Superman - The Last Son of Krypton [VHS]

This video is the compilation of the first three episodes of Superman: The Animated Series, which originally aired primetime on September 6, 1996.I love this movie because it's a Superman story told through a visual medium. As a fan of Superman and animation I can safely say this movie captures the true spirit of Superman. The movie is mostly action, but drama is incorporated throughout the story.The film deals with the destruction of Krypton, Clark Kent in high school, and Superman's first romps through Metropolis.If you don't have access to Kids'! WB to watch The New Batman/Superman Adventures, The Last Son of Krypton will give you a great taste of what you're missing.

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.

The story begins of a little boy named Kal-El who was sent to earth by his parents Jor-El and lara, from the doomed planet krypton.He then later on discovers that he's got great powers greater than any mortal man.He then travels to a City named Metropolis by the name Clark Kent,and he turns into Superman whenever it is needed.

I was quite pleased with the quality of this production. The animation is not nearly as refined as the work that may be found in those short cartoons produced by Max Fleisher; however, it is still light years beyond most of the cheap animation produced today.I was really pleased with the initial flight sequences and the way super speed was presented. Later on in the film, the flight scenes seem far less dramatic. Also, there are a few points where the art work simply seems crude. What this film may lack in graphics is more than made up by a very original and concise telling of Superman's origin.The origin story of Supeman, sole survivor from the doomed planet Krypton, has been told quite a number of times in both comics and film. This version expands greatly upon the original (and all too brief) origin story provided by Jerry Siegal and Joel Shuster. It also deviates dramatically from the retelling presented much later by John Byrne. In my opinion, this origin story is in many ways superior to Byrne's.Without giving too much away, Byrne presented Krypton as a planet populated by a race of cold, unemotional beings. The animated version presents the Kryptonians as being a far more human like race. While this may lack scientific credability, it certainly makes it easier for the viewer to feel sympathy for the plight of Jor-El who must send his son off to another world.Dini and company do decide to follow Byrne's lead and keep Clark Kent's adopted parents alive. This makes perfect sense to me. Superman is a very up beat character. Why impose gloom and doom on him? After all, he is not Bruce Wayne.Brainiac is given an entirely new origin story in this film. It is chilling. In fact, I hope that Warner Brothers will make the Braniac episodes available sometime in the future. His (or ITs) appearance here is all too brief.Fans of H.P. Lovecraft should pay close attention to the scene following the action in the ice cavern. There is a very brief allusion to _At the Mountains of Madness_.There is, of course, quite a bit of gunfire. This is to be expected in a film about a man who is bullet proof. It does not bother me, but it may concern some parents.Overall, it is a lot of fun. I think quite a number of adults will appreciate it as much if not more than their kids. Some of the humour is obviously directed at an older crowd. At one point Lois Lane gazes at a photographic image of Superman. She quips, "Nice 'S'."Regards and Best Wishes,Donald Eric Kesler