Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition

Customer Reviews:

Worth it!
I would call myself a casual fan of Superman. Enough of a fan to get this set - and I think it was worth it.

The extras on the original Superman series was very cool to see. Including a lot of back story on how Superman was crated in the 1930s and its various incarnations. The extras about Superman Returns were not as interesting. It was too much of just some dude with a camcorder following Bryan Singer around. Not too exciting nor insightful (Of course, Superman Returns was still a very good movie). I think the way they do "behind-the-scenes" specials today lacks something. Seeing people just keep saying "And then to do this cool effect we just programmed it into this computer here" is not very interesting. But, for the original Superman series it was cool to see all the things they did to so "you will believe a man can fly". All the interviews and insights into the relationship (or lack thereof) between the director and the producers was interesting.

I never knew Donner filmed both Superman I and II at the same time, yet he was never given the chance to finish the second one. And therein lies the coolest part of the whole set - The Richard Donner cut of Superman II. I think his version is much better than the way the movie was released in 1981 under Lester's direction. It was surprising to see how many scenes Lester reshot. Donner's cut does a much better job of character development. Specifically, the relationships between Superman/Clark and Lois, Superman and his Father and even Lex and Miss Tessmocker. The way in which Superman losses then regains his powers was much more believable, interesting and captivating than in how the other director did it. Donner also had a much more engaging way in which Lois tests whether or not Clark is Superman. All in all, Donner did the film in a more serious way than Lester's campy version. The only thing I thought lacked in Donner's version was the fight scenes between Superman and the 3 baddies (however, I think that was more due to Donner never actually filming those scenes and wanting to use as little of Lester's work as possible).

All in all a neat set that is fun to watch again in full surround sound!

--2006-12-18

Dissapointed with Warner!
I was highly excited with this this edition of Superman, I thought Warner had finally got their act together and gave us all the films we deserved. After playing most of the discs, I was dissapointed by a number of issues. First of all the soundtrack on the original Superman movie doesn't include the 1978 version, this is something we were promised, but instead we get the ridiculous remixed soundtrack that I can't even bear to listen to. Those extra whoosh sounds do the film no justice whatsoever, the sound remixing team really did a lousy job restoring the audio. Secondly, just like everyone else I was very excited to see Donnors version of Superman 2, but after watching it, I think I preffered Lesters version. Maybe if Donnor was allowed to finish the film, it would've been different, but what we have is a blend of scenes that don't go together. Some of the shots just look awful, and the cgi looks terrible. Thirdly the issue surrouding Superman 3 hasn't been resolved in this release. If you want the 2000 dvd edition, wires were visible in Superman 3 which were supposed to be painted out for the dvd. We were told that this would be fixed for this edition, but when i watched it, its excactly the same as the earlier version and the wires are still visible. The disc is also missing some deleted scenes. Fourthly, Superman 4 is also missing some deleted scenes. I have no arguments over the bonus documentaries, they are all great, but I expected the errors to be fixed on the movies, and so far Warner haven't issued any replacement discs, they are just taking names and addresses. Very dissapointed indeed!
--2006-12-17

Amazon took my return w/full refund
For those of you who may still have the flawed version of the set - I sent mine back to Amazon and received a full refund. I called Amazon first to confirm that I would get the refund. If you are still waiting for the prepaid envelopes from Warner Bros., you may consider just going through Amazon. Any brick and mortar store would take back a flawed product so it is good to see Amazon will do the same thing.
--2006-12-16

5 STARS FOR AMAZON!!!! ZERO STARS FOR WARNER BROS.
Zero (0) stars for this product as released by Warner Bros.!!! 5 Stars for Amazom!!! This release has been a problem since before it it was officially released. Warner Bros. knew of the problem, yet they continued to sell this release as if they hadn't dropped the ball on the highest and greatest asset they own the rights to.

This DVD collection is flawed!!!! It is not as described in its release description. Faithful SUPERMAN fans pre-ordered it, expecting to get what was advertised. Did we get it? NO! Has Warner Bros. so much as sent the PROMISED pre-paid return envelopes to ANYONE yet? NO! Please tell me if you have? I haven't heard from ANYONE who has even received the PROMISED pre-paid return envelopes for the mis-manufacured DVDs - let alone anyone who has received CORRECTED DVDs. I bought the quote "Ultimate Collection" on its release date. I discovered the errors on the discs and called Warner Bros.'s toll free number. They PROMISED me CORRECTED DVD's BEFORE Christmas. They clearly are a bunch of liars. As of tonight, having just checked my mailbox, there are no pre-paid return envelopes to return the mis-manufactured DVDs. (Let me clarify...not defective in the sense that they don't play correctly...but not with the content they were advertised to contain). Anyone (or any company) can make mistakes, but fess up and correct your errors!!! PROMPTLY!!!!! Where are my pre-paid return envelopes you've promised us, Warner Bros.? I've called your 800 number several times. I'm told that the pre-paid return envelopes are in the mail. Don't lie to us!!!! Warner Bros. dropped the ball BIG time. Perhaps a class action lawsuit can awaken them to the error of their ways.

To anyone who has purchased this flawed released set: Have you received pre-paid return envelopes to return the mis-manufactured DVDs yet? I'm guessing you haven't? 5 (FIVE) STARS to Amazon for having stopped taking orders for this set, and as of this writing, NOT offering to sell this problematic "Ultimate Collection".

Avoid this product until we get some response from Warner Bros. I'll be the first to tell you IF and WHEN I get my pre-paid return envelopes and WHEN and IF I get my corrected DVDs. But for the time being, I can only say that Warner Bros, is about LIES, INJUSTICE and an UN-AMERICAN WAY!!! Right your wrongs Warner Bros.!!!!! You represent a hero much, much stronger than you are!!!!!!!!!
--2006-12-16

Wait until they fix their wretched problems!!
As has been said, Superman III isn't the proper version! I don't know who compiled this set, but that's an atrocity for the price I spent good hard-earned money for.

Especially when calling the 1-800 number, I had to repeat myself and ask the operator to be repeated about 20 times. (Maybe the folks who compiled the set are in that same country... it's not the United States... and yet they produce more educated people than we do?!)

I still haven't gotten the packaging to swap the discs. Even after repeating my address, did they still screw that up?? And, assuming I got the packaging, Lord only knows what would happen if they screwed things up AFTER sending out the discs.

My respect for Warner Bros has gone down quite a bit.

--2006-12-15

- Warner Home Video