Home Theater Forum › Home Theater Forum › Blu-ray, DVD, Streaming Video and Digital Downloads › Blu-ray › Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

post #1 of 34
3/24/09 at 7:41am
Thread Starter 
I'm not sure how many people feel the same way, but I was very disappointed to see that Warner Home Video have no plans to re-release Superman The Movie on Blu-Ray or release Superman II (theatrical version) on Blu-Ray. Their response was along the lines of "...been there, done that to great success 2 years ago."

As Superman Returns was recently given a BD re-release (with lossless audio replacing the lossy version) - why does this classic film get left on the sidelines?

The Ultimate Superman Collection (in 2006) was a dream for DVD owners, but surely it cannot be as good as a well thought out and solid Blu-Ray release?

For those of us who would like to see the first 2 Christopher Reeve movies released properly on Blu-Ray, with good encodes, lossless audio and in their original theatrical versions, show your support here on this thread!

To Warner Home Video:

Superman The Movie was given a fresh master for the theatrical version on DVD in 2006, and it looks fantastic. Lossless audio is part of the hi-def experience, but unfortunately the Blu-Ray released in 2006 of Superman The Movie had a lossy soundtrack. I'm sure it would please many fans if you would consider releasing the Christopher Reeve Superman films on Blu-Ray, with the same attention to detail as was given to 'The Shining', '2001: A Space Odyssey' and 'Blade Runner.'

Thank you for your time!
Reply
post #2 of 34
3/24/09 at 7:56am

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

I actually wanted to ask a technical question re: Superman IV during the chat but I never got called:

What the hell was that bleep-bloop score that played during the deleted scenes?...

...and since Film Score Monthly released the complete Superman soundtracks (including the unearthed complete score for this film), would it be possible to include the deleted scenes on Blu-Ray featuring the original music? http://filmscoremonthly.com/cds/deta...man--The-Music

I'm sure WB will do some kind of Superman Blu-Ray promotion if/when they make a new Superman movie but God only knows what's happening on that front. Right now, I'd settle for the first film, featuring both versions, lossless audio, and all the existing DVD extras (plus any additional features and deleted scenes).

And there are plenty of Superfans who'd love for WB to take another shot at the Donner Cut but I doubt this would ever happen. That ship has sailed.
Reply
post #3 of 34
3/24/09 at 8:03am
Thread Starter 

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott D S
Right now, I'd settle for the first film, featuring both versions, lossless audio, and all the existing DVD extras (plus any additional features and deleted scenes).

+1 on that for sure!
Reply
post #4 of 34
3/24/09 at 8:38am

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

maybe the question should have been? what about the theatre version of superman the movie and superman 2 on bluray?

Jacob
Reply
post #5 of 34
3/24/09 at 8:50am

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

I'll go for all of it. I don't think Superman is quite done on home video just yet.
Reply
post #6 of 34
3/24/09 at 9:43am

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

I remember WB saying that Superman 2 theatrical cut was definately coming to hidef back in 2007 but it went MIA eversince. It needs to get a hi-def makeover as with respect to Dick Donner his cut of 2 is just not as entertaining and even flat in places as WB did not give him enough budget to make it the way he wanted so he compromised and did what he could with the footage available (the Brando footage they bought for Superman Returns). They should put both on a seamless branching BD but the cost would be high as the theatrical cut has very poor sound so would need extensive remastering and the movie also looks very grainy and poor so it would not be a cheap project to do as it needs a lot of fixing to make it 1080P friendly.
Reply
post #7 of 34
3/24/09 at 9:54am

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

I imagine Warner is going to want to tie in any Superman BD release to the next movie which is scheduled for 2011.

I watched the current BD the other night and am pretty happy with it. I prefer it to the theatrical cut and from a PQ standpoint, I doubt this film is going to look much better although I agree a TrueHD track could help a bit with the audio, but the 640kbs DD track is not too bad either.
Reply
post #8 of 34
3/24/09 at 10:16am

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

HDnetmovies played the theatre of superman 2 a while back.. it looks fine.

