SUPERMAN 5-FILM COLLECTION Looks Super in 4K

SUPERMAN 5-FILM COLLECTION (4K UHD/Blu-ray)

1978-1987 / 601 min (5 movies)

FROM WARNER BROS / #InPartnershipwithWB

Review by Mr. Paws😺

This new boxed set might be of more interest to videophiles than die-hard Man of Steel fans. All four Superman films featuring Christopher Reeve (as well as the 2006 Richard Donner Cut of Superman II) get a 4K facelift. For the most part, they look and sound terrific with excellent transfers. Whether or not every individual film is actually worth upgrading is certainly debatable, but they are bundled together in an attractive, sturdy box, each film with its own case (as opposed to those annoying, cumbersome Digipaks).

However, the Superman 5-Film Collection isn’t quite comprehensive. Though considered part of this specific canon, Superman Returns is not included (while some previous Blu-ray collections did). That’s kind of a shame because, at the very least, it’s a hell of a lot better than the dire third and fourth films (though I’m in the minority on this, I’d even argue it’s better than Superman II). But I get it. From a certain perspective, it makes sense to focus exclusively on the Christpher Reeve films.

Additionally, only the theatrical cut of Superman: The Movie is included, whereas other editions also featured the longer “Special Edition”. And one time, Warner Bros even released the 3-hour “Extended Cut” that was originally prepared for television. While I personally feel the original cut remains the superior version, including the others (even if only on Blu-ray) would have made the set more fan friendly. 

The first movie remains the greatest-ever adaptation of Superman for the big screen. Earnest, epic and (for its time) visually spectacular, not-only was it the first big-budget superhero film, the concept was taken more-or-less seriously, without a whiff of irony or campy, tongue-in-cheek humor. But it’s still often quite funny, thanks largely to Gene Hackman’s scene-stealing turn as Lex Luthor.

Super-sloshed.

Both versions of Superman II are uniquely different viewing experiences. Though Richard Lester’s theatrical version is a worthy sequel, there's a noticeable shift toward the type of humor prevalent in the director’s other work. Of course, most fans are aware that original director Richard Donner (who did the first film) was unceremoniously fired during production. But in 2006, he was allowed to re-cut Superman II as he originally envisioned. Whether or not The Richard Donner Cut is an improvement is certainly debatable, but because the pace and tone of both are so dissimilar, it’s like watching different adaptations of the same story.

Even back in 1983, Richard Pryor sharing top billing with Reeve in Superman III reeked of gratuitous stunt casting. Sure enough, with Lester returning as director, there’s an overemphasis on comedy that’s completely out-of-step with the first two films. Reeve is terrific as usual, but Pryor is woefully miscast and, through no fault of his own, not remotely funny. But it’s The Dark Knight compared to Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, produced by notoriously-frugal Cannon Films. As the Jaws: The Revenge of superhero movies, it’s choppy, cheap and utterly inane, marking a sorry end to the Christopher Reeve era.

But hey, Superfans are probably gonna want the bad films, too, if simply to chart the rapid descent of a franchise with the morbid fascination that hindsight provides. Good and bad, they’re all here in this boxed set for posterity, most presented in 4K for the first time. It also includes excellent vintage bonus material (on accompanying Blu-ray discs) related to both the films and Supe’s history. The Superman 5-Film Collection falls just short of definitive, but those seeking technical upgrades should have no complaints.

EXTRA KIBBLES

4K, BLU-RAY & DIGITAL COPIES

SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE

“THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE” 

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By producer Pierre Spengler & exec-producer Ilya Salkind.

SUPERMAN AND THE MOLE MEN (1951) - One of the earliest feature-length Superman movies, featuring George Reeves.

3 LOONEY TUNES SHORTS - “Super Rabbit”; “Snafuperman”; “Stupor Duck” (one of the best Daffy Duck cartoons, in our opinion).

TRAILERS & A TV SPOT

SUPERMAN II

“THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN II”

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By producer Pierre Spengler & exec-producer Ilya Salkind.

FLEISCHER STUDIOS’ CARTOONS - 9 animated shorts from the 1940s.

DELETED SCENE

TRAILER

SUPERMAN II - THE RICHARD DONNER CUT

“SUPERMAN II: RESTORING THE VISION” - This doc primarily features Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz, the primary collaborators on this cut.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz.

INTRODUCTION BY RICHARD DONNER

FAMOUS STUDIOS’ CARTOONS - 8 shorts from Paramount’s animation studio. 

6 DELETED SCENES

SUPERMAN III 

“THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN III”

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By producer Pierre Spengler & exec-producer Ilya Salkind.

11 DELETED SCENES

TRAILER

SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE

“SUPERMAN 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL” - Vintage TV special, hosted by Dana Carvey, who’s as unfunny as ever.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By co-writer Mark Rosenthal.

15 DELETED SCENES

TRAILER