Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

When fans tried to create their own Richard Donner version of "Superman II" using footage from international versions, Warner Brothers took legal action but at the same time recognized the desire for such a version. This and other campaigns by fans resulted in this cut in which 83% of what you see was shot by Donner in 1977. I have seen the original "Superman II" as directed by Richard Lester but only once in its entirety. I am grateful for that because I don't have memories of the original version to bother me as I watch the 2006 version. My personal opinion is that while this sequel has drama just like its predecessor, it lacks the level of drama that the original "Superman" had. Then again, most sequels hardly ever live up to the first film. If Donner not been replaced back in 1980, the drama that I desire might have been there. I value "The Richard Donner Cut" over the 1980 version because I respect a filmmaker's hard work and vision. The producers of “Superman” unfairly treated Donner back in the late 70’s and now he has the chance to exhibit what he deserved to exhibit in the first place.

This new version is dedicated to Christopher Reeve and rightfully so. The special effects at the start of this film could have been a little better but I guess they were not trying to mimic the special editions of the "Star Wars" trilogy. The filmmakers wanted this director's cut to feel like it was made in 1980 as opposed to 2006. I like the new scene where Superman saves Lois without revealing himself. It is classy. Back in the 80's, some movies were making reference to the inevitable but peaceful end to the Cold War. "Rocky IV" is one example and "Superman II" is another. The men on the moon are both astronauts and cosmonauts. The new special effects with Jor-El and Lex Luthor in the Fortress of Solitude are well done and I love Gene Hackman's delivery of his lines as Jor-El introduces General Zod & his fellow Kryptonian criminals. While I like the line "Only one ride per customer", Niagara Falls is not that high and I feel that the boy would have realistically reached the bottom by the time Superman got there. They should have changed that in this new version. When Lois' original plan to expose Clark fails, she forgets her theory until Clark's glasses fog up at Niagara Falls. I really like Donner's way that Lois exposes Superman in the hotel room. At the start of the scene, Lois still suspects something and is manipulating Clark to exposes himself verbally by using the feelings he has for her. Clark tries to stick up for himself as Clark Kent but this is exactly what Lois wants. After the gun fires, it is Clark's change in posture that proves to her that he is Superman. Using a blank in the gun was not meant to fool Clark Kent but to fool Superman because Superman can't feel a bullet. The most amazing thing about this scene is that it was not originally shot for either "Superman" or "Superman II". It was a screen test that Donner shot of Reeve and Margot Kidder. A more amazing fact is that the shots for this scene that show just Reeve were filmed with a different actress who was testing for the role. You can tell by the change in Reeve's hair. The scene works so well that it is evidence of the great casting of these two iconic characters. Christopher Reeve has many great moments in this version such as when he confesses his love for Lois to his father by giving up his powers and when he returns to the Fortress of Solitude in search of forgiveness. When Clark learns of Zod, he regrets ignoring the advice of his father. Clark may have thought that giving up his powers for Lois was noble but he neglected his responsibilities, which was selfish. As the "Spider-Man" Trilogy would later teach: "With great power comes great responsibility". In the first film, Jor-El was a representation of God the Father and this is continued in this sequel. Jor-El leaves behind a way for Clark to get his powers back just as God will always be willing to welcome back any repentant soul. I love how Lex uses the door to Perry White's office instead of the hole that Non made. I also get a real kick out of the fact that even Lex is happy to see Superman. There seems to be some fun being had with product placement during the city battle. Superman is thrown into the cigarette trailer and he answers in kind by throwing Zod into the cola sign. The ads for two products that are bad for your health are destroyed and I guess I like that. I am really glad that for this version they got rid of Superman throwing that "S" at Non. The fact that the whole Fortress of Solitude glows red instead of just inside the crystal chamber should be an obvious clue as to what's happening but because of the direction of Donner, most of us are fooled. I was a child when I first saw this scene and I was fooled into thinking that Superman was once again giving up his powers for Lois. I feel this new version creates a plot hole with Lex. Was he in the Fortress of Solitude when Superman destroys it? Donner's version also includes the destruction of the crystals and therefore doesn't lead into "Superman Returns" as nicely as Richard Lester's version. This movie however is the version that was "originally conceived and intended" and Bryan Singer only had the Lester version to reference when making his reboot. I like how Superman pays for the damage in the cafe, which by the way is less damage than the bully Rocky caused the first time.

"Superman" and "Superman II" were shot at the same time but then because the release date was approaching, Donner was told to finish shooting the first film in order to finish it on time. During the filming of both movies, Donner was having trouble with the producers: Alexander and Ilya Salkind. The Salkinds wanted the films to be campier while Donner argued for verisimilitude and drama. If "Superman" had failed at the box office, the Salkinds would probably have forced Donner to finish "Superman II". Because the first film was such a hit, the Salkinds didn't need Donner anymore. There were other reasons for this falling out but this appears to be the main one. Superman turning back time isn't as powerful as it was in the first movie because the second time feels unoriginal. However, "Superman" was originally going to end differently and Superman's trick of turning back time was going to be saved for "Superman II". When Donner was told to focus on just completing "Superman" he decided to use the ending for "Superman II" as the ending for the first film. This is why in the Richard Donner Cut, Superman once again turns back time and I will say that it is better than the "magic kiss" Clark Kent gives Lois in the Lester version. The filmmakers also did what they did in 2006 because they felt that only Superman should kiss Lois. If you are curious, every time you see Gene Hackman in this movie, Richard Donner shot that scene. After Donner was fired, Hackman refused to return for reshoots because he supported Donner. I didn't realize that Richard Lester made "A Hard Day's Night" staring the Beatles back in the 60's but having discovered that, it makes sense why the campy-loving Salkinds hired him to replace Donner. Back in 1980, John Williams would have returned to compose for this film but he was busy with "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark". In 2006, Donner asked if he would compose a score for this new version but sadly Williams again declined this offer as he did with the offer from director Bryan Singer to score "Superman Returns" because he was busy.

I don't think that any version of "Superman II" is better than the first film because of how good the origin story was in the first film. I can say though that "Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut" is better than the original 1980 version. There is an attempt in the 2006 version to balance camp with drama and I value that.

3.5 Stars