Complete Superman Collection (DVD, 2001, 4-Disc Set)

This set contains all four blockbuster SUPERMAN films starring Christopher Reeve. SUPERMAN: The Superman myth is well told, from his birth on the doomed planet Krypton to his childhood in a small Kansas town and beyond, in Richard Donner's smash hit. After he comes of age, young Clark Kent, as his Earth parents have named him, learns the truth of his alien birth on a voyage of discovery to the Arctic. It is there that he learns--through a link to his long-dead birth parents--of his superhuman abilities and his responsibility to preserve and protect "truth, justice and the American Way." Once he adjusts to life in the big city, Metropolis, he discovers that hiding his superpowers as mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent isn't easy as he flirts with hard-nosed Lois Lane and battles supervillain Lex Luthor. SUPERMAN II: Once again mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent, hiding his identity as Superman, must fight for law and order. This time around, a triumvirate of nasty villains from the planet Krypton break free of their dimensional prison and hightail it to Earth, where they enjoy the same superpowers as Superman. Meanwhile, Lois Lane has discovered that Superman and Clark are the same person, so Superman debates whether to give up his abilities to become a normal man and share his life with Lois. Richard Lester takes the helm for this sequel, which is arguably the equal of the original hit film. SUPERMAN III: Superman matches wits with an evil mastermind and a computer genius who discovers the one substance that can harm the Man of Steel. Combining the known ingredients of Kryptonite with a guess at the unknown, the genius invents a new Kryptonite that doesn't kill Superman--it turns him evil. Meanwhile, a giant computer has been built for the mastermind that becomes self-aware and cannot be shut off. This entertaining combination of spectacular special effects and irrepressible comedy, once again directed by Richard Lester, features terrific madcap turns by Richard Pryor, Robert Vaughn, and Annette O'Toole and yet another majestic score by John Williams. SUPERMAN IV - THE QUEST FOR PEACE: Superman has recognized at last the greatest threat to humanity, and he is out to rid the world of nuclear weapons. But Lex Luthor, now a nuclear arms entrepreneur, creates Nuclear Man--a solar-powered Kryptonia Android and genetic clone whose powers equal (and potentially surpass) those of Superman--to rid the world of the Man of Steel. Christopher Reeve once again dons the Superman costume, this time for director Sidney J. Furie, receiving wonderful support from regulars Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, and Jackie Cooper in addition to newcomers Mariel Hemingway and Jon Cryer.

I have been a Superman fan for as long as I can remember. I even remember my parents taking me to the movies when I was young to see these movies when they came out, and watched them every chance I had when it was played on TV. It was the biggest thing, and the theaters were packed full every time one of these Superman movies came out. And I remember loving to see them. But when I purchased the box set and watched them with my girlfriend recently I was surprised at what I saw. I didn't really remember anything from when I had seen it when I was younger, all I knew is that I got to finally see Superman in action instead of just watching the cartoons on TV or reading the comic books and that Chistopher Reeve was my hero.
The movies were very long about 3 hours each, and really had no story lines. You had all of the characters there, but no reason why the bad guy was there take Lex Luthor in the first movie, he had a rivalry with Superman, but what set that off? And all of the sudden he found out that Kryptonite was his weekness, but no research was done, the actors looked through book in the underground Luther library and found his weekness. But how can that be found if the planet that Kal El(Superman) came from wasn't even discovered yet because it is light years away and it doesn't exist anymore because the planet exploded. It kind of just was all thrown together and the film studio said hey here it is now by our merchandise!
At least when Batman came out in 1989 they changed the story line a little bit and made the Joker kill Bruce Wayne's parents and that started the fued and transformation of Bruce Wayne into Batman and Jack Nappier into The Joker. The original storyline was that his parents were killed by a homeless man that was paid to kill the Wayne's by one of Gotham City's gangsters. But the movies story gives a better reason why a person would do the things he did instead of just throwing things all together like in Superman movies that are long and don't really tell you a story. The flying scenes were great for at that time and it took them about $1 million every time he flew. I gathered that peice of information from the bonus material in the Stephen J. Cannell interview on the Greatest American Hero DVD's.
But you don't have to take my word for it, just watch these 4 Superman movies for yourself and be dissapointed. The Superman Returns movie was surprisingly good. It had a very interesting storyline, and an excellent cast. This was a great comeback story, and I hope that the rest of the films that come out after this one will be just as good or better.

This is an interesting collection. Superman the Movie, the first of the Christopher Reeve movies is a classic. When I think of Superman, I think of Christopher Reeve's portrayal of him. Margot Kidder as Lois Lane is perfect and Gene Hackman is powerfully funny. The script is great...like I said, a classic. All the bit players are well cast and believable. Watch for the bit part of the original TV Lois Lane. The other three movies do not match up to the first, however they are good and enjoyable to watch. Richard Pryor plays in Superman III and does an amazing job. Also, there is an absolutely delicious one thing causes another routine in the beginning, that is beautifully orchestrated. Superman IV is the most serious in theme, but somehow doesn't match the comedic elements of the first 3. Do not look for plot elements to continue through from one movie to the next. Each movie stands alone, what happened in one does not carry through to the next. Christopher Reeves is Superman, he lived up to the reputation is his real life as well. He was a good man and it comes through in his acting.

Except for Superman 3 w/Richard Pryor which I felt was poorly done all the way around. All the others w/Gene Hackman as Lex Luther were excellent. Christopher Reeve will always be the Superman in the movies I remember. His acting is far superior than any other portrayer of Clark Kent/Superman that I have seen. Going back and forth like a light switch between personas without missing a beat is stellar. Awesome actor who took his roles seriously. A+++

SUPERMAN BOX SET of 4.

Written By Charles Rupcich of Zivio CO.
s0325125@ednet.rvc.cc.il.​us

This particular DVD set, with its chromatic plated and raised emblem from the centered front, is an eye pleaser before the movie starts. Richard Donner's 2 Masterpieces, in the first two episodes, is a magnificent display of imagery and humor with conveys a pure nostalgic masterpiece of the true essence of SUPERMAN. The far from Donner quality turns to two very different types of funny ha-ha..., to funny ok. This is apparently present in the last Christopher Reeves written story of Nuclear corruption ceasasation. Did I just say "Evil Doer?"

This is a true display of the Real Superman. My opinion of the TV based series is more than less appealing. The SUPERMAN RETURNS return is one to not be missed her in JUNE 23rd.

This series is one not be missed Also.
"Thank for you time on this your life."