Blu-ray Review: Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology (1978-2006) - Page 2

Part of: Features From The Blu Lagoon

Another issue is Superman and Lois flying together. While it sounds like a great idea, and setting aside I don't even understand how the yellow sun would enable him that ability, it's hard to take serious that he could hold her body up just from her fingertips. Yet, the most ridiculous is saved for the ending where Superman travels back in time to save the day. He flies around the Earth so fast, appearing to change its rotation, in order to rescue Lois. It's such a lazy idea the writers might as well have had Superman snap his fingers to make things better. Would be just as believable.

The whole movie is a bit dopey, but it has a few redeeming qualities. John Williams' score is outstanding, creating a sense of majesty immediately evident as the opening credits roll. Christopher Reeve is a natural playing the dual role of bumbling Clark and heroic Superman. The miniature and effects work by the crew is very good and doesn't look dated.

The Blu-ray has been remastered for this release and is presented with a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode displayed at 2.40:1. Colors are bright and blacks are solid. Cinematographer Geoffrey Unsworth gives the film a classic look with a soft focus, but there's still good definition and clarity, which adds to the realism of the effects. In fact, the details are so clear right before Krypton blows up the folds of black drapes can be seen. There are occasional banding issues involving suns and planets, and Jor-El's recorded image and voice are a little tough to make out in Superman's Fortress of Solitude.

The film has DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. It impresses right from the get go as the credits thunder through the surround system and past the viewer while they are immersed in Williams' sweeping score. Objects move through the soundfield, such as the Phantom Zone prison as it soars across space. There's a little too much LFE at times, particularly during Krypton's house-rattling destruction. The track also offers great ambiance from Metropolis and the dam breaking. The main issue is Reeve's ADR dub of young Clark, which sounds a tad flat.

The commentary track presents executive producer Ilya Salkind and producer Pierre Spengler, recorded separately, offering insight into the film's creation and production. The Making of Superman: The Movie (SD, 52 min) is a 1978 TV special featuring behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the likes of director Richard Donner and actor Marlon Brando. Superman and the Mole-Men (SD, 58 min) is a 1951 movie starring George Reeves that served as the pilot for the syndicated TV series The Adventures of Superman. "Warner Bros. Cartoons" (SD, 19 min) feature three related to our hero: "Super-Rabbit" (1943), "Snafuperman" (1944), and "Stupor Duck" (1956 WB cartoon). "Trailers & TV Spot" are self-explanatory. (SD, 4 min)

Continued on the next page Page 1 — Page 2 — Page 3Page 4Page 5Page 6Page 7Page 8Page 9Page 10
Spread the word
Bookmark and Share
Profile image for gordon-s-miller

Article Author: Gordon S. Miller

Gordon S. Miller is the artist formerly known as El Bicho, the nom de plume he used when he first began reviewing movies online for The Masked Movie Snobs in 2003. Before that year was out, he became that site's publisher. …

Visit Gordon S. Miller's author pageGordon S. Miller's Blog

Read comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own
  • No image found

Article comments

Add your comment, speak your mind

Personal attacks are NOT allowed.
Please read our comment policy.
Please preview your comment.

blogcritics lists for May 20, 2013

fresh articles Most recent articles site-wide

fresh comments Most recent comments site-wide

most comments Most comments in 24hrs

top writers Most prolific Blogcritics for April

top commenters Most prolific Commenters in 24 hrs