'Superman: The Movie' -- High-Def Digest review

[PeterB]

Checked out 'Superman'

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/supermanthemovie.html

Exactly what I expected -- easily on par with the HD DVD, and a BD-50 to boot. Can't imagine any Superman fan being disappointed with this one...

[zzap64]

It is a shame Warner did not make use of the extra 20GB on the Blu-ray disc and include all the extras from the DVD edition.

I guess Warner, more a HD DVD supporter, does not want the Blu-ray disc to be superior.

I have a feeling though that the film will be re-released on both formats by Warner in the near future that contains all the extras of the 4 disc Superman - The Movie (Four-Disc Special Edition) that is coming out today.

[Tejstar]

Peter - I noticed in the review you mentioned that this was one of the first reviews you had used a PS3 for. Will this be the main player for BD films going forward rather than the Sammy?

[PEARLJAM IN HD]

THE best movie ever!!!!!!!

[blu-bird]

Both Superman and part two look pretty good.

Maybe they will do lossless audio in a reissue. This one of the few moives I would rebuy, with Lethal Weapon.

Wow not too many people posted on this.

Richard (Donner) is a good director and I would go to any (party) he had going on. It's too bad he had problems with making part two, just imagine how it would of turned out.

[dommie]

I have Superman coming as one of my free movies from my November purchase of my Panasonic DMP-B30. Should arrive any time now as it has been about 8 weeks since I sent in the order. Looking forward to it.

[blu-bird]

Both Superman and part two are clear improvemtns over the DVD versions.

I think any body who loves Superman will want the Blu-ray.

[Al T3D]

Well, i must be the only guy here to be totally disappointed with Superman on BD. Although I only watched up to young Clarke showing off and chasing trains, I was really shocked at the poor quality. The grain was often too much, the detail was not what I was hoping for, no where near. Oh, and when Krypton blows up, y'know. everything goes silent, long shot of Planets, and when it actually explodes you can see the actual effects stage it was being filmed on, the velvet curtain is clearly visible on the left of the explosion, and the floor is quite obvious too.

I truly do love this film and have done for 30 years, I couldn't wait to see it again in HD glory. I will watch the rest soon, to see if things get better.

[ZebraMajor]

Originally Posted by Al T3D

Oh, and when Krypton blows up, y'know. everything goes silent, long shot of Planets, and when it actually explodes you can see the actual effects stage it was being filmed on, the velvet curtain is clearly visible on the left of the explosion, and the floor is quite obvious too.

Some people would suggest this is proof of how good the HD transfer is. Production details are exposed in HD that would be otherwise hidden on a murky DVD transfer.

[Nicodimus22]

Originally Posted by Al T3D

I only watched up to young Clarke showing off and chasing trains...I truly do love this film and have done for 30 years

I don't get it. You say you love the film, yet you only watch 20 minutes or so before passing judgment on the transfer? Watch the whole thing and get back to us.

[Al T3D]

Originally Posted by Nicodimus22

I don't get it. You say you love the film, yet you only watch 20 minutes or so before passing judgment on the transfer? Watch the whole thing and get back to us.

Granted, maybe a bit hasty, such was my initial disappointment. As soon as I've watched it, I'll try and give my overall judgement.

I really do love the movie, but after reading the High-Def Digest review, my expectations were quite high.

[Al T3D]

Originally Posted by ZebraMajor

Some people would suggest this is proof of how good the HD transfer is. Production details are exposed in HD that would be otherwise hidden on a murky DVD transfer.

I'm a great fan of SPFX, and to see this was very charming, and didn't ruin any preconceptions I can assure you!!! Just thought I'd get it in there as I've never seen it before, a bit like when I first saw the reflections of the cobras on the 'invisible' glass screens in 'Raiders' well of souls...."ooh! did you see that?".
But that was on TV in the 80's, and not HD.....

Is everybody dead pleased with the Superman BD quality then? or am I the only one.........shit, there I go again and I've only seen 20 mins or so!!!!

[Jimbo976]

This one looks good for it's age. Sure it's nothing like newer movies as far as PQ but you can't really expect that.

[Scripture]

Originally Posted by Al T3D

I'm a great fan of SPFX, and to see this was very charming, and didn't ruin any preconceptions I can assure you!!! Just thought I'd get it in there as I've never seen it before, a bit like when I first saw the reflections of the cobras on the 'invisible' glass screens in 'Raiders' well of souls...."ooh! did you see that?".
But that was on TV in the 80's, and not HD.....

Is everybody dead pleased with the Superman BD quality then? or am I the only one.........shit, there I go again and I've only seen 20 mins or so!!!!

No, you're not alone, Al T3D. I really liked this movie growing up, but I found this transfer to be subpar and it ruined my enjoyment for the movie. Then again, it could just be that I've outgrown the movie. Saying that, I don't find that the case. There's a great many scenes in this film that are soft, muted, fuzzy, and colors were warped and bland in certain instances. I really do think that this is one film that shows it's age on the Blu-ray disc. There's certainly some nice spots in the movie as well, but overall, I can't agree with the review given here as far as the visuals are concerned. The contrast rarely pops, and there was few scenes that I found to be particularly sterling.

That's just me though, but I would imagine we're not alone in that sentiment.

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by Scripture

There's a great many scenes in this film that are soft, muted, fuzzy, and colors were warped and bland in certain instances.

The movie has an intentionally diffuse photographic style. It was shot with a lot of fog filter and similar effects. Back in the '70s, people thought that was really cool. It also helped to mask the wires and seams around the special effects.