries, and perhaps it does tend to drag a little at times, but overall I thought Bryan Singer did a good job and I hope he makes a second. You basically get the same extras as with the 2-disc edition of 'Returns' available seperately, which include a long documentary detailing the making of the film in incredible detail.

The final two discs contain yet more extras. First there's 'Look, Up In The Sky!', a brand new full-length documentary about the history of Superman in comic, TV and film form. The final DVD contains 'You Will Believe', which concentrates on the highs and lows of Superman's cinematic adventures. There's also a moving tribute to Christopher Reeve, who proved to be as much of a hero in real life as he was on screen, a piece about the beliefs, myths and legends that went into the development of Superman as a character and finally a few oddballs from the archives; a Super Pup TV show and three classic cartoon Superman spoofs.

The word 'exhaustive' could have been invented with this set in mind. If that lot doesn't satisfy you, nothing will. It's an absolutely terrific set and well worth the price. I only wish someone would produce a similarly impressive set for the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies.

Having recently returned from New York, I was lucky enough to come across this in one of the outlet malls and snatched it up quicker than you can say "kryptonite".

There are 14 discs in the box-set I bought and as far as I can tell (I don't have the set in front of me at the moment), the extra disc is Bryan Singer's Video Blogs from the set of Superman Returns.

-----------------CAUTION, SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!-----------------------------

I have watched the Richard Donner version of Superman II and have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is quite a different film from the theatrical release, in that I found the cutting of the film to be quite comic-book like.......short scenes, cut from the three villians to a scene with Lois and Clark and then back to General Zod and his cohorts. I enjoyed the continuity between I & II (one of the nukes from the end of the original film was the reason that the villians escaped the Phantom Zone.......and even the effects of their escape looked a lot better than the original movie). Also the explanation as to why Superman turns back time at the end of II, is insightful.....though I can't understand how they intended to finish the first film, if they intended to use the "turns back time" at the end of II instead! (maybe it will be expalined when I watch the first film again?????)

I'm not going to give away any more of the "plot" (even though it hasn't changed that dramatically), but I will say that the additional scenes with Marlon Brando and Christopher Reeves are excelent!

The "re-making" documentary is very insightful. I didn't realise that both Superman I & II were filmed at the same time and the fact that Richard Donner and the crew that restored the new version had to use the Margot Kidder / Christopher Reeves Screen-test in the actual movie (where she shoots clark to prove he is Superman)

I cannot wait to see the rest of the movies (yes, even the dire Superman IV!!!! - as bad as it was, it's worth a bit more that use as a coaster!!) and the copious hours of extra material.

This is a must buy for anyone that has seen and loved the original movies.........like me as a young boy, yearning to fly (but with out his pants outside his tights!!!).

It's well worth the money and I reckon would be cheap at twice the price.(that's not an invitation for marketers to increase the price though....tee hee!)

Released in the aftermath of Superman Returns, this Ultimate Collection is a bible for everything Superman.

It's quintessential and will greatly benefit the diehard fan than, say, the average cinemagoer. It features the original Superman franchise - starring Christopher Reeve - which lasted from 1978 to 1987. Bryan Singer's Returns, a reboot with modest similarities to Richard Donner's timeless vision, makes up the fifth film. Then, there is a myriad of portrayals and interpretations in a stunning set of special features. These range from newly released documentaries to old trailers, black-and-white pilots, parody cartoons, and academic assertions.

In terms of the movies, the first two are definitely must-haves. Superman: The Movie will always have an enduring legacy. It was the first movie to make an audience believe that man could fly. The scenario of the film works in a structure of three acts greatly taking advantage of the religious mythology in the comic books. Superman II ensures the adventure continues. In this collection, there are two versions of the sequel. The theatrical release as it was seen in 1980, but also a special edition version courtesy of Donner. Back in the day, the original intention was to film both movies back-to-back, and release them in a similar fashion within a few months of each other. Therefore Donner was directing two motion pictures at once. Production became so strained that the crew were forced to work exclusively on the first movie. After it was released to the cinema with praise and applause, Richard Donner was sacked.
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut is a compilation of scenes he originally shot for the sequel, as well as inserts of digital technology, and some scenes with actors doubling for the original cast members. It's not a perfected presentation per say, but it's the closest we, the fans, will get to this man's defined vision.
The third film went badly wrong - though the good and evil struggle between two Supermen of repelling qualities is executed with masterly precision - and the fourth film, I express this sternly, should be avoided at all costs.

Superman Returns is highly underrated. It was a very dark portrayal of the classic character, - something that none of the Reeve films could have realistically achieved - and yet it's condemned for lacking in humility and being too bright. The film deals with the return of the Man of Steel - one way of bridging the gap between the 19 years of IV: The Quest for Peace in 1987, and Returns in 2006 - after years of absence only for him to realise the world has moved on, and learned to survive in situations without him. This realisation leads him into conflict with Lois Lane, the star reporter and someone now engaged and with a child, and the return of an old foe, Lex Luthor.

The Amazing Story of Superman is a neat attempt, at telling the character's history in comic book and movie and television, in two hours. If anything, it's too short and so many elements are just given brief highlights instead of being explored in crackling exposition. I suppose, in a nutshell, this documentary charts the course of Superman's change, particularly in the comic books, in the context of a changing world. It does a pristine job of showing how Superman changed from decade to decade.
In addition to that is a brand-new documentary - You Will Believe - solely concerned with the making of the original Superman movies. This documentary goes into far greater details and elaborates on everything from the script and casting, to the painful stresses of the production and the rewards that were reaped at the end of the day.

Other features include a tribute to Christopher Reeve - a moving presentation about the real-life hero behind the cape - and a view of Superman's mythological structure, and thus the religious symbols and fairy tale allegories that have come to define his character as a worldwide phenomenon.

If you're a Superman fan and haven't got this, then get it! You won't be disappointed...