Jacob
Reply
post #9 of 34
3/24/09 at 7:24pm

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

Theatrical cuts should always be available. Always.

Superman: The Movie was one of my favorites growing up (actually, it WAS my favorite, and still is to this day) and when I watch it, I always go to the theatrical cut. The Extended is interesting and all, but the Theatrical is the only one I watch.
Reply
post #10 of 34
3/24/09 at 8:34pm

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

I have both Superman Returns on Blu and Superman: The movie on blu and they both look and sound fine.
Reply
post #11 of 34
3/25/09 at 5:38am

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

Are the BD big improvments? I have the 2006 14-DVD set and I think the PQ is great with a good scaler.
Reply
post #12 of 34
3/25/09 at 11:38am

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

The BD has far better, more natural color rendition than the 06 DVD. If you A/B, the difference stands out quite noticeably. In addition, the typical improvements of BD exist such as greater detail, resolution, being able to see actual film grain instead of DVD compression grain, etc.
Reply
post #13 of 34
3/25/09 at 11:42am
Thread Starter 

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

thanks for that info on the BD, I appreciate that - that's good to know. I just wonder what a modern encode would look like of the theatrical version, on BD
Reply
post #14 of 34
3/25/09 at 1:03pm

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

I also want the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II in BD (along with the other sequels and the theatrical cut of I). The "Donner Version" should've been a supplement on a DVD package containing the original version, I realize they did the "best they could" with the footage that was there, but trying to sell that as a standalone "movie" experience was lame. Outside of flipping through it to see the great Brando scenes it's impossible to sit through at any one time as a standalone movie -- because it really isn't, and shouldn't have been sold that way either IMO.
Reply
post #15 of 34
3/25/09 at 2:31pm

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

the overseas dvd of superman 2. it included both theatre and donner cut. the special edition with 3 disc set.

Jacob
Reply
post #16 of 34
3/25/09 at 10:57pm

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

I do not like the Superman II version that is out right now. It's not the one I grew up loving and I have been waiting and waiting for the theatrical version. Seems like Warner doesnt care from their answer.
Reply
post #17 of 34
3/26/09 at 1:30am

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave H
The BD has far better, more natural color rendition than the 06 DVD. If you A/B, the difference stands out quite noticeably. In addition, the typical improvements of BD exist such as greater detail, resolution, being able to see actual film grain instead of DVD compression grain, etc.
Good to know, thanks. One day i'll get S1, S2 and SR on Blu so.
Reply
post #18 of 34
3/26/09 at 3:14am

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

I would bet that within 12 years, the technology will exist to efficently and economically make convincing digital stand ins of all the principals- at the very least for use in long shots- which would allow them to finally do a Metropolis smack down justice (with some well thought out and creative editing and newly shot crowd scenes). Unfortunately, there is so much else that always was and always will be conceptually silly and far beneath the quality of the first film.
Reply
post #19 of 34
3/26/09 at 4:29am

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheBat
maybe the question should have been? what about the theatre version of superman the movie and superman 2 on bluray?

Jacob
I agree, after reading the chat, the question posed wasn't specific enough. In fact the first time I read the question, my first thought was: the Blus are already out there.

I agree we need to see the theatrical versions on Blu.
Reply
post #20 of 34
3/26/09 at 8:43am

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike_Richardson
I also want the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II in BD (along with the other sequels and the theatrical cut of I). The "Donner Version" should've been a supplement on a DVD package containing the original version, I realize they did the "best they could" with the footage that was there, but trying to sell that as a standalone "movie" experience was lame. Outside of flipping through it to see the great Brando scenes it's impossible to sit through at any one time as a standalone movie -- because it really isn't, and shouldn't have been sold that way either IMO.

