Superman: Motion Picture Anthology 1978-2006 [Blu-ray] [1978] [Region Free]

We have enjoyed all the superman films and this one was just as exciting and enjoyable as all the others. A great film.

I've seen the Superman movies hundreds of times but never seen them looking so clear as in this Blu Ray box set!Superman: The Movie is not just my favourite film ever, and not only has one of the most memorable performances in cinema history, with Christopher Reeve perfectly embodying Superman and Clark Kent, not only has such superb cinematography and the timeless and genius score by John Williams, but is THE DEFINITIVE Superman film that will play to every generation of children, perhaps till the end of time.Superman II is so watchable still, for its entertainment, story and character development. The hits come more often than the misses, and Reeve is just so compelling to watch, however the film looks more dated than the first, and is not as timeless as the original.Superman III has an equal share of hits and misses, and if you ignore all the useless Richard Pryor farcical comedy and in fact most of the villain's story, what you end up with is a wonderful and romantic story between Clark Kent and Lana Lang (with Reeve developing his character further by not letting Clark become such a bumbling fool anymore), and perhaps the best scene in the movie: Evil Superman fighting good Clark Kent.Superman IV is painful however you look at it, and only watchable for the memory of Reeve and his efforts in this film. The cast don't let him down either, but the budget, the effects and the script are so constrained, that the best parts of the film are in scenes of dialogue between the actors when no effects are required. One scene I do love though is the double date.I only wish Reeve had been given another chance at a bigger budgeted Superman movie in 1990/91.Superman Returns was fantastic at the time (2006), mainly as a great homage to the original movie. But now it appears too dark, too slow and too sombre with Routh's Superman failing to have any personality and his more entertaining Clark Kent struggling to get enough screen time.Special Features: endless and amazing and everything you could ask for!

The superman films have always had significant meaning for me as along with He Man were my staple diet of superhero nutriion as I was growing up.This box set therefore in my opinion is absolutley fantastic. The only thing I dont understand is why I didnt buy it sooner.Great quality sound and visuals, only let down by Superman IV(Which I remember seeing at the cinema aged 6). The storyline and the cost cutting production I am sure was an embarrassment for all involved.Apart from that the extra features and the restoration of the first three films and the inclusion of Superman Returns (which was harshly treated by critics and fans)is great value for money. The box packaging is also great with the only negative being the Spanish script on the discs.Why buy it?Christopher Reeve is terrific as Superman/Kent in the first three films and his portrayal has stood the test of time. Superman II in my opinion is the best of all of the films included in this set. It is a fantastic story of romance and good old fashioned good v evil with Reeve adding another dimension to the dilemma of Superman as he becomes mortal.The Donner cut again is an excellent addition with the extra scenes of Brando a real treat and is really how the original Superman II should have been released back in 1980. It is worth buying this set just for the Donner cut and the featurettes so go on you wont regret it.The best box set money can buy!

