Description

Golden Globe-winner Scott Bakula gives a bravura performance as a has-been actor who gets a second chance to turn his life and career around after he assumes a new identity and auditions for the role he was born to play--himself--in a TV movie based on his life. ... Read more

Description

From the producers of The Emmy(R) award winning Batman: The Animated Series comes an all-new feature-length animated adventure starring the world's most celebrated superhero: Superman:The Last Son Of Krypton! Year: 1996Director: Curt Geda, Scott Jeralds, Dan Riba, Bruce TimmStarring:Tim Daly, Dana Delany, Clancy Brown, Malcolm McDowell ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Lightning CAN Strike Twice
Bruce Timm and Paul Dini prove that lightning can strike twice when they switched creative gears from the dark streets of Gotham City to the bright lights, big city look of Metropolis. This animated epic begins on Krypton but quickly travels to Earth, with the arrival of baby Kalel to the Kents. Eventually, Clark Kent's trials lead him to Metropolis, where a rival/love interest named Lois Lane fights for headlines while a greedy businessman named Lex Luther fights for control of the planet! Outstanding family entertainment about the man of steel! A must for any serious Super-fan!

It's 3 episodes, not a movie
Superman: The Last Son of Krypton is the first three episodes of the acclaimed animated series that ran on KidsWB! in the late 90's. As became par for the WB marketing department, rather than give fans fresh Superman material, they were content to edit and repackage episodes together into "movies". The resulting video is worth your attention and collection, but it's not a movie, and it's nowhere near the best that the series had to offer.

Superman: LSK was produced by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, and the many talented people that created Batman: The Animated Series, and later, Batman Beyond and Justice League. While the group has had no problems with Batman, they never quite got the hang of Superman, and it's evident in these episodes. Like Richard Donner's 1978 Superman movie, the origin of Superman is told in three distinct parts: Starting on Krypton, we learn of the planet's demise and follow scientist Jor-El as he rockets his son to Earth. We see Clark grow up in Smallville and learn of his heritage, then we move on to Metropolis and the introduction of Lois Lane, the Daily Planet, and Lex Luthor. The scenes on Krypton are the best part of the "movie". In a wise move, the villain Brainiac is re-imagined as Krypton's supercomputer, and lets everyone die so it can save itself.

Kal-El is rocketed to Earth, and the "movie" starts going downhill. Too little time is spent on Clark finding out about his powers in Smallville. I would've liked to see more of Lana Lang, and more of Clark gradually accepting that he's different. The story skips by these important scenes too quickly as it moves us to Metropolis. Lex Luthor has designed a prototype battle suit that is appearantly stolen by terrorist John Corben. Too much time is spent on this plot thread, and at times it overwealms Superman's introduction to the citizens of Metropolis. I would've liked to see more of a shock among the bad guys when they find out they're being chased by a flying man, Superman's interview with Lois, and the scene of Superman finding acceptance after his final victory is too short. The fight sequences go on a tad too long, and Superman is knocked about repeatedly until he suddenly cuts loose and finishes the fights in a matter of seconds. Worst of all, the "movie" ends with the foreshadowing of the return of Brainiac. Nothing wrong with that, but it only makes sense in the context of the entire series. Fans who haven't seen the other episodes will be left hanging.

Despite all this, there are also many positives. All the characterization is dead on, from eager Jimmy Olsen to hardened Perry White, Lana Lang, Jor-El, and especially the three big stars, Clark, Luthor, and Lois. While actors Tim Daly and Clancy Brown are still struggling with their voices here, they find themselves by the third episode's end, and give great performances.

For those wanting to watch a "movie", try the "Batman-Superman Movie". It's the only other three episodes of the Superman series released, but its story is more self-contained and more enjoyable. Superman: The Last Son of Krypton is not the best introduction the character could've recieved, but it's still an important part of the series, and essential viewing.

A Legend Reborn
From the creators of the popular "Batman: The Animated Series", the legendary Man of Steel returns in the promising animated adventure "Superman: The Last Son of Krypton". The young survivor of the doomed Planet Krypton grows to manhood on Earth with extraordinary abilities. Moving to Metropolis, the kind-hearted alien visitor arouses the interest of rival star journalist Lois Lane and ruthless industrialist Lex Luthor. This latest adaptation of the classic super hero is certainly the most faithful and well-produced series in recent decades. It features a simple well paced storyline, interesting characters, engrossing comic book action and a rich music score. The animation is brighter and more colorful than the dark gothic style used in "Batman: TAS". The voice cast includes Tim Daly, Dana Delany, Clancy Brown and Malcolm McDowell.

