Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006)

DVD

"The construction goes beyond any architectural theory."

-Lex Luthor, on the Fortress of Solitude (from simply looking around)

Thanks to Warner Bros. producer Michael Thau and the internet (exclusively the sites Capedwonder.com, Supermancinema.co.uk, and TheForbidden-Zone.com), we now have an alternate version of Superman II, unarguably the best of the Superman film series, and still the best comic book film to date in lots of people's opinions. The informative website Wikipedia elaborates on the story to get this project up-and-rolling (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_II:_The_Richard_Donner_Cut), and also details the rich history of the film. The theatrical release of II, directed by Richard Lester, who took over the film after the Salkinds' falling-out with Richard Donner (the original Superman director), is a more comedic, rushed, and non-canonical film, filling the needs of the Warner Bros. studio, who were by then becoming more involved and controlling creativity over their projects.

As the first Superman film and its sequel were filmed consecutively, original director Richard Donner had photographed about 80% of the film, when he was asked to stop filming footage for the second and concentrate on the first, in an attempt by the studio to control budget spending and reach the desired release date (which they had already postponed in 1977). He did so, and when the first film proved successful and it was time to finish the sequel, issues with Marlon Brando (wanting an alleged 11.75% of box office revenue) and the studio wanting to take over creative control from Donner resulted in the omitting of any Jor-El scenes, as well as Warner Bros. hiring replacement director Richard Lester to complete the unfinished film. Gene Hackman declined to return for any reshoots by Lester, which cut down the number of scenes in which he appears. The Salkinds also rewrote the Tom Mankiewicz script, leading to a very different film than originally intended. However, after the release of Superman: The Movie on DVD in the 2000s, fans on the Internet continually wrote Warner Brothers asking that the Donner version of II be reassembled and released. There was a lot of legal wrangling in getting the rights to Marlon Brando's Jor-El performance for use in Bryan Singer's Superman Returns, and upon winning those rights back, Warner decided to hire Michael Thau to reassemble the film for a DVD release. Thau was able to secure the participation of Donner, and in late 2006, Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut was released.

The film in itself is dedicated to Christopher Reeve, who if it wasn't for him, the entire series would not have been as successful. The picture starts out with restored footage of Marlon Brando as Jor-El, one of the greatest scientists of Krypton, banishing the triple threat of General Zod, Ursa, and Non inside the Phantom Zone, as we saw in the first flick. The threat of Zod on Krypton is never revealed in the movies, but from what I have gathered he was a military General who attempted to take control, and discredit Jor-El in the process. As Krypton's red sun explodes, taking the planet (and potentially the entire solar system) with it, Kal-El's spacecraft is seen speeding past the trapped Phantom Zone villains. This part really makes no sense to me, as, being a Superman fan, I thought that the Phantom Zone was an alternate dimension, not some physical mirror floating through space ... ??

The beginning titles are in the same fashion as the original Superman, with the blue lettering font instead of the white Lester versions. The score from Superman I by John Williams is also reprised here, taken directly from 1978. These little details really add to the overall feeling that ties it in with the first movie, as compared to the breakaway campiness of Lester's film. Also gone is the beginning intro of the Paris Eiffel Tower terrorist scene, as well as the Orange Juice-gag (although references are made to it), Supes throwing his S-shield, the Clark/Lois memory-wipe kiss, and most of the comedic scenes, which lead to a more serious, passionate take on the Superman mythology. Richard Donner was known in this series as the passionate Superman director, he took inspiration from the comics, as well as his creative consultant/screenwriter Tom Mandiewicz, unlike later films, including Superman Returns.

