LOOK, UP IN THE SKY - THE AMAZING STORY OF SUPERMAN (2005)

Look, Up in the Sky - The Amazing Story of Superman (2005)

Actors: Forrest J Ackerman, Gilbert Adler, Anne Archer, Stephan Bender, Kate Bosworth
Directors: Kevin Burns

Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only)
Number of discs: 1
Run Time: 120 minutes

DVD Features:

Available Subtitles: French
Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)

Movie: * * * ½
Disc: * *

This new documentary on the 60-year history of the Superman character isn’t a cheap cynical attempt to cash in on the new Superman Returns movie; and being narrated by actor Kevin Spacey with Superman Returns and X-Men director Bryan Singer himself aboard as executive producer — how can it be? Instead it is an extensive, well-researched almost two-hours long look at Superman in all his incarnations throughout the years — from his origins as 1930s comic book to several TV and radio shows as well as animated shows right up to the several blockbusters movies and current Smallville show.

Even big-time comics geeks will learn something from the documentary since it features quite some little-seen footage, such as from one (thankfully unaired) show featuring Superman as a doggie puppet in a show aimed at very small children! Viewers are even treated to some unused rare costume and set designs for the several attempts at making another big screen Superman movie in the late-1990s. Sadly no mention is made of Nicolas Cage who almost got to play Superman himself, nor do we get to see other parties involved in those aborted projected such as Batman director Tim Burton or screenwriter Kevin Smith.

Providing the normal “talking heads” in documentaries such as this we have several big-time Superman fans such as KISS lead singer Gene Simmons and several people from the Superman “universe” itself such as actress Annette O’Toole who played Lana Lang in Superman III and Superman’s mom in Smallville.

Never dull, the material is presented in a fittingly colorful and vibrant way, often featuring manipulated comic book graphics. As a plus we also get to hear composer John Williams’ Superman theme song from the 1978 movie a lot. (This surely has to be one of the irritatingly catchiest tunes ever written!) When it’s all over you’ll be asking for more . . .

THE DISCS: Sadly no extras — thus no unused extra interview material for instance. Some trailers for Warners flicks such as Poseidon and Superman Returns itself.

WORTH IT? Yes.

RECOMMENDATION: Rent or buy it if you’re a Superman or comic book fan. If you’re not, then what’s wrong with you?