The Death of "Superman Lives": What Happened?

[DisneyBlu]

I know this wasn't a professional documentary, but it was poorly made. It felt like something out of the 90s.

And Schnepp was very awkward and overbearing. From the beginning when he had the three screens behind him and he was setting up the movie, his hand motions and movements were just awkward.

He had this "interview" set up where he was in the frame talking to the guests (like on a talk show), but, again, it was awkward because he was sitting to the side, constantly nodding his head. I prefer the bits where the camera is on the guest as they talk (as is standard in most documentaries).

The documentary was very unfocused, messy, and wasn't as interesting as I thought it would be. It being so poorly made just amplified its issues. There were "dramatic reenactments" that were laughably bad. There was bad, annoying music over the people talking at almost all times. It was overlong and the bad editing contributed to that. Bad cameras, bad sound, bad editing, topped off with Schnepp's constantly, incessant head nodding, and it made for a bad experience.

PS: I can't stand Jon Peters. He's so full of shit when he says the "no flying, no costume" rules "never happened." I'll believe Kevin Smith over Jon Peters any day. And while I can't stand Peters, why leave that bit with the phone call in there? Is it supposed to show that Peters is a jackass? Anyone who is a fan of Superman or Batman or even anyone who saw "An Evening with Kevin Smith" where Smith tells his Jon Peters story knows that Peters is an ass. Why leave that bit in the film? Watching Schnepp chug water like he was in the middle of the Sierra was uncomfortable and awkward.

Peters is such a clown. "I've been in five hundred fights," "if you're a street fighter like I am." At least I got some chuckles out of a documentary that was, unfortunately, otherwise mostly boring. There were some parts that were intriguing and interesting, but overall I felt like it was a waste of time.

[punkguy03]

I really enjoyed this documentary. Although Peters is obviously very arrogant. As others have said, he talked about getting into fights.

Overall it's definitely recommend.

[RodChester]

I watched this last night and thought it was good. I was glad they were able to speak to all the main people involved except for Cage. The reenactment so were pretty horrible though. I'll pick up a copy of the blu if I can get it for $20 to $30 shipped.

[Drookur]

Interesting documentary. Schnepp's nonverbal interactions were distractingly awkward and I hope I'd never say "little internet trolls hiding behind their little mom's basement" if I ever get the chance to interview Tim Burton. It's always fun to see how the execs talk about films versus the tech/art guys. I can appreciate how passionate Burton and Cage were about this film.

As others have noted though, Peters is clearly not in tune with reality. He wanted Batman to say "I'm Batman, m**********r" because the kids in the audience would cheer? So edgy! Like a street fighter.

[Agent Bond]

Superman Lives > Man Of Steel

[Jay Mammoth]

Originally Posted by Agent Bond

Superman Lives > Man Of Steel

Lmao no.

[chris_sc77]

Originally Posted by Agent Bond

Superman Lives > Man Of Steel

By far. Saw this doc. yesterday on youTube and it was great. SUperman Lives would have been a very interesting Superman Movie at the very least. it would have without any doubt been better than the dreadful MOS.
The doc was really fun though.
Really like these movies about movies that could have been like the Alien 3 doc about the original concept, Lost Soul about Richard Stanleys Island of Dr Moraeu and of course Jodorowsky's Dune.

[Jay Mammoth]

Movie would have been awful, that's why it got cancelled. MOS was awesome.

[chip75]

Did they ever make a graphic-novel out of the script? I wouldn't mind a 'making of' book with concept art and script, that would be neat.

I would have loved to have seen Nic Cage as Clark Kent / Superman, it would have been nuts!

[The Valeyard]

Originally Posted by chris_sc77

By far. Saw this doc. yesterday on youTube and it was great. SUperman Lives would have been a very interesting Superman Movie at the very least. it would have without any doubt been better than the dreadful MOS.

[the13thman]

Originally Posted by DisneyBlu

I know this wasn't a professional documentary, but it was poorly made. It felt like something out of the 90s....why leave that bit with the phone call in there? Is it supposed to show that Peters is a jackass?...Why leave that bit in the film? Watching Schnepp chug water like he was in the middle of the Sierra was uncomfortable and awkward.

That bit really made me wince, any half-competent editor would have cut that out...

[GasmaskAvenger]

Originally Posted by Agent Bond

Superman Lives > Superman Returns

There. I fixed it.

Man of Steel was good (in spite of the lame Costner/tornado fight) and I really wish we got to see Nic Cage wearing all of those crazy costume variants.

[speedracex]

I just got a shipment notice today, I ordered the day it was released.

[Wernski]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

Please post hi-res pics of the outside and inside when you get it please.

I'd also like to see some shots of the Blu-ray menus.

I saw Valeyard already hit us up with some shots, but I figured I'd still post photos since mine just arrived today, especially since no one posted menu shots yet. The left side of the main menu screen is moving video behind the text which looks pretty good. I did a full review of the blu-ray, with proper screenshots and cover scan, talking about the extras and stuff, too, if you're interested. But bottom-line: I was pretty overall impressed and think it's worth having in your collection. The extras are beyond thorough.

[Kamdan]

Have any of the donators not received their discs yet? I got my digital copy, but the disc hasn't arrived in the mail yet. Makes me a bit aggravated, since my friends who bought the disc straight up have gotten theirs.

[rikraq]

I watched this today. I have to admit that as awful as some of the ideas for "Superman Lives" sounded, I would've been interested to see a Tim Burton/Nic Cage Superman movie.

The stuff they were talking about with the spidery tentacles attacking Superman sounds like what was in Man of Steel.

[Rinzler]

I've been interested in this film since a long time before it came out but I can't justify the cost of the BD + shipping. They really need to work to get the BD on Amazon or at least get the film available digitally for rent via EST (iTunes etc).

[CelestialAgent]

Would love to buy the Blu-Ray but the cost of importing it over to the UK would make it unaffordable.

[redrunner97]

I just saw this, wow. I never knew there was so much history behind this movie that never was. Really worth every dollar!

[Bodyslide]

Would like to see Kevin Smith write one of the upcoming Animated Superman movies with his original idea for Superman Lives....