As just mentioned, there are lines that reflect the nonexistent OJ gag (where Clark originally gets his hand stuck in the blender), like for instance, a scene in Niagra Falls where Clark runs off to get hot dogs and OJ for Lois and replies to her, "Freshly squeezed, I know." Also there is a scene later in the Fortress of Solitude where Superman pops a bottle of champagne and says, "I thought we might abandon the orange juice for once." These scenes might have made more sense if the original scene were there. There are more attempts made by Lois to prove to herself that Clark really is Superman, as seen from the start of the film, and an added screen test amidst the Niagra Falls scenes, which replaces nonexistant footage. Also different in this version is the continuity error where Kal-El and Lois make love before he attempts to become mortal. In Bryan Singer's universe, this would make sense, as Superman still has his powers when he has sex with Lois (wouldn't that harm her?), and therefore she is able to get pregnant and bear a child with powers... (Not to go off on that issue. Maybe one day I shall review Singer's career mistake, Returns, and tell that story.) I don't know if this scene is present in the original (I will have to go buy all the DVDs), but when Lois wakes up, she walks out half-naked in Supes' costumed shirt covering her panties and sees Kal-El talking to his father about becoming mortal. Jor-El also acknowledges her presence by looking at her while Kal-El is in the crystal chamber.

Another continuity error that I noticed is the inclusion of city elements such as the World Trade Center's twin towers and Lady Liberty. Metropolis...or New York?? In the end scenes, Superman is depicted destroying his Fortress using his heat vision (implausible?), and rewinding and fast-forwarding Earth (making some people forget, some people not forgetting - see Rocky or Lex in Returns). The scene with Rocky also depicts another error - in the fashion that the location of the diner where Clark gets in a fight, is depicted as being in the North Pole, as Superman just lost his powers and Lois and Clark are looking for a place to eat way out there. Yet, in the very last scene, Clark ends up in the diner after leaving the Daily Planet and agreeing to make a "pizza run" for Lois?? As well, Rocky remembers Clark after Superman has just rewound Earth...? Huh??

Acting follows up the 1978 original movie, which is simply expanded upon here. As these two films were shot together, the acting is as good as it was in the first, with more emphasis on Margot Kidder's Lois Lane and Christopher Reeve. Directing goes hands-down to Richard Donner. And the visuals are great, not the best, but hey, this movie came out in 1980. There are some added effects to this version, however, but in the style of the effects of the 80's, as opposed to today's computer-generated images. They encompass a version that is ultimately better than its counterpart.

The special features are sparse, but buying a DVD like this, you can't expect much, as this is a "Director's Cut" of sorts. Buy the Richard Lester 2-Disc Special Edition of Superman II if you are looking for extras. Yet the ones that come with this version are great in their own right.

Introduction by Richard Donner
This is an almost-2:00 intro by Donner thanking the fans, explaining the tedious process of restoring the film to its original vision and expanding upon his take of the sequel's story.

Commentary by Director Richard Donner and Creative Consultant Tom Mankiewicz
A very enlightening commentary. These two guys are the sole responsible for the story of this film, and are the two who would shed the most input. Donner especially elaborates specifically on the details of the series, explaining the issues with the studio, Brando, and how the sequels would have followed - with Tom directing the third and Donner coming back for the fourth. The studio obviously didn't recognize the passion for original, true-to-the-source visions like most do now (okay, not all, but some).

Superman II: Restoring the Vision Featurette
The mammer-jammer of this DVD's special features, "Restoring the Vision" explains everything having to do with creating this version of part 2, Donner's involvement, and anything else a Superman II fan could ask for.

Deleted Scenes
6 restored scenes from the vaults.

A nostalgic film epic, Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut exceeds where the theatrical Superman II does not. It feels like a more complete film, and a true companion piece to Superman: The Movie. Not as campy or comedic, Richard Donner displays deeper meaning to the mythology and brings a passion from the comic books not seen until its predecessor in 1978, as compared to Richard Lester, who rushed to finish another director's film and destroyed the series with the next installment. Recommended for Superman fans is the Superman 2006 4-Disc Special Edition (reissue), Supergirl [Director's Cut], "Superman: The Animated Series" Vols. 1-3, and Superman: Doomsday.

* The Superman series - an un-altering, ubiquitous continuity? I don't think so. However, that resembles the comic book's continuity as well.

+ Interested in the original Superman III script treatment written by Ilya Salkind, and featuring Supergirl and villains Brainiac and Mr. Mxyzptlk? Copy/paste this URL:

http://www.supermancinema.co.uk/superman3/general/script/s3_original_idea.pdf