For under $15, "Superman: The Last Son of Krypton" is a good bargain DVD. This animated feature is presented in its original full screen format. The DVD contains a simple but well done video transfer with some bits of dust and grain, and a good 2.0 Dolby Digital sound. Among supplemental extras, it includes "Portrait of a Hero" featurette, Character Bios with video clips and "Escape from Planet Krypton" game. In terms of presentation and extras, "Superman" is a worthy bargain purchase and receives a "B-".

Caped Wonder
Since The Man Of Steel made his debut in the pages of Action Comics during the month of June, in the year 1938, his origin has been told and retold many times. Each time those in charge of crafting the well known story, putting a new spin on how the last son of Krypton became Earth's greatest protector against the forces of evil. Following the success of the Emmy Award winning Batman: The Animated Series, Bruce Timm and his fantastic team of collaborators, decided to launch Superman in 1996...in prime time, just as they did with the Caped Crusader.

The feature length "pilot" is animated in the same style as the Batman series, using sharp edges, ala'from the 1940s, giving the show a classic feel. Yet it still maintained a modern sensibility, with more adult storylines that kids could also enjoy.

The voice cast is a talented group, that helped bring very familiar characters to life, with much believability and authority. Playing Superman and his alter ego Clark Kent, Tim Daly (from the TV sit-com Wings), plays it straight. Dana Delany as Lois Lane, reminds me of the way Phylis Coates and Noel Neil played her in the classic 50's live action series. Character actor Clancy Brown voiced arch enemy Lex Luthor in a way that he made me forget the cheesy way the character came across in the now retro Superfriends incarnation. Anyone familiar with the way John Byrne retooled the mythology in 1988, will surely recognize his influences throughout, as well.

Essentially, The Last Son Of Kryton, is the first three episodes of the series, that aired as a 90 minute special, for its premiere. The DVD takes a look at the characters, with the feature called "Superman: Family, Friends & Foes". How To Draw Superman will give you a brieff look behind the scenes and "Escape From Planet Krypton" is a fairly easy game.

This release is recommended for any fan of the show. I do hope they decide to put the series in some type of DVD box sets at some point in the future

Excellent movie
This "movie" comprises the first three episodes of the superb Superman: The Animated Series. It is an excellent introduction to Superman, and one of the best of the first season. (...)If you're not a completist then don't buy this, because(...) there is a box set due out in the summer. I bought it for the sole purpose of having it in a movie format. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not so deep junk
About the Movie:
From the stacks of "you get what you pay for" comes this rather awful b-grade direct to video movie.

Deep Water sloshes through water parted 30 years ago by one of the classic adventure films of the late 20th century, Poseidon Adventure. Like Poseidon, it involves a cruiseliner that is hit by a tidal wave and capsizes. Like Poseidon, everyone dies except maybe 5 people. Like Poseidon, the only way to get out is to travel up to the lower hull to escape.

Deep water tries to be unique by adding guns and bad guys. There's no Gene Hackman yelling at God in this movie. Instead we have terrorists trying to kidnap an heir's daughter and a US Marine trying to stop them amidst rushing water, excruciatingly bad dialog, lousy sets and mediocre visual effects. We even have sharks swimming around in a kitchen in a place where there is no obvious way they could have gotten there. Oooo! How original.

This is clearly a rip off of a far better film. The film even recognizes it halfway through when one of the bad guys on the ship gets upset about the situation and announces, "We're living in the Poseidon Adventure . . . , and I for one intend to be in Ernest Borgnine's group when they pop the hull and haul his fat butt out."

At least they admitted it.

There really isn't very much redeeming about this film. Not even the performance by the late James Coburn could do anything to help it. Then again, since his entire part in the movie involved him sitting helplessly on a Navy Aircraft Carrier and fuming at politicians, I suppose it's not much of a surprise.

The only good thing about this movie is the opening theme. It's sort of catchy.

About the DVD:
This budget DVD release comes in a plastic hard case in fullscreen (pan+scan) with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. The video quality is decent.

Like many budget DVDs, it lists its interactive menus and inclusion of scene selections, subtitles and theatrical trailers as Bonus Features. Strange how they call them Bonus Features, when 99.9% of DVD releases have them.

Bottom line? Get the Poseidon Adventure instead. It's a far more entertaining and a far better movie than this halfhearted ripoff of it. 1 lonely star.

Deep Debt
My guess is they lost money on this one. Although James Coburn certainly turns in a good performance as the Captain of a Navy Aircraft Carrier, we don't see that much of him. Costas Mandylor tries hard as a macho Navy Seal but just can't carry the movie by himself. The rest of the perfomances are mediocre. It comes close to being a worthy film but doesn't quite make it. I think a good acting bad man like John Lithgow or Gary Oldman would have made it work, but the group of kidnappers aboard the cruise ship just don't have what it takes. ... Read more