Superman: Son of Jor-El

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Superman: Son of Jor-El
Faneditor Name:
Original Movie Title:
Franchise:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1978 & 1980/2006
Original Running Time:
143/115
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
153
Time Cut:
105
Brief Synopsis:
This edit combines Superman The Movie and Superman II into a single narrative that strips out the distractions of Lex Luther’s land-grab and instead focuses on the relationship between Kal-El and his father Jor-El, and the challenges that Superman faces in accepting his duty and destiny. With an entirely new ending that does not rely on time travel or memory-wiping kisses, we finally have a Superman with an ending of consequence, where the events we invested our time watching, have meaning.
Intention:
The first half of Superman The Movie is epic and beautiful while sadly the second half spirals into camp. Lex Luthor, though brilliantly performed by Gene Hackman, is reduced to a comedic schemer with bumbling henchmen. Even worse the time-travel fixes-everything ending is clumsy, poorly executed and is really a WTF moment in movie cinema. Jor-El warns of dire consequences, yet Superman seems to get everything he wants without penalty.

Superman II had fulfilled the arc set-up by the first movie, but was butchered by Richard Lester and again was saddled with the slapstick of Lex Luthor bickering with Miss Teschmacher. Even the vastly superior Richard Donner Cut, while eliminating many horrible moments created by Lester, relied upon the Deus ex machina time-travel ending which results in the unsatisfying conclusion to everything that happened.

This edit strips out the entire Lex Luthor plot-line from the Superman The Movie portion and melds the two movies into a single narrative arc which has always been at the heart of the two movies from their inception. Relying on the restored Donner footage, this new story heavily focuses on the relationship between Jor-El and Kal-El. Kal-El struggles to find his place on Earth, and reconcile his personal needs and emotions with the expectations given to him by his father. But most importantly, this movie ends with our characters fulfilling their journey. No turning-back the clock, no memory-wipes. Fina

Other Sources:
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
Superman Returns
Special Thanks:
A very special thank you to DwightFrye78 who provided feedback on multiple versions of this edit. His feedback, support and enthusiasm for this project has been truly appreciated.
Release Information:
  • DVD
  • DVD
Special Features
Alternate Ending with introductory title cards, Trailer and ‘Brief Superman Movie History’ and ‘About this FanEdit’ featurettes
Cuts and Additions:
This edit is based on a work-print created by Jelio. The key to making this combination of both movies into a single and compelling story (that clocks in well under 3 hours) is in how Jor-El’s enemies are freed from the phantom zone. Rather than constructing elaborate subplots of Lex Luthor wanting land, or terrorists in France, Jelio conceived simply to have Superman hurl a malfunctioning missile into space. The solution is simple elegantly eliminates everything that happens after Lois’ date with Superman

With the major hurdle resolved Jelio inter-cut the relevant portions of Superman II into the transitioning section between I and II. Starting with a scene-for-scene reproduction of his work-print, I worked closely with Jelio creating several versions of this edit. Throughout the editing process we bounced ideas off each other as to the best ways to minimize or eliminate camp, strengthen characters, and overall, create a movie that best-suited both of our sensibilities regarding Superman. It was a truly collaborative effort in determining the best way to fit this puzzle together.

This edit primarily uses footage from
- Superman The Movie, the extended Donner version
- Superman II The Richard Donner Cut

But also uses brief footage from:
- Superman IV: Quest for Peace (missile footage)
- Superman Returns (Planet Krypton)

A Warning Before you download!
Lex Luthor is not introduced until just before the third act. This is an unavoidable narrative necessity because with the film available, he cannot be introduced earlier without derailing the story that this edit is intended to tell.
While this does not create any technical plot holes, it can rankle those who feel that story-wise, all vital characters must always be introduced early, and then nurtured throughout a movie. If that is you, or If you are looking for a movie with Lex throughout, there are many other excellent Superman edits out there.

Cut list:

This list is in no way comprehensive as many elements were moved around to make the flow as smooth as possible, but this represents the bulk of what happened. Unless noted otherwise, all footage is from the Donner versions of 1 and 2.

