Superman II - The Richard Donner Cut Movie Review

After having defeated Lex Luthor, Kal-El faces a new challenge, as a trio of Kryptonian supervillains terrorise the United States. But can Superman defeat them?

Genre: Action / Drama / Fantasy

Director: Richard Donner

Cast: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Terence Stamp, Gene Hackman, Sarah Douglas, Jackie Cooper, Ned Beatty, Jack O’Halloran, Valerie Perrine & Marlon Brando.

Run Time: 116 min.

US Release: 28 November 2006 (DVD)

UK Release: 28 November 2006 (DVD)

German Release: 28 November 2006 (DVD)

Welcome back to my review series of Batman and Superman movies, which will culminate with my review of this year's release of Suicide Squad. Though Richard Lester’s version is the official sequel, I much prefer the reinstated Donner Cut, which was released in 2006. As such, I will review the director's cut, which is more in line with the 1978 adaptation of the Man of Steel. With much drama behind production curtains, the original director left, never able to finish his vision of the film. Twenty-six years later, we were treated with the release of Donner’s intended sequel, and I need to say, this is the definitive version to watch. 

— WARNING, THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS! —

Recapping the events of the first flick, Superman inadvertently sets a trio of Kryptonian criminals free, led by the malevolent General Zod, who was imprisoned inside the Phantom Zone, by Jor-El. Seeking power, over all else, the three Kryptonians manage to find their way to Earth. In the meantime, Lois Lane suspects Clark Kent of being Superman. She subjects him to several tests, but Clark uses his powers to keep his ruse alive.

Perry White sends the two to Niagara Falls to uncover a honeymoon scam by posing as newlyweds. Superman’s sudden appearance, saving someone, renews Lois' suspicions, finally tricking Clark into admitting who he is. He takes Lois to the Fortress, where the two spend the night together. Zod, together with Ursa and Non, invade the White House, taking control of the country. Clark decides to give up his powers to be with Lois, unaware of the alien invasion. Learning of Zod’s conquest, he returns to the Fortress to regain his powers.

Lex, escaping from prison, arrives at the White House to bargain with Zod. In exchange for governing Australia, he exposes Superman as Jor-El’s son, telling him where to find him. Drafting the last son of Krypton in a match over Metropolis, the Man of Steel leads them to the now powerless Fortress of Solitude, tricking them into giving up their powers, finally defeating them. 

The continuation of Superman saw some heavy behind-the-scenes tension between the director and producer Pierre Spangler, as well as the Salkinds. Halting production on Superman II to finish Superman: The Movie, Donner was then replaced by Richard Lester, after the release of the first superhero flick. Lester reshot much of the original footage to obtain directorial credit, including his staple goofy comedic tone. In 2006, after Superman Returns obtained the “Go” from the Brando estate to use his footage, Michael Thau used the opportunity to recreate Donner’s vision, with the director standing in as consultant.

The reason I believe this is to be the definitive version of the theatrical Superman II is easily explained. The Donner Cut maintains the serious tone established in its predecessor, diminishing a drastic change when watching back to back. It also creates a more grounded plus dramatic adaptation of Siegel’s character. It reinstates scenes that had been removed, fleshing out characters further. The stakes are high, as the villains are depicted as being far superior. At the same time, Clark is grappling with his humanity and love for Lois. Finally, deleted scenes with Marlon Brando as Jor-El are added again, returning the emotional core.

Christopher Reeve maintains the “Boy Scout” traits of Superman while growing in confidence as Clark. Depicting Kal-El’s emotional struggle perfectly, as he tries to decide between being the hero needed for planet Earth, or becoming fully human to be with the love of his life. In the end, he sacrifices his happiness for the greater good, fully manifesting as humanity's best hope. 

Terence Stamp was, at the time, a brilliant casting choice for General Zod. Delivering some of the most iconic lines in the film. The icy gravitas, piercing stare, lust for blood, and authoritarian voice make Stamp’s Zod feel terribly intimidating. Stamp delivers a performance, based on simmering rage, which he uses to fully explode in moments of anger. The director's cut further fleshes out the villain's motives, taking away some of the campiness from the Lester-directed theatrical cut. 

Margot Kidder is once again great as Lois Lane, further expanding her journalistic prowess and guts, as she starts suspecting Clark of being the Man of Steel. She further balances out the last son of Krypton, reflecting why his heart beats for the human race. In the end, Clark decides to erase her memories of the knowledge, not because he doesn’t trust her, but to protect her from harm. 

Gene Hackman returns as Lex Luthor, this time, though, as a secondary villain. Still believing to be the world’s smartest man, able to outsmart anyone, Luthor tries to suck up to Zod. Compared to Stamp, Hackmann delivers, as in the first part, a very comic-bookish delivery from the villain.  

Cinematographically, much of what I said about Superman is also true for its sequel. While effects can look dated by now, they were still groundbreaking for the 1980s. Given its re-editing, to reconstruct Donner’s vision, as well as the need to use some of Lester's footage to mend the gaps that have never been finished by the original director, it can feel rough and choppy at times. That said, the superior action segments and the reinstatement of Marlon Brando’s scenes are a highlight! It is, just like its predecessor, a beautiful movie to enjoy. 

Due to John Williams’ unavailability, as he was scoring Revenge of the Sith, previous unused cues from the first flick had been integrated into the film, as well as the main theme title theme, while maintaining a little of Ken Thorne’s score. 

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Verdict: While I don’t despise the Richard Lester-directed theatrical sequel, the vast changes made to Donner’s already filmed parts, the re-edits, re-shoots, plus the vast addition of silly, near slapstickish comedy. The gaping difference in atmosphere between the first blockbuster and the theatrical version further makes it a jarring experience. Finally, the knowledge of what happened behind the scenes simply leaves a bad taste when watching Lester's Superman II. As such, I have always considered the re-edited and re-assembled Donner’s Cut, the true sequel, since its release in 2006, and having held my first copy of it, in 2007. The tone suits its predecessor, the comedy has been greatly reduced, Marlond Brand’s scenes have been added back, giving the whole experience a familiarity, plus bigger emotional hooks. Technically, it might look a little rough, but it's nonetheless beautiful! Superman II - The Richard Donner Cut is slightly inferior to the first one, but still obtains an 8.0 out of 10

Do you agree with my analysis? Leave a comment below and let me know which version of Superman II you prefer. Thank you very much for reading.