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 had this movie a long time ago, but my HDD crashed, but for a while i actually thought this was the original cut of the movie, i enjoyed it tremendously

Highly Recommended

This is the /definitive/ Superman II cut.

The theatrical version (ie. Lester Cut) of Superman II is good, but people take issue with the various inexplicably added on powers that Supes and Team Zod have, such as levitation-vision, teleportation, holo-projection, and memory-wiping kisses. Plus there's the complete of lack of Marlon Brando's Jor-El.

The Donner Cut, on the other hand, is so fixated on utilizing alternate shots, scenes and dialogue that there is little thought given to whether or not these bits from the Lester Cut are in fact better. For example, having a toilet flush sound in the Fortress of Solitude is just retarded.


I've also watched ADM's Hybrid Cut, and you know, it just doesn't feel quite right. ADM mixes the two versions together in what appears to be big chunks; you watch the Lester Cut for a while, then switch to Donner, then back to Lester for a bit.... What made me notice it most was during the depowering scene. ADM uses the Donner Cut during that whole scene, even though various shots from the Lester Cut are far better.


THIS fanedit, Booshman's Superman II Redux, is /fantastic/. I've always said that the key to making a wonderful fanedit is to make it appear as though it's not a fanedit at all, and Booshman accomplishes this beautifully with the quality of the video and audio, transitions/cuts, etc. It's just first rate. Again, I notice a major difference (in Booshman's favor) between Redux and ADM's Hybrid in how here, during the depowering scene, Superman says "Father (from Donner)... I love her" (from Lester), various visual shots from the Lester Cut are used with Donner's audio during the actual depowering, and Jor-El looks at a Lois who /isn't/ wearing a Superman-themed nightshirt (in Donner's Cut it is supposed to be part of his suit, but fails).

Also, the replacement of inexplicable powers with established ones are /very/ well done; the actual depowering includes various Lester Cut visuals; and the White House lawn fountains are no longer from an obvious still shot.

Further, there is the branching option of letting you decide if you prefer the pink bear scene or the intercut screen test (ie. do you prefer Superman subconsciously, yet purposefully revealing himself to Lois, or else Superman being outsmarted by Lois.) I prefer the former, which ADM's cut does not offer.

I could go on and on. This cut is just fantastic.


...oh yeah--Lois is allowed to remember everything. Because, you know, she isn't so annoyingly selfish that Supes has to kiss her memory goodbye; and we don't have to groan at the recycled used of the same reversing time bit as was done in Superman: The Movie.

I highly recommend this edit.

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