I agree. I think of that film as a curiosity, nothing more. It's just a hodgepodge of unmatchable footage, really. Historically interesting, but I'd not want to sit through it again.
Reply
post #21 of 34
3/26/09 at 8:52am

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

I think it is safe to say that there will be no further Superman releases on BD until the franchise is relaunched, rebooted, or rewhatevered.
Reply
post #22 of 34
3/26/09 at 1:05pm

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

Both versions of "Superman-The Movie" & "Superman II" in a deluxe BD box set with all the extras would be my choice for a Warner cross-promotion with the next theatrical movie in 2010!
Reply
post #23 of 34
3/26/09 at 3:00pm

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

I think it's really doubtful a new film will be released next year. There hasn't been any information about it. In fact, it's not even sure if it will be a sequel to Bryan Singer's Superman Returns, or a reboot Superman.
Reply
post #24 of 34
3/26/09 at 3:26pm

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

Yeah, as far as I know, there isn't gonna be a new Superman film for awhile, at least not next year. Last I heard, WB is going back and rebooting the franchise, ala Batman.

Did we ever find out why a deluxe Superman box set wasn't released on HD-DVD/Blu-ray? There were plans initially to do it, but it only ended up happening on DVD only.
Reply
post #25 of 34
3/26/09 at 3:29pm

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

I have S:TM, SII: the Donner cut and SR on HD DVD, and see no reason to double dip to BD, since the same encodes for video were used. I don't see the point of Warner going to the well again until the next Superman film comes out.
Reply
post #26 of 34
3/26/09 at 4:22pm

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

The only two versions of Superman & Superman 2 that I own are on HD-DVD. I have sene the big Superman tin that they release awhile back on SD-DVD. And I would have to say that I feel that video transfer on HD-DVD is noticable better that then 06' SD-DVD. I would very much like to see a new transfer for Bluray and lossless audio, especially since the HD-DVD only provided a Dolby Digital Plus track. I would very much like to see a Dolby True HD track on Bluray in the near future.

Also what is going on with WB not releasing Superman 3 & 4? Granted they may not be the strongest films out of the 4 but why not make them available? WB did the same thing with Lethal Weapon by only releasing the first two and then not releasing 3 & 4.

Hey WB whats the deal ????
Reply
post #27 of 34
4/26/09 at 7:46pm

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

Will the original track from SM: The Movie be included this time?
Reply
post #28 of 34
4/27/09 at 1:32pm

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe_G
Yeah, as far as I know, there isn't gonna be a new Superman film for awhile, at least not next year. Last I heard, WB is going back and rebooting the franchise, ala Batman.

So they're rebooting a reboot?

[BTW "rebooting" and "reimagining" have become the most over-used cinematic terms of the new century (and I know, I'm guilty as charged too! ]

It doesn't sound like a new SUPERMAN is coming for quite likely years to come. I would hope it doesn't take WB that long to bring us the original movies like II and I's theatrical cut on BD.
Reply
post #29 of 34
4/27/09 at 2:41pm

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

Apparently Warner hasn't decided yet if they do a sequel to 'Returns' or indeed a reboot of the franchise. While I think a reboot is better ('Returns' wasn't well received) Singer promised an action loaded sequel to his film. Of course you could argue that since 'Returns' was a sequel as well he could've put more action into the thing in the first place, but never mind that. But a fresh new start might be better, as long as they don't use Luthor again.
Reply
post #30 of 34
4/27/09 at 8:21pm

Re: Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Borst
Apparently Warner hasn't decided yet if they do a sequel to 'Returns' or indeed a reboot of the franchise. While I think a reboot is better ('Returns' wasn't well received) Singer promised an action loaded sequel to his film. Of course you could argue that since 'Returns' was a sequel as well he could've put more action into the thing in the first place, but never mind that. But a fresh new start might be better, as long as they don't use Luthor again.
Well, considering Superman Returns had a production budget of 300 million dollars you can't blame the film for breaking even.

They could have crafted a film that equals it for half the cost, and the studio would have been plenty satisfied with the profits.

I enjoyed Superman Returns when I watched it in the theater. But if someone gave me $20 if I'd watch it again, I'd probably turn down the offer. Absolutely zero rewatchability for me.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Blu-ray
Home Theater Forum › Home Theater Forum › Blu-ray, DVD, Streaming Video and Digital Downloads › Blu-ray › Superman The Movie / Superman II (Theatrical) on BD