Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut Redux

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!!

Quality as good as can be expected, a couple of edits (audio and video) stood out a little but none majorly so.

A very accomplished edit, definitely an improvement on either of the two main official versions. However I am not entirely sure if mixing certain elements of the Lester and Donner cuts, mainly the story of Lois realising Clark is Superman, work too well. In the mentioned case, she seems to forget her initial discovery (between her doodling on the newspaper and the two of them chatting at Niagara Falls before the boys is rescued) and decides to test him with the blank bullets after he seemingly proved his lack of powers during the river scene.

As for improvements, the ending is probably the most visible, am frankly surprised that this was not considered in 2006! Turning back time in STM is iconic to me, but just felt lazy when done again in the Donner Cut, as if that is how Superman can always solve a problem whereas here it felt like the villains escape could be a consequence of that "fix".

Looking forward to seeing other Superman II edits, not the least Booshman's upcoming new cut!