I love comic book movies. As a child at christmas there were only two films I ever wanted to see Star Wars and Superman. Superman was the ultimate and really the only superhero around in the 80's inless you include the mini series of the Hulk and watching the movies again took me back to a time before CGI when effects were done the old fashioned way and people acually flew on wires and the back drops were and green screen were not always perfect.The first thing that grabs you with Superman is the amazing score by John Williams. This is one of the most iconic pieces of music in film only a few movies can grab you with a tune before anything happens and Superman is one of the along with Star Wars and Indiana Jones I defy people not to smile and feel just a little bit happier when the superman theme kicks in.The movies themselves are a mixed bag Superman 1 & 2 were made at the same time and as such look identical both of these movies come on two discs. In the case of first movie you get the original movies on one disc and the expanded version on the next disc. Both are good but if your gonna watch the first movie you may as well watch it with everything in. The blu ray release is good and the transfer is very clear. Also included here is Superman And The Mole-Men a 1951 black and white movie. In the case of Superman 2 you again get the original release one disc and the Richard Donner Cut on the next disc. For me I prefre the original version I understand the reason for it to be included and some of the extra material is good but there is a problem. This is not a case of deleted scenes being put back in. Much of this never even made the movie as a result what you get is screen tests and original ideas of scenes meaning things get a little jumbled. For example 1 minute Clarke Kent is in a suite talking then in street clothes with different glasses then back in a suit as a result it doesn't seem to run as smoothly as the original release and is worth watching once but I doubt I shall watch this verson again. Again the tranfser is pretty good and the special effects while dated by todays standards still hold up fairly well.Superman 3 comes on 1 disc. Many people thought this was the movie that brought about the end of the original Superman franchise I how ever disagree. This is my wifes favourite Superman movie and I really like it myself. Richard Pryor is a little over the top at times but it injests a little light heartedness into something that was getting in danger of taking it to seriously. The idea of a super computer that can do anything and take out superman is a little far fetched but then so is the idea of a man who can fly. This movie also gives us the evil version of Superman and the junkyard battle between he and Clark Kent wich is pretty good. Its one of the few times we ever see an evil side to the always noble man of steel and the leaning tower of Pizza scenes are pretty funny. It doesn't appear to have recieved the same treatment as the first two movies which is pretty much what I expected. Superman 3 is not as good as the first movie but its a comical distraction to the second which at times takes itself a little to seriously.Superman 4 again on its on disc but I doubt I shall ever watch it. The plot is beyond stupid the super villian inept to say the least and from what I recall I dont even think the cast wanted to be involved in it. Sadly you gain another disc here thats pretty pointless although some of the bonus features are ok I guess.Superman Returns released I think in 2006 this movie saw the return to the big screen for the man of steel to some mixed reviews. I enjoyed the movie and even though Christoper Reeve is really the only Superman Brandon Routh does a pretty good job. Directed by the man that gave us Xmen this is a different pace then the prievious films. Set years later this see's Superman returning to Earth after seeking out his home planet. Lois Lane is now married with a child and the world is calm and neither Clark nor Superman seem to be needed until that is Lex Luthor played in this movie by the brilliant Kevin Spacey once again plans to take over the planet. This movie is darker and a little grittier but some of the scenes seem to be there foor the sake of it or have been done before. A good example is the plane scene Superman saves a plane falling from the sky this was also done in the first Superman so is it a case of just doing again cause now we can do it better. As you would imagine for its age this film looks good on blu ray a few of the cgi shots don't hold up that well by today's standards but on the whole its pretty good and deffinatley better theen Superman 4.Disc 8 is the features disc filled with documentries ranging from the comic book roots of Superman through to the changes made over the years to how the movies were made. Also this disc includes some of the less then good Superman spin off like superboy and the pilot episode of The Adventures Of Superpup which is not good by any stretch of the imagination.So including Superman And The Mole-Men you get six movies and hours after hours of bonus features. Superman 1,2 & 3 are really good movies Superman 4 is a waste of a film and Superman Returns is an ok return. With next years re-boot Man Of Steel looming and the promise of a more grittier and darker Superman this is the ideal time to get this collection as I suspect the price will rise the closer to that movie we get.In closing this is a Super set(no pun intended) and well worth the money there are a few complaints however. I am not a fan of these fold out cardboard cases much like the Star Wars blu ray set I feel this would have been better if packaged in slimline blu ray cases 1 each for Superman 1&2, 1 for Superman 3&4 and another for Superman Returns and the bonus material. My other complaint is that there is nothing on the disc to actually tell you what each disc is. Its a case of guess work which is a little bit much to be fair. But these are petty gripes although Superman is not in my opinion the easiest Superhero to relate to. Due to the fact that he is above repute and pretty much has no weaknesses. These films are classics well most of them the picture quality is great and the audio is crisp and with more features then you can shake a stick at its well worth £20 of any ones money. Plus just sitting there hearing that theme is a comic book fans dream. Also I would give The Superman Motion Picture Anthology 4.5 out of 5.