Starting with Superman The Movie

- Delete opening credits
- Swap out establishing shot of red sun and Krypton with Superman Returns establishing shot
- Slightly re-cut Destruction of Krypton/Kal-El’s escape to remove Jor-El and Lara’s running around, improve pacing and move baby Kal-El’s escape as far back as possible to be closer to the destruction of Krypton
- New title sequence inter-cut with Kal-El’s journey to Earth (no Jor-El voice-over).
- Delete’Lois Lane’ reference inside the train (how old she supposed to be?)
- Restored theatrical version of Martha Kent in the morning setting breakfast.
- Delete all Otis/Lex/Teschmacher footage.
- Trim Clark going to elevator to remove rudeness of his co-workers
- Trim helicopter accident to improve pacing
- Trim cops and robbers chase through Metropolis, scene picks up with Superman seeing shoot-out on the pier.
- Delete Air Force One sequence
- Delete cat rescue sequence
- Insert heavily modified sequence of Superman hurling a malfunctioning missile test into space and freeing the Kryptonians from the phantom zone (uses footage from STM as well as both Donner and Lester footage of S2)
- Cut to Superman in FOS from extended STM version.
- Cut to Perry Demanding interview with Lois, scene runs normal.
- Cut to mission control from S2
- Trim out all Kryptonians talking to Astronauts in space, run to Zod throwing Soviet into space
- Cut to Lois waiting for Superman from STM
- Trim flying sequence; no Statue of Liberty, no falling, no spoken-word ‘Can you read my mind?’, conclude with Lois leaving for date with Clark.
- Cut to S2 footage exterior of Daily Planet (this picks up after Donner version has Kryptonians freed)
- Brief insert of STM newspaper headline “Night I Spent with Superman” while we hear Perry compliment Lois on her article (real article is about Lex Luthor and Missiles but we don’t see it) continue into scene of Lois figuring out who Clark’s real identity.
- Delete stale joke of Clark saying Lois stepped outside.
- Cut to Zod driving toward Lunar Lander, runs through to static in Mission control
- Delete hair drier joke
- cut back to Moon, and Kryptonians discussing their new powers
- cut to establishing shot of honeymoon hideaway with audio of Clark knocking on door, run Donner version of Clark’s secrete discovered scene.
- Delete reference to other events that don’t exist in this edit
- Inter-cut romance story and Superman giving up his powers with Kryptonians wreaking havoc and taking the White House
- Cut to Diner scene, plays out
- Cut to Lex at White House. Trim some dialogue that is over-the-top from Lex. This scene establishes how Lex knows about Superman, he introduces himself as genius criminal, and that he’s the best there is.
- Cut to trimmed version of Clark traveling to the FOS
- Remove scene of him lying on the floor after Jor-El gives him his powers back, we get the bright white and that’s it.
- Cut to Daily Planet
- Trim the meeting inside Perry’s office once Zod arrives, eliminate flat jokes, improve pacing
- Insert Lester version of Superman arriving “Care to step outside?”
- Trimmed and slightly rearranged battle over Metropolis using both Donner and Lester Cut to remove Statue of Liberty.
- During Zod and co. flight to FOS, insert Lex saying “NORTH! NORTH!”
- In FOS, reduce Lex’s dialogue that establishes specific history between the two. He’s a known criminal and that is all we know.
- Delete Superman destroying the FOS
- Use rooftop as final scene, Lois delivers final line “There he goes kid. Up up and away.”
- Fade to black, transition to shot of Superman over Earth, cue John Williams.
Cover art by Rogue-theX (DOWNLOAD HERE)
Hero Cover with Disc Art #1: image

Hero Cover with Disc Art #2: image

Cosmic Cover with Disc Art #3: image

Cosmic Cover with Disc Art #4: image

Cover art by Eldiablosuizo (DOWNLOAD HERE)
image

Trailer

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Overall rating
 
9.1
Audio/Video Quality
 
9.4(14)
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9.1(11)
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8.5(10)
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8.9(25)
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9.0
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10.0
Very good edit. Includes the essential elements of Donner's two Superman movies and mostly feels cohesive.

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Yes
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Digital
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9.4
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9.0
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10.0
This is old, but I recently watched this and wanted to drop my thoughts. For years, I've felt like Superman (1978) was so close to being the perfect comic book movie. The first half and Reeve's performance are incredibly mythic. The camp really brings it down though. I always thought combining the beautiful Smallville sections with the more dramatic Superman II would be interesting. This edit does that and it's close to becoming my definitive Superman movie. By stripping most of the camp and focusing on the core character of Clark Kent, the editor really is able to create this character driven piece. The recurrent theme of Clark's humanity and destiny (presented to us in the form of Jor-El), coupled with the strong focus on the Lois relationship, makes this feel like one coherent movie. Importantly, it's never disrespectful to the source material. It's fun, but it's also mythic and powerful. That new ending scene is fantastic. I also liked the looming threat of Zod that was present throughout the movie. It's a really creative device that ties both movies together and adds momentum.

