I'm currently going thru the Superman films on dvd.  It's been interesting seeing the old ones again, as I hadn't seen them for awhile.

The original was a classic, very well constructed and paced.  Christopher Reeve made for an excellent Superman.

The Richard Donner cut of Superman 2 is very interesting.  I've always liked the Richard Lester version, but I think the Donner one is just as good  - especially with the restored Marlon Brando scenes. 

I think a blend between the 2 films would have made for a great overall film.  A pity Donner wasn't asked to come back to complete it - silly producers!!

Superman 3 was a mistake.  Having Richard Pryor take over the film was a bad decision, and regulated Superman to the sidelines.  Whereas the first 2 films had heart, Superman 3 was all comic book silliness - dreadful.

Superman 4 I have to say, I enjoyed better than 3, if only because it tried to go back to the original style of the first 2.  But the whole film was let down by budget cuts and awful special effects, which was a great shame.

The audio commentary for that film is a great listen, definately one to hear.

Superman Returns I thought was very disappointing.  Way too much CGI, a dull plot, overblown direction, and lifeless performances.

For my money, the first 2 Superman films are still the best ones.

I remember seeing Supergirl when it came out - very campy and kitsch if I remember correctly.

Do the extras for four include the other Power Man footage?

I want to see Supergirl again, I have no idea why but I just do. 

There are indeed deleted scenes for Superman 4.  Yes, it does include the alternate Nuclear Man footage.

It's interesting - the alternate Nuclear Man looks like the Bizarro monster from the comic book.

Of the 45 mins that was cut out of Superman 4, 30 mins is on the dvd.  Some of the scenes would definately had made the film more coherent - really stupid decision to cut so much out of it.

As I said, the audio commentary on the dvd is fantastic, definately give it a listen - very candid and revealing.

On the Superman 3 dvd, there are 20 mins of deleted scenes - but I was so bored with the film, I didnt see them - all of them include Richard Pryor apparantly - not that they would have made that film any better!!

jestear : I want to see Supergirl again, I have no idea why but I just do.

I have a copy kicking around somewhere if you want to borrow it.....

I've read that one idea was to scrape all the deleted scenes into Superman 5--but Cannon went broke, saving us from this.

Yes, that's correct.

Cannon were going to use up the 45 mins they deleted and make it for Superman 5...which they had promised Christopher Reeve himself would direct.

Superman 4 was such a wasted opportunity  - you can see where they were going in the story, but the whole thing was let down by the terrible budget.

I think the acting in it was pretty good...streets ahead of No. 3 at any rate.

Is the new Richard Donner Version of Superman II any good? by what I have read it sound like it sould be better then the original Superman II.

It's definately interesting seeing the new version of Superman 2.

I think that both have their own merits, although if I had to choose, then I'd go for the Richard Donner version, only because it has the same style as the first film.

The Richard Lester version was more silly - much like the comic books.

Richard Donner took Superman seriously, which I prefer.

I think the part from the Lester version that I missed was the opening Eiffel Tower seige - which I liked...and isnt in the Donner version.

The Marlon Brando scenes in the Donner one are great and should have been kept.

Definately see it though.  Such a shame that Donner was forced out in the first place - penny pinching producers!!!!!

That is what the said in the SFX artical I just read from the December Mag. I might splug and get it.Maybe Bryan Singer should get Donner in to help him make a great superman.

On a side track, After having to suffer a second viewing (Still no improvement) I noticed the nerd henchman (the one under the table during the crystal test on the model railroad set) plays the role in EPIC movie spoof of the one who goes to the bitch Queen. Epic movie is slightly better than Superman 5 but not nearly as funny.

yeah there were two actors in the film which were in a film they paradied.

"The original was a classic, very well constructed and paced.  Christopher Reeve made for an excellent Superman."

I agree totally!

"The Richard Donner cut of Superman 2 is very interesting.  I've always liked the Richard Lester version, but I think the Donner one is just as good  - especially with the restored Marlon Brando scenes."

"Superman 2" was the best one!!! 

"I think a blend between the 2 films would have made for a great overall film.  A pity Donner wasn't asked to come back to complete it - silly producers!!"

Excellent idea!!!

"Superman 3 was a mistake.  Having Richard Pryor take over the film was a bad decision, and regulated Superman to the sidelines.  Whereas the first 2 films had heart, Superman 3 was all comic book silliness - dreadful."

Pryor was a wanker!!!

"Superman 4 I have to say, I enjoyed better than 3, if only because it tried to go back to the original style of the first 2.  But the whole film was let down by budget cuts and awful special effects, which was a great shame."

I can't remember "Superman 4"

"Superman Returns I thought was very disappointing.  Way too much CGI, a dull plot, overblown direction, and lifeless performances."

Again, I agree, but I liked all the sentimentality in the "Superman Returns" - it was a nice touch.
And Spacey, as usual, was excellent!


"I remember seeing Supergirl when it came out - very campy and kitsch if I remember correctly."

I remember it, too.
And I also remember having a crush on Helen Slater when I was a kid. 

The thing that bothered me was at least there was pretend chemistry between Margot Kidder and Chris Reeves - they acted and you could believe there was a spark there that they weren't quite willing to act upon.

However - between Brandon Routh and Kate Bosworth you'll get more action out of a glacier.  Brandon tried to be interested in Kate, his acting was quite good I thought, he tried to be alien and distant, not quite sure of who he is and where he is going, then realising Lois was engaged he tried to distance himself from her emotionally.

Kate was a wet bag.  She was dull, boring and bland.  I've met broomsticks that were sexier.

At least Margot was attractive and firey, you could have replaced Kate with an Auton from Dr Who and no-one would have noticed, except Brandon as he got a better reaction from his lines.

maybe if yopu swap Lois with Jimmy thne it might work.

Posey Parker--wot a woman!

Martin : Posey Parker--wot a woman!

I preferred her in Superman than in Blade Trinity.
I am getting more impressed with her work the more I see it.
Yes, she also is not hard to look at.   

she would have played an even better Lois Lane.

Yes - Parker Posey for Lois Lane that would have worked.

I agree with Tareth - Kate Bosworth was a terrible Lois Lane.

She had no spark, fire or pizzaz.

Margot Kidder and even Noel Nell from the 50s tv show were much better.

Bosworth was much too wooden.

But as Ive said - Superman Returns was quite disappointing really - much too serious.

Parker Posey did at least liven things up.  Kevin Spacey also was quite good - although Gene Hackman was the best Luthor for sure.

Superman Returns was only just a success - made a small profit.

The next film must be better if they want it to be a continuing franchise.