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Superman II – The Richard Donner Cut

Ah, the film movie Geeks have talked about in hushed tones ever since the Richard Lester film hit the silver screens. Hidden, like so many bottled cities of Kandor, we believed the footage to be lost forever. However, some were true believers. Some who knew that the day would come when we would no longer need to look at a poorly generated animated GIF of General Zod firing a machine gun in the White House. We stood strong. We balked at those who felt were we imagining things. Bless the secondary format and the death of Marlon Brando, both of which have allowed the fabled Richard Donner cut of Superman II into my Geeky hands! Now, I do not intend to review the plot of Superman II, as any Geek knows the plot.

Hell, even a passing geek (notice the lower case there) should know the plot of Superman II. If not. Just leave. Seriously. Go. Not to be an elitist or anything, but, there is a line and that line is named General Zod! Anyway… The time has come for Geeks to finally gaze upon the glory that is Richard Donner’s Superman II… Now, before I continue, I feel I should warn folks. There are some very different changes and if you want to be surprised… Stop reading now… And, because I care about all my readers, even the annoying article skimmers…

First, some back story. Richard Donner was hired to direct both Superman: The Movie and Superman II. In order to save money on sets and locations, as well as allow for a back to back theatrical release. The Salkinds set a budget for two films, indeed, Mario Puzo’s script for Superman and Superman II is one large tome of a script. Sadly, like so many Hollywood projects, the Superman films were quickly growing grossly over-budget and short on time. As such, the Salkinds told Donner to “just finish the first damn movie” and they would wrap up the second one once the box office returns came in on the first.

Sadly, Donner and the Salkinds never really saw eye-to-eye when it came to these films. As such, Donner found himself without a job after the first film. Hired by the Salkinds, Richard Lester finished Superman II. (Lester shot all of Superman III and it shows). While many a film Geek considers Superman II the superior film, I never bought it. It just felt like Lester didn’t understand the material. Even though Lester came onboard with close to 80% of the film complete. Sadly, Lester didn’t simply take Donner’s material and run with it. Although, it is likely this was at the request of the Stalkinds, whom Lester was good friends with. So, many elements that didn’t make sense within the Superman mythos were tossed out and bizarre pop culture brought into the film. (Popular culture of the 1970s minds you). Lester’s version of Superman II hit the theaters, the film was a huge success and the rest, as they say, is history.

30 years later…

Okay, not quite 30 years, but, you get the point. Hitting the shelves on November 28, 2006, the Richard Donner cut of Superman II is the film I always knew was hidden somewhere within the original release. Mind you, this film is not perfect either. In addition, I do not feel either version of Superman II is superior to the first film, but the Donner cut comes damn close. As I warned there would be some spoilers, it is time to hit them…

Warning… Spoilers following in… three… two… one…

The whole idiot French terrorists blowing up Paris with an atomic bomb is gone. Instead, the Donner cut of Superman II begins exactly where the first film ends… The missile that Kal-El sends into the cosmos is the very weapon that frees General Zod and his minions from the Phantom Zone. Also, to those who wonder why Jor-El would send the Kryptonian criminals towards the same planet as his one and only son; that too is explained. He didn’t. Krypton’s explosion altered their course and the shockwaves may have weakened the prison allowing said nuclear missile to shatter the prison.

Lois Lane no longer jumps into the river in an attempt to prove Clark Kent is Superman. No, she proves that she is actually a reporter of some intelligence and simply figures it out with a Sharpie. To prove her theory, she jumps from the top floor of the Daily Planet building. Clark Kent, in a perfect comic book moment is able to save Lois while maintaining his own identity. When she finally does learn his secret, it is handled with a great character moment between Lois and Clark. (Although there are some serious hair continuity issues).

Much of the fighting within the small Texas town is gone and this is a good thing. We don’t need to see Ursa busting some guys arm in an arm wrestling contest. Simply showing General Zod standing amidst the rubble adds a greater menace to the planet. Speaking of which, the scene every good Geek knows of does indeed exist within the Donner cut of Superman II. General Zod with a machine gun! Yes, it sounds cheesy as hell, and taken out of context it is. General Zod isn’t using the gun because he needs to. Oh no, he is using it because of the sick humor it gives him to kill humans with their own “superior” firepower. Simply good stuff. Zod is mean, nasty, brilliant and ruthless. This is the villain we Geeks know and love.

The scenes between Superman and his father are wonderful. It always bothered me that Kal-El was so close to the memory of his father only to then talk to his hot mom in the Fortress of Solitude. I know that Brando wanted more cash, but it just didn’t feel right. Well, it is back and it is fantastic! Superman’s choice to become human has a greater emotional impact when his father, literally, scolds him for being selfish. Jor-El gives his son multiple chances to change his mind and continue to protect and inspire humanity. As we all know, Superman fails in that initial mission. When Clark learns of his terrible error, his prodigal return to his father is all the more poignant. Jor-El must give the last of his essence to return his one and only son to his rightful place as the savior and inspiration of humanity. Simply wonderful material. We Superman fans are better for it.

The final confrontation between Superman and the three Kryptonian criminals feels more powerful. Granted, modern effects technology was in its infancy at the time of filming. However, Donner did the best with what he had. Thankfully, the scene where Superman traps Non under a steel antenna is gone. Look, Non is dumber than a bag of rocks… But, come on! (Well, technically, it is still there, but the steel doesn’t hold him long…and the stupid exposition line is also gone).

The is one final major scene change to the Donner cut. A scene that, in my opinion, prevents Superman II from being the superior Superman film. No longer removing Lois’ knowledge with a magically creepy Kryptonian kiss, Superman once again flies around the planet and reverses time! What I would have given to not see that moment within the film. Just minutes before Superman and Lois have a powerful and poignant moment on her balcony. A moment that perfects mirrors their very first face to face meeting in the first film. It should have simply ended there… Superman flying off into the night. A love that can never be spoken of again. Alas, no, Donner has the Man of Steel once again fly around Earth. Reverse time… a lot! Going as far back as the opening credits of the film. This begs the question… Why didn’t the missile yet again free Ursa, Non and General Zod. In fact, the scene is so asinine that I will likely turn the movie off before the moment happens with each subsequent viewing.

The film transfer is decent. Considering that most of Superman II, the Richard Donner Cut is composed from lost and damaged footage. The picture isn’t as crisp as the new Superman box set; however, it is as good as the initial Superman II DVD release. The sound mix and music is a tad better, though nowhere near as good as the Superman: The Movie DVD. John Williams’s fans will be happy to know that his original score is back in its orchestral glory. The Richard Donner commentary is nicely done and informative (and nowhere near as bitchy as I would expect… Donner is a classy guy). There is also a wonderfully heartfelt opening from Richard Donner where he thanks the fans for allowing his vision to finally be seen by Superman fans. This opening does not feel, in any way, as a tacked on thought. Donner does seem genuinely touched that Superman fans pushed for cut of the film. (Of which they did, never doubt the power of true fandom).

This DVD is a worthy addition to any fan of Superman or film junkies. Rare is a director allowed to return to a work they were initially fired from.

I can’t give the Richard Donner cut of Superman II an honest rating. As a story, it still clocks in at 3.5 out of 5 Critical Hits. However, as an interesting piece of film history and an example of fandom victory…

The Richard Donner cut of Superman II must receive 5 out of 5 Critical Hits!

Fun stuff.