Superman Ultimate Collection

It's been a while since I've felt like posting on anything. I got the 14 disc Superman Ultimate Collection last week. I've gone through a lot of the discs, but certainly not all.

It's quite a set. It has the original 1978 version of Superman: The Movie, as well as the 2000 expanded version. It also includes the original Superman II version as well as the newly released Richard Donner version. If you're unfamiliar with the history of Superman II, take a look at my review for Superman Returns.

I read somewhere, and I can not remember where exactly, that recommended watching the Lester version (i.e. the original theatrical release) of Superman II, before watching Donner's version. I was so reluctant to do this, especially since I had recently watched Lester's SII back in May. What made it more difficult to do that was the fact that ever since I learned about a possible Donner Superman II, I had been extremely anxious to see it. Well, the advice I read is the best advice. Watch Lester's SII before Donner's. You will have forgotten little details here and there and it's nice to be able to note the differences.

I'm not interested in writing a review of Donner's SII, but let me say that it is a much more satisfying film than Lester's.

Also included in this set is all of the original Max Fleischer Superman cartoons from the 1940s. As well as the never before aired Super Pup pilot that was thankfully never picked up. If that wasn't enough, it includes SIII, SIV, and the new Superman Returns which itself include a 3 hour making of documentary. There's a documentary on the making of all of the original Christopher Reeve Supes movies. What? You said that isn't enough?! Ok, they also included the Superman and the Mole-Men movie with George Reeves. Sheesh! Are you happy now? But wait! There's more! (This seems more like an infomercial) They also included the Look, Up in the Sky documentary on Superman himself.

Be aware that the first disc, Superman: The Movie (1978 version) is missing the Dolby Stereo 2.0 sound track and the Superman III disc is missing the advertised extras. Warner Bros. is offering replacements for these discs at no cost to you. I called the 800 number the day after I got it. They're supposed to be sending me mailers, but I haven't received them yet. Here's the 800 number for those of you that buy it: 1-800-553-6937

It is definitely an impressive set. All the more impressive is the fact that you can get it for $70 online. That works out to $5 a disc. I have a number of box set DVDs. That's apparent to anyone that has taken a look at my DVD collection. While I don't know if this is the best DVD box set, it is certainly one of the best. If you're any sort of a Superman fan, you really can not go wrong with this set.