Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut Redux

One of the all time classic Superman 2 edits, this is the best of both worlds, Lester and Donner's best moments mashed together to form a coherent and consistent take on the definitive superhero movie sequel. I had a nostalgic blast watching Reeves, Kidder, Hackman and Stamp all take charge in their respective moments to captivate the viewer. The edits are sound, the audio mixing strong, the visual mixing sometimes is a bit of a see-saw, but when they work, they work.

I love the alternative ending too, audio mixing aside it ought to have been inserted to give the edit a more unique flavor.

If you can track this down, give it a go. This is a blueprint for how to develop a passion for fanediting and it sets the standard for what your project should aspire to be more like. If you can top this, you've got it made.

I saw Superman 2 when it was originally released and since I was 10 years old at the time I just loved it. It was not until years later that it didn't feel right to me. Why was the Father /Son aspect suddenly gone and replaced by his mother? I was not aware of the removal of the director until the commercially available release of the Donner Cut. So now we had two unsatisfying versions of a potentially great movie. The theatrical cut was not consistant with the first movie...and the Donner cut was plagued by bad CGI and a forced ending. I always knew that if someone was able to edit the 2 together that the movie would be almost perfect...certainly stronger than the 2 existing.

I was very excited about this version when I heard about it and by the time I became aware of the cut is was hard to find....luckily Booshman made it available again and I was able to experience it myself.

I will have to say it is just wonderful. I have some minor nitpicks but I believe they have to do with personal taste because I am sure that there are valid reasons to do it the way he did.

I suppose that there are no great solutions on how to handle the recap from STM in an effective way so it is overlong....and because there is no satisfying ending an editor either has to include the memory kiss (with a different office than has been establised earlier and a frailer looking Lois) or the silly turn back time ending, or do as Booshman has done and edit the Donner ending to appear as if the inconsolable Lois from the previous scene on the balcony has suddenly gotten it all together and is willing to play out the daily charade with Clark. Not any of them work. I suppose I would have preferred the "Super Kiss" version because although it is an absured super power (and how did he find out he could do that?) it is at least an ending that wraps it all up without turning back time again. Which seems callous that every time Superman has an issue he can just spin back the world and fix it. The ending used here makes Clark look like a jerk because he comes in with the same ol' bumbling having just seen the night before that Lois has a broken heart.

The added scenes while well done don't work for me either...especially Lex at the Fortress of Solitude. You mean to tell me that Superman's place of solace from his earthly worries is now acessible to the rest of the world including the police?

I have one last nitpick and that is the scene with Jor El when he is seeking to have his powers restored. It seems a lot of new cgi has been done to show Superman flying away after he is repowered. I don't know if that is necessary. First it looks worse than any of the phantom zone stuff in the Donner Cut...and also I think it is much more powerful to not show what happens ...so it adds excitement to him flying into Metropolis to confront the villians "Would you care to step outside?" I would have left the Donner version in tact or cut to the Daily Planet after the flash so we don't know what has happened.

Like I said this is an extraordinary edit and clearly a lot of hard work has gone into it. I will use it as my Superman 2 of reference from now on.

Any quibbles that I have with it are minor...and for that matter I could get rid of with a snip of my own.

It is just really excellent work and very enjoyable.

Review by tylerdurden389 — October 4, 2010 @ 8:02 pm

This is, by far, one of, if not THE BEST fan cut of Superman 2. Booshman has gone above and beyond the call of duty as an editor, and really did an outstanding job of completing what should’ve been done back in 2006. Scenes now feel completed. Bad jokes are removed. Continuity errors are gone. Also, the best feature is having the dual branching option. Don’t like skinny Reeve in the blank bullets scene? Choose the Pink Bear reveal. Don’t like rat Lois in the pink bear reveal scene? Go with the blank bullets. For anyone who feels overwhelmed with all the different fan edits of Superman 2 that have been made over the past few years in the wake of the Donner Cut, and not sure which one to pick, THIS IS THE ONE TO PICK!!!

Narrative: 8.5 out of 10. A few little things that bug me only because I’m completely anal about a lot of things, but will not deter anyone else from the viewing experience at all. Promise!!

Video: 10 out of 10. The Lester scenes are much cleaner, and the FOS color matches perfectly with the DC blue “hue”.

Audio: 9 out of 10. Some of the music transitions were a little quick for my tastes, but I don’t think anyone else will have a problem with it.

Overall rating: 9.2 out of 10. Great job Booshman!!

This really brought the joy back to watching Superman. Thank you.

This edit was extraordinary! Most of all, I love the ending. Frankly, it's a miracle that booshman was able to craft a satisfying ending to Superman II - through the use of editing no less! I also appreciate that the blank bullets scene is left in (to heck with continuity!) and how the rocket scene from the end of SM1 is use to connect to SM2's story in this edit. This edit, more than any other I've seen, really shows the possibilities of fan edits to improve and transform the existing material into something even greater. Thanks booshman - highly recommended!