Perhaps the most significant and exceptional "Director’s Cut" ever released.  

In a time where Special Edition DVDs are a dime a dozen; where the terms “Unrated” or “Director’s Cut” have come to mean little more than studio-driven marketing ploys to re-package a product to consumers; it would be easy enough to overlook a new cut of Superman II on DVD. After all, it’s being released on the same day as 2006’s Superman Returns and an overwhelming rollout of just about every conceivable Superman DVD by Warner Brothers. But those who fail to check out Superman II: The Donner Cut will be missing out on what is, in effect, a completely new Superman movie. In its new form it is, to add due weight, quite possibly the greatest superhero movie ever made.

Fans already know the forthcoming explanation, but I must educate the layman. As the story goes, director Richard Donner was hired by Warner Brothers’ in the late 70’s to direct Superman and Superman II back to back. Some scenes were shot together (such as most of the Daily Planet sequences) while others were left to be finished after the majority of the first Supeman was finished. When Donner was nearing the end of the second film, differences with the studio lead to Donner’s departure. A new director, Richard Lester, was brought in to finish up the film and to re-shoot many of the Donner sequences. The result was still a good film, but with noticeable uneven changes in tone throughout. Essentially, the scenes that feel more like the tone of Superman were directed by Donner. The scenes that feel more like Superman III (which Lester also haplessly directed) were directed by Lester.

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut is not just a few new scenes here and there. Almost every sequence in the movie is different in some way. Different takes are used of similar monologues. There are new action sequences. Marlon Brando returns as Jor-El for the scenes in the Fortress of Solitude. There are major, major key moments that have never been seen before. I can’t emphasize enough how different a movie this is. The original Superman II was good, but this new Donner Cut is fantastic.

Although it’s admittedly sad that he didn’t live to see its release in finished form, the biggest winner of this new cut is Christopher Reeve. His acting work here is quite possibly the best of his career. Reeve has long been considered the best Superman ever, but this new footage adds more justification to the case. Poor Brandon Routh, he just has no chance of ever living up to this level. Christopher Reeve just is Superman. For the first time we get to see the true footage of Superman interacting with Jor-El and confessing his love for Lois. The scene where he explains his need to feel like a normal human is so much more compelling and powerful now, as is the later scene when he confesses he made a mistake. The rest of Reeve’s performance is improved as well, with small tweeks and additions throughout, including the big “reveal” at Niagra Falls. This new cut actually uses rehearsal footage. Other than a mysteriously altering pair of spectacles, it works. It’s now a vastly improved scene.

The three villains, led by Terrence Stamp’s unforgettable portrayal as General Zod, are better in this cut as well. They have some additional moments that make them even more evil. I don’t want to reveal them, but fans will notice right away. Better than that, the explanation for their escape now connects to the first Superman and makes a whole lot more sense.

Both the opening and ending sequences are totally different now as well, bookending the films better and downplaying the cheese-factor of the original release. But no worry, not all the cheese is gone, such as Reeve’s memorable run-in with the trucker at the diner.

What’s most bizarre and revealing about this cut is the choice not to use so much of it in the original release. It’s almost as if Lester’s ego was too big to admit when his footage was just so inferior to Donner’s. Although, considering the debacle of Superman III, it’s clear that Lester just had a very different vision for this franchise.

Watching this film was a total shock and a complete pleasure. I went in expecting a somewhat different film, but I never expected this. I can only hope that this version is ultimately considered the definitive release of Superman II on DVD. The original version would be best destroyed at this point because I can’t imagine anyone thinking there’s any reason to ever watch it again after seeing this. Superman II: The Donner Cut is an even better film than Superman and ranks right up there with Batman Begins as the best superhero movie ever.

ReelzChannel Rating: 

What’s On the Disc

Richard Donner gives an introduction to the new cut. He talks about the outpouring of fan support to finally see this release come to fruition and about the great amount of work that went into this release.

There is commentary from Donner and his creative consultant Tom Mankiewicz throughout the film. Any fan will love hearing the two go through the film scene-by-scene and explaining all the changes they made and all the additions for this new release. It really is fascinating to hear all the dilligent work that went into seeing this through.

The documentary Superman II: Restoring the Vision goes through the footage and shows many of the difference. It also includes interviews from Donner, Mankiewicz and others about the revision.

Finally, we have deleted scenes. Yes, there is even more footage Donner shot that has never been seen. There is nothing truly significant here, but it’s interesting nevertheless.

Related ReelzChannel Superman Content:

• Superman II: The Donner Cut
• Superman
• Superman Returns