Overview: As part of the year-long centennial celebration for the 100th anniversary of Warner Bros. Studio, five films featuring the iconic DC Super Hero Superman – Superman: The Movie, Superman II, Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut, Superman III, and Superman IV - will be available for purchase in a five-film collection on 4K Ultra HD Disc and Digital on May 9th, 2023.

Blu-ray Verdict: First up we get Superman: The Movie (1978) - Academy Award winners Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman head an all-star cast in the fantastic, action-packed film that made Christopher Reeve an international star playing the greatest superhero of all time.

From the doomed planet of Krypton, two parents launch a spaceship carrying their infant son to earth. Here he grows up to become Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Metropolis Daily Planet. But with powers and abilities far beyond those of ordinary men, he battles for truth and justice as Superman.

Superman is an important film showcasing how silly ideas can be brought to film in a way that stays true to their thematic DNA while also taking them seriously with dramatic weight as well as a sense of fun. The characters are well portrayed with Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder showing solid chemistry in their romantic relationship and Reeve does a good job showing the difficulties in balancing the man behind Superman with the identity of Kal-El, Clark Kent, and Superman shown to have a strain on him.

The villains and climax of the third act are where the movie begins to stumble with Hackman and Beatty having solid comic friction but maybe playing up the goofiness a tad too much. The climax is also really good but undermines itself with a Deus Ex Machina ending that doesn’t cost anything to our hero and undercuts the tension that might arise from any lasting damage or threat.

But flaws aside, as a prototype for a superhero film it commits to its premise wholeheartedly and like the poster says You will believe a man can fly.

Then we get Superman II (Theatrical Version) (1980) - Unwittingly released from Phantom Zone imprisonment, three superpowered Planet Krypton criminals Terence Stamp, Sarah Douglas and Jack O’Halloran) plan to enslave Earth – just when Superman (Christopher Reeve) decides to show a more romantic side to Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). Gene Hackman also returns as Lex Luthor in this sequel that features a top supporting cast, witty Richard Lester direction, and visuals that astound and delight.

When Superman (1978) arrived in theaters Christopher Reeve had become one of the biggest names around. With his portrayal of the iconic American hero and all around good guy Clark Kent / Superman, Reeve had solidified that he was in fact the original Superman (even though there were portrayals before him). Two years later fans received a delightful second entry in the life of the man of steel.

For this particular installment, there are a number of additions to the original story that was told in 1978. Much of it greatly increases the depth of the main leads, thus the best subplot to the writing is the relationship between Clark Kent and Lois Lane.

Over time Lois begins realizing the patterns at which Superman appears, making her suspicious of coworker Clark. This happens gradually and finally when it hits, it’s very sudden. Perhaps too quickly, but by that point viewers will be too invested into what is going on, that it won’t matter. This is a pivotal point because it tests Clark to see how well he can be as himself.

The practical effects are consistent and continue to be effective. Along with that are the action sequences that increase in damage and uniqueness. Surprisingly even the style of cinematography was changed. Robert Paynter took over. Although it was executed differently, the shots and overall image still look grand and beautiful.

Interestingly, we also get provided for our viewing pleasure Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (1980). Now, most movie fans know that Richard Donner began shooting Superman I & II simultaneously, and that he was fired after the first was completed to be replaced by Richard Lester. Lester re-shot most of Donner’s footage, re-working scenes and dialogue and finishing the second film as well as time, budget, and his own talents allowed. Compared to the first, it was badly paced, choppily edited, and filled with horribly out of place attempts at comedy.

In an unprecedented move, Warner Bros. recently allowed Donner to re-master and edit all of his original Superman II footage. Most of the footage had survived, and some parts had to be filled in with segments from Donner’s re-shoots and even a couple of full dress screen tests. The result is, while a bit rough around a couple of edges, remarkable. The new version is paced much better, and gone are the more cringe-inducing moments from the theatrical cut (like Superman’s amnesia kiss, or Clark’s bumbling around like a buffoon and falling into a fireplace). More importantly, however, is the dramatic weight that some of the restored scenes add to the film.

A wonderful father/son dynamic is revealed as Superman and Jor-el (Marlon Brando, appearing in previously unseen footage) find themselves at odds over the last son of Krypton’s proper role on Earth. In the theatrical cut, when a de-powered Clark returns to the fortress of solitude in a quest to regain his powers, he finds the glowing green crystalline equivalent of a Get Out of Jail Free card. In The Donner Cut, Superman’s powers are not restored without a price.

If you haven’t seen The Donner Cut, you haven’t seen Reeve’s finest acting as the son of Jor El. We also get more Gene Hackman and the delightful Valerie Perrine.

Moving on and we next get Superman III (1983) - Meet Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor), a naive computer-programming natural. For him, a keyboard is a weapon – and, as a result, Superman faces the microelectronic menace of his life. Christopher Reeve reprises his signature role, deepening his character’s human side as Clark Kent sees Lana Lang (Annette O’Toole) at a Smallville High class reunion. And when the Man of Steel becomes his own worst enemy after exposure to Kryptonite, Reeve pulls off both roles with dazzling skill. Relive Superman III with all its heart, heroism and high-flying humor.

In my humble opinion, Superman III is a curate’s egg. There is much in it which is very good - the good/bad Superman fight topping that particular list, giving Chris Reeve the opportunity to add a third characterization to Superman and Clark - but something like the fact it is also the only Superman movie that doesn’t open with John Williams awesome soundtrack, leaves me a little mad!