As some have mentioned, the big problem that really signals that this is actually made up of 2 longer movies is the sudden appearance of Lex. It does feel out of place. The structure is also a bit weird. As I said, adding these recurring scenes of Zod and Co. was a good way to break up the plain structure of the first two-thirds. Some scenes feel like they should be closer together though. I think the part on the moon feels pretty awkward as is. We see Zod on the moon. We go back to the A-plot for 30 minutes or so. We come back and they're still on the moon. That feeling of momentum is lost. I would also personally add in some extra scenes in those first 2 hours. Since the camp and all subplots have been stripped out of the Superman I and Superman II Niagara scenes, the movie gains a lot of dignity. Unfortunately, it also loses a bit of the "super." We have this core plot about Lois and Clark with nothing else until Zod arrives on Earth. It's nice, but the singular focus is a bit monotonous and it feels a little like we're watching a compilation of Clark/Lois scenes instead of a fully fledged movie. I think adding in some fat (the cut scenes from Superman I) would round it out a bit. This will also give the impression that some time has passed. Currently, it feels like the whole movie takes place in a week.

Aside from those points, this is a fantastic edit. I'll definitely rewatch it L8wrtr ever revisit it.

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8.8
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7.0
My standpoint coming in was this:
Superman The Movie- I always loved the film, except I hated the goofy portrayal of Luthor (see the animated Superman series for a faithful comic book adaptation of him) and I never saw the appeal of Margot Kidder. Narratively, however, it works great except for the ending.
Superman II- I've watched multiple DVD cuts, and all of them have good and bad bits. Zod is of course a compelling villain, but a lot of the powers used by those 3 and by Superman look goofy and cheesy as hell. The ending is a mess as well.

So a fan-edit would have to fix the above elements for me. While this one fixes the end of Superman The Movie, the wrap-up from Superman II still doesn't work for me, and the inclusions of some power usage are still problematic. It's an improvement over any other cut of Superman II I've seen, but if I HAVE to choose between watching this edit or just watching Superman The Movie and skipping Superman II, I'll take the latter.

Technically, this is very high quality. Lots of care and expertise put in. The edits are smooth and most cuts are inspired. The narrative KIND OF works, but there are some leaps in logic by characters, some of which were also problematic in the original films. The inclusion of early test footage between Clark and Lois was jarring for me and my friends when we watched it. Cutting back and forth between that and the footage filmed later was very apparent for us. Reeve just looked quite thinner and different in the earlier footage. Besides that, most edits fit pretty well.

Overall, worth a watch, but I'm still looking for some way to incorporate the good bits of Superman II. I'm not even sure if it's possible, tbh. That film is just a mess. Great effort here, though.

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I loved this fanedit. Definitely is the real Superman.

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Yes
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DVD
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Overall rating
 
9.2
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9.0
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10.0
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10.0
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8.0
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9.0
I really liked this fanedit. Definitely replaces Supes 1 and 2 for me.

Audio/Video Quality

It was good. Not crystal clear but considering the movies are movies from the late 70's and early 80's that's understandable.

Audio/Video Editing

Flawless in my opinion. Not one instance that a cut is noticable.

Narrative

Great except for one thing: How does Lex Luthor know Jor-El and The Fortress of Solitude? He hasn't been there yet. The newspaper? No, it never mentioned Jor-El. If we exclude that, the narrative amazingly works!

Enjoyment

Despite my Lex nitpick, I enjoyed this the whole time. It was so fun! No time-travel, no magic kiss, no stupid landgrabbing (even Superman Returns' landgrabbing made more sense!) and surprisingly the Superman Returns Krypton establishing shot worked perfectly!

Overall, I would definitely recommend this to the people who want a near perfect Superman movie!

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Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
DVD
Owner's reply March 12, 2014

Thank you for this awesome Review and I'm really glad that you enjoyed it overall.

There is no getting around the Lex issue, and it's one of the rare instances where as a faneditor I relied on implication to tie narrative ends. Because Lex is the 'greatest criminal mind' and clearly his reputation as a really bad guy based on everyone's reaction, I had to let Lex's brief explanation stand.. "How do you know all this?" "Because I'm Lex Luthor, (and I'm smart as hell.)

I've been toying with doing a HD re-edit of this and if I ever really do, I've toyed with creating two versions. One which keeps the original edit which is what Jelio and I worked out, and then one that tries to interweave Lex earlier. I have a few ideas on how I might be able to accomplish that without bringing in Otis and Miss Tessmacher, or at least without their buffoonery.

Anyhow, I'm glad that you enjoyed this in spite of the Lex Conundrum!

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