Superman III
WARNER HOME VIDEO - 11320

STATS
Widescreen (2.35:1) Anamorphic, Color, CC, Dolby Surround 2.0, Languages: English, French, Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chapters: 39, Running Time: 125 mins., Rated PG, Price: $19.98

VISUAL
A splendid, transfer with excellent color and contrast. The image quality is such… defects hidden like film grain in multiple pass effects shots are made more noticeable. This is not a defect but rather offering the film in a sharper, clearer form than previously available. No emulsion blemishes: scratches or pock-marks. Terrific if viewed on a 16:9 monitor.

AUDIO
Because this is only a 2.0 Dolby Surround (MONO rear) mix the dynamics are limited to that format. Why the 6-track wasn’t used, as with SUPERMAN II, just solidifies WB’s lack of interest in the product, its fans, just plain cheapness. What is presented however is a good mix with an exceptionally wide Frontal spread – even better than the mix on SUPERMAN II. Unfortunately the Surrounds aren’t exploited much aside for two noticeable “fly overs”.



EXTRAS
Theatrical Trailer. (That’s All Folks!)


Disc



PRESENTATION
Again we the consumers are plagued by WB’s “snapper box”. The film’s original US theatrical ad is on the cover with Scene Selections printed inside. Too bad the forigen release ad wasn’t used. (It was of SUPERMAN flying into the cave confronting the super computer) On the back there are three, count them THREE pictures with a minimal amount of liner notes. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.



SIGHTS AND INSIGHTS
This third entry in the series was received by fans with mixed feelings. Though a finical, and even critical success, the film, at least for me, fell short from what was delivered twice previous. I remember having doubts upon first seeing the trailer and hearing “This time it’s for the fun of it!” But it was when I watched the film as two animated figures in a traffic light began to fight each other I was literally pulled back into my seat by my brother from walking out. Like a person with a bi-polar disorder the film is an odd mixture of slap-stick and deep character introspection. On the plus side the film has the look that is typically representative of its producers, big, lavish sets, multiple locations, and spectacle. But, unfortunately it is also is too representative of its director, with more than its share of needed humor. At the same time it trod material in ground breaking fashion. I believe, at the time, the ramifications of what would become computer “hacking” was not truly understood by the general public simply because, in comparison to today, most people aside through work didn’t deal with computers in their everyday lives. Indeed the “PC” didn’t really exist. Aside from WARGAMES this was still new territory. Lets face it SUPERMAN III presented a “Borg” before Captain Picard ever graced the helm of the Enterprise! On the downside the film does contain one of the most annoying Main Titles sequences ever put on film. I remember being in the theater and hearing the audience yelling, “FOCUS!” – referring to the blurry wake of the flying perspective titles. Richard Pryor may have been bankable at the time, but today is more of a name most may ask, “Who is this guy?” Again on the plus side the film contains the most character development since seen from the fist SUPERMAN feature. The top of the line “battle” between/within SUPERMAN and Clark Kent is pure cinema and worthy of the legend that is SUPERMAN. Having re-screened the film for this review a new acceptance has formed – for both its good points and bad. Nothing more than time can put things into perspective, and the understanding of what must be done to make a film marketable, and successful. It may not be a perfect film, but it still flies higher than ANY superhero film done outside the SUPERMAN series, even up to this time – mostly because it has heart.

REVIEW by Scott Michael Bosco©


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