Superman averts a number of disasters and finally finds Lois, dead. Christopher Reeve, in this scene, is very believable as an angered Superman, who knows now he can use his powers to save someone he loves. With a mighty cry he streaks away, with a disembodied Jor-El telling him he cannot interfere in human affairs. Superman ignores him and flies into space, where he starts to shoot around Earth in a blue streak, causing the planet to spin backwards, which somehow causes time to reverse (Einstein would be spinning in his grave at this point...)
Superman succeeds and Lois lives. A very relieved Superman has caught back up with Lois, who grumbles about not having a man of steel around when you need him.
We end with Superman flying in outer space. Reeve looks into the camera and smiles, flying off.
Oh, and I can't forget the wonderful score by John Williams, which will be instantly recognizable. The special edition DVD allows you to listen to just the score if you want. Also featured is audio commentary from director Richard Donner and creative consultant (read: the guy who re-wrote most of the final, shooting script) Tom Mankiewicz. Some critics have said it's not a very interesting commentary, but I thought it was well done, with the two old friends discussing the film and providing interesting tidbits on various elements of the production.
On side B of the DVD (which, unfortunately, is not labeled) you get the special features, which include a documentary on the making of Superman, as well as screen tests for the leads. It's interesting to see Christopher Reeve test with numerous well-known actresses for the role of Lois Lane (including Anne Archer and Stockard Channing) and then see him test with Margot Kidder, and you can see even from that early screen test the chemistry between them. There is also a teaser trailer and some deleted scenes.
All in all, a great DVD release for a great movie.
**** out of ****
ed:JH
Article comments
1 - LegendaryMonkey
Wow, you really like Superman. You even made me excited, and I've always been kinda blah about the movie. I get some of the same excitement, but (sorry, I'm sure I'll be eaten alive for this) Christopher Reeve just never appealed to me. Tragic, what happened to him, but he was just never an actor I could get into. And I like plenty of so-so actors, but... well... not him.
So the Superman thing just never did it for me.
2 - Scott C. Smith
Watch it again, I'll bet you'll be a convert. Just watch the whole helicopter crashing sequence and see if you're not cheering your TV set.