Yet there is much more in it which isn’t good than was the case in the previous two movies. From a technical point of view, there are noticeably fewer effects, and they are noticeably shoddier (there is some appalling color work on matted elements: one would have thought they would have been aware that Superman’s costume is blue, not green!), but by far the worst element is Richard Pryor!

Now, please don’t get me wrong. I like Richard Pryor, and the story (and Gus Gorman’s part in it) was fine. But Pryor was allowed - possibly even encouraged - to overpower the film. Just as happened with the Burton run of Batman films, the focus moved away from the titular character to someone who should have been secondary. This is at its very worst in the truly dreadful sequence when Pryor is explaining Superman’s feats in a sequence which should have centered on those feats instead of a verbal recounting of them.

The best scenes are Superman’s attack on an oil tanker, the chemistry with Pamela Stephenson’s character atop the Statue Of Liberty, and Superman getting drunk in a bar. But the true highlight is the fantastic battle between Superman and Clark Kent in the scrapyard, truly one of the finest moments in the series with Christopher Reeve at his best. Also, and noticeably, his physical appearance was at its peak in this third film.

Finally comes Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) - Christopher Reeve not only dons the title hero’s cape for the fourth time but also helped develop the movie’s provocative theme: nuclear disarmament. To make the world safe for nuclear arms merchants, Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) creates a new being to challenge the Man of Steel: the radiation-charged Nuclear Man (Mark Pillow).

The two foes clash in an explosive extravaganza that sees Superman save the Statue of Liberty, plug the volcanic eruption of Mount Etna and rebuild the demolished Great Wall of China.

Reeves had proved in the three previous films his ability to convincingly play the role of Superman. With this film, he not only proves his abilities but this is, in many respects, his best performance in the role. His speeches during the film are a sign of this and his chemistry with all the other actors helps also. Reeves also does his best to sell the special effects sequences it is a shame he couldn’t. Reeves is the films biggest saving grace and it’s a shame this would be his last time in the role.

Gene Hackman also returns in the role of Lex Luthor and with brings him that character’s with, charm, and silent menace. But somehow he seems to be out of place most of the time and serves as a drawback in many of his scenes. Mark McClure, Jackie Cooper and Margot Kidder all return in their roles. But unfortunately they are all under used and their appearances might as well be cameos.

The rest of the cast does a decent job. Mark Pillow does excellent in the role of Nuclear Man, Luthor’s super powered creation. Pillow does the role so well that one wonders how much better eh might have been in the special effects had been better. Mariel Hemingway is a welcomed addition to the cast as a heiress who serves as an additional love interest for Clark Kent. The only major addition that doesn’t fit is Jon Cryer, who could easily be the single most annoying character to ever appear in a Superman movie!

Ultra HD Blu-ray Elements:
Superman: The Movie Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:
1. Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spangler
2. The Making of Superman – vintage featurette
3. Superman and the Mole-Men – vintage featurette
4. Super-Rabbit – 1943 WB cartoon
5. Snafuperman – 1944 WB cartoon
6. Stupor Duck – 1956 WB cartoon
7. TV Spot
8. Teaser Trailer
9. Theatrical Trailer

Superman II Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:
10. Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler
11. The Making of Superman II – 1980 TV Special
12. Superman’s Soufflé – Deleted scene
13. Fleischer Studios’ Superman vintage cartoons
First Flight
The Mechanical Monster
Billion Dollar Limited
The Arctic Giant
The Bulleteers
The Magnetic Telescope
Electric Earthquake
Volcano
Terror on the Midway
14. Theatrical trailer

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:
15. Commentary by Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz
16. Introduction by Richard Donner – featurette
17. Superman II: Restoring the Vision – featurette
18. Deleted scenes
Lex and Ms. Teschmacher head north
Lex and Ms. Teschmacher head south
The villains enter the fortress
He’s all yours, boys
Clarke and Jimmy
Lex’s gateway
19. Famous Studios vintage cartoons
Japoteurs
Showdown
Eleventh Hour
Destruction, Inc.
The Mummy Strikes
Jungle Drums
The Underground World
Secret Agent

Superman III Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:
20. Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler
21. The Making of Superman III – 1983 TV special
22. Deleted scenes
Save my baby
To the rescue
Making up
Going to see the boss
Hatching the plan
The con
Rooftop ski
8ants this to go
Superman honored
Gus’ speech
Hanging up on Brad
23. Theatrical trailer

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:
24. Commentary by Mark Rosenthal
25. Superman 50th anniversary special – 1988 TV special
26. Deleted scenes
Clark’s morning
Jeremy’s letter
Superman’s visit
Nuclear Man’s prototype
Metropolis after hours
Lex ponders
Flying sequence (extended scene)
Battle in Smallville
Battle in the U.S.S.R.
Nuclear arms race
Superman’s sickness
Red alert
By my side
Lark and Lacy say goodbye
No borders
27. Theatrical trailer

Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the Superman films star Christopher Reeve as the legendary “Man of Steel.” On May 9th, 2023, the Superman 1978 – 1987 5-Film Collection will be available to purchase on Ultra HD Blu-ray™ Disc from online and in-store at major retailers and available for purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more.

The Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Packs will include an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc with the feature films in 4K with HDR, a Blu-ray disc with the feature films and special features in HD, and a Digital version of each film.

Ultra HD Blu-ray showcases 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (HDR) and a wider color spectrum, offering consumers brighter, deeper, more lifelike colors for a home entertainment viewing experience like never before.

For the complete 4K Ultra HD experience with HDR, a 4K Ultra HD TV with HDR, an Ultra HD Blu-ray player and a high-speed HDMI (category 2) cable are required.