The Mona Lisa is probably the most famous and recognizable painting in the world created by Leonardo da Vinci. It is revered and hailed as a masterpiece. So, in a hypothetical fashion, what if it was revealed that some other artist did 85% of this painting and Da Vinci finished the rest? However, it’s da Vinci who gets the credit for the work. I hear the words “Sacré Bleu!” and “scandalous”. Thank goodness it’s only hypothetical (I don’t need conspiracy theorists knocking on my door).

But as hypothetical as that scenario may be, it wasn’t the case for Superman II. The theatrical film released in 1980 was credited to director Richard Lester. What most of the general public is not aware is how Richard Donner, the director of the first Superman movie, shot almost 80% of the second movie before the studios fired him. However, Lester used almost all of his footage and re-shot enough scenes for Lester to get full credit for the movie. This didn’t sit well with Donner and a lot of fans for many, many years.

Now, over 25 years later, thanks to the efforts of the fans and editor Michael Thau, with the blessings of Warner Bros., Richard Donner’s original vision is restored in Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut. Considering the effort to make this true to Donner’s vision using never-before-seen material, this is essentially a whole new film different from the theatrical release.


Restoring a Super Vision

The basic premise is still the same: three Kryptonian criminals escaped from the Phantom Zone and now wreck havoc on Earth. The execution, however, is drastically different and the inclusion of the missing scenes really enlightens the audience as to what is really supposed to be happening.

The first thing to keep in mind is how the first two films are supposed to be looked at as one movie. Think along the lines of Lord of the Rings. This really isn’t a sequel but the next part of a chapter to a bigger story. In a sense, it’s similar to the way old movie serials were done in the 1940s.

The opening of the movie has a quick recap as to how General Zod, Ursa and Non ended up in the Phantom Zone. Yes, this was included in the first movie but the cinematography and angles used are to emphasize more of Zod’s point of view. It also quickly shows how Superman stopped that first missile Luthor launched by throwing it into space. Why is this important? Because it was this missile that exploded in space and released the criminals from the Phantom Zone. I can see that confused expression on your face thinking “Wait, I thought they were released from the nuclear bomb attached to an elevator from the Eiffel Tower?” Not in the Donner cut.

Actually, that whole terrorist scene in Paris was a Richard Lester scenario, one that he needed to shoot in order to get credit for the film. Donner’s version has none of that. Instead, after the opening scene, it cuts to the Daily Planet newsroom as Lois Lane figures out Clark Kent is Superman. Donner throws it all out there and sucks the audience right into the film. Lois tries to prove it through extreme measures and almost gets killed in the process. Of course, Clark manages to protect his secret again… barely. But this replaces the Niagara Falls scene when Lois jumps into the water trying to prove that Clark is Superman.

The hotel room scene is also different and, surprisingly, it’s a scene Donner never really got to shoot. It’s the scene where Lois finally discovers Clark’s secret identity. I say Donner never really got to shoot this because these are taken from screen tests of both Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder that are spliced together. This part feels like a cut-and-paste job but keep in mind that Michael Thau could only work with the material that he had on hand. I’m sure Donner would have reshot this scene properly for the film if he had the chance. It’s disconcerting to watch because Reeve’s hairstyle and glasses change all the time. But here’s the kicker: the dialogue between Reeve and Kidder is fantastic. There is definitely great chemistry between these two. If this raw footage is that good, I wonder how the final shot would have turned out? And by the way, this revelation is so much better than the clumsy one Clark showcased when he tripped into the fireplace. This one shows how Lois really outsmarts Superman.

And the ending will look familiar. All I have to say is this: “As the world turns”. Yes, the same trick used in the first movie is used again. Originally, this was supposed to be the ending to Superman II. Remember, Donner was treating these two movies as one so this would have been the big payoff. But the executives liked the big special effects used for it and felt it better suited the first movie. I actually agree with that decision. Donner was going to figure out another ending for the second movie but was never given the opportunity. Given the choices—either using this or Lester’s ending— and if you were Donner, which one would you choose?


The Super Plot Hole Finally Revealed

Seeing all the never-before-seen material for the first time really is an eye-opener. The restored Marlon Brando scenes as Jor-El really heighten the experience and also add a sense of closure between father and son. It was a bonehead part of the executives to get rid of his scenes in the first place just because they didn’t want to pay Brando any money for the second movie. He was replaced with Susannah York who played Lara, Superman’s birth mother. After seeing all of Brando’s scenes, it is evident how vital it was to have him in this movie for a variety of reasons, the most of which explaining how Clark Kent managed to get back his superhuman abilities. That was a huge, gaping plot hole that was dutifully explained in this version, and it really is an emotional part of the story. It also ties in very nicely with Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns theme on fathers and sons.

The commentary by Richard Donner and scriptwriter Tom Mankiewicz is probably the true gem to this DVD. It is extremely evident in Donner’s voice how bitter he has felt after all these years, to the point that it’s even hard for him to address Richard Lester by his name. Considering that only 80% of the Donner footage was shot, the remaining 20% had to include scenes shot by Lester. I know this wasn’t what Donner wanted but there were scenes that needed to be added to make sense. Michael Thau wisely made a convincing case as to why it needed to be there, but was careful not to disrespect Donner in the process.

Even though this is a dream for the die-hard fans, this version of Superman II does not come without controversy. Those who have seen it feels that it was badly put together. I do agree that there were times that the editing and scene transactions were choppy in places, and aligning the music with the action was off at times. This is the biggest criticism to the movie, that it didn’t have that finished, polished feel. I don’t disagree with that at all because there were times I felt like I was watching an unfinished version. Others have said that it’s too serious and dark. This is where I will disagree. I thought Lester made it too campy for my tastes. Donner’s version brought the focus back to where it is supposed to be… on the story and the characters, not the slapstick comedy. If this seems harsh, just remember that this is the same Richard Lester who directed Superman III and we all know how that movie turned out.

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut is not perfect but it fits perfectly into the whole scheme of events started in the first movie. The continuity between these two films is much more cohesive in nature and serves to tell an entire story. Both versions of Superman II has its good and bad points, but if Donner’s version was actually finished back in 1980, then I don’t think there would have been any question that this would be the version everyone would be praising. And when I think about that, it makes me mad because Superman III and Superman IV would have been something other than the joke it is now.


Other Comic Book Movies
DC Comics
Batman (1943) || Batman (1989) || Batman Returns || Batman Forever || Batman & Robin || Batman Begins || Batman: Mask of the Phantasm || The Batman Superman Movie || Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker || Superman: The Movie || Superman II || Superman III || Superman IV: The Quest for Peace || Superman Returns || Superman: Brainiac Attacks

Marvel Comics
Daredevil || Fantastic Four (2005) || The Punisher (2004) || Spider-Man || Spider-Man 2 || Ultimate Avengers: The Movie || Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther || X-Men || X2: X-Men United || X-Men: The Last Stand

Independent Comic Books
Popeye

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12