Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

Two-dimensional villians, comic book story. The original film was fun but this and the other sequels were weak and got even weaker. This Donner director's cut was a way for the participants to milk a bit more money from the series. Donner had been fired from this film. This version is what he would have done, with the limitation that he was not able to shot anything new. There are no spectacular improvements. If you must choose between the original Superman II and this one, choose the Donner version. But you will not be buying a blockbuster either way.

cool!

Fun change from the original. The best would be the Brando scenes along with the theatrical version. Fun to see the extras.

Donner destroyed this movie, bad editing and 1st year college rate splicing. Transitions from one scene to another ruined the movie. Donner should be made to walk the plank for destroying a cult classic. He completely cut out important scenes like the Paris bombing and how the bomb once exploded in space freed the Super VIllians from the Phantom zone. I wish I coiuld get my money back! ;-(

Best version of this movie!!

This attempt at allowing us to see what the film was supposed to be should have been kept a secret. The real heroes are the ones who make the Superman movies what they are. The story is one thing, but to make it the flowing, fun, thrilling success that it is, takes talent. We see that this is true, because this attempt - the Richard Donner cut is a pathetic joke. Obviously this would have never made it to the big screen, because it is released as if it was put together by a high school kid in his basement head quarters. This movie was a waste of money and time. What this purchase did teach me, though, is that the movies we see in the theatre are true treasures. There is no substitute for talent.

This is a great peak into “what might have been” if Richard Donner hadn’t been fired and had been allowed to finish Superman II. He and Tom Mankiewicz had a great love for the characters and a knack for good movie making. Richard Lester (the director brought in to finish Donner’s work on Superman II) added all of the silliness that we see in the theatrical version of II. If you want a good summary of Donner’s work vs. Lester’s, compare Superman: The Movie (all Donner) with Superman III (all Lester). You then can see in the theatrical version of II that the good parts are mostly Donner, and the bad parts are mostly Lester. This new cut of II aims to give us a look at what Donner’s original vision of II was supposed to be. Because Donner couldn’t go back in time and reshoot scenes, some of Lester’s work is still present in this Donner cut, and some screen test footage was also used. Even then, this is great fun to watch. I think of it as one big deleted scenes extravaganza.

I love all the Christopher reeve supermans. The superman returns should not be in this bundle. It bombed. And it isn't part of this Reeves awesome acting. Other than that. 1-4. Awesome flicks. Chris RIP. I CANT BELIEVE YOUR GONE!

I much prefer this version rather than the idiotic Richard Lester version, HOWEVER, and here is where the SPOILER comes in, I hate the ending. To copy the ending of the first one is so LAME. If I remember correctly, Superman can’t manipulate time. God, Superman, listen to your father for crying out loud. You’re not The Flash. I wish the writers, or Richard Donner had come up with something better, but it beats that stupid kiss. Thank God they cut out those moronic flying S’s from his costume. So glad I own this movie. Love you Christopher Reeve. You will forever be my Superman.

You need to watch this film more as "supplemental material" viewing—because if you watch it to be a replacement to the theatrical release, you'll be very disappointed at two aspects of the ending. However, the establishing scene with Lois and Clark in the Daily Planet is probably the most satisfying new content, and portrays her as a more contemplative character, rather than someone with questionable personality choices. (Jimmy Olson gets more screen time too.) Marlon Brando's scenes are an interesting curiosity, and those who have seen the theatrical cut will know how his lines were redone for Kal-El's mother as a replacement. Finally, this version eliminates Lois's conspicuous smoking, though some product placement obviously couldn't be removed. Watch it as a historical filmmaking document, not as a reboot.