Rent Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (1980)

The Man of Steel, Recut and Reframed - Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut review by griggs

It’s been years since I saw the Richard Lester version of Superman II, but this cut feels sharper, cleaner—less stitched together. Donner’s version has a steelier spine: the violence is punchier, the tone slightly darker, and the chemistry between crackles with more innuendo than I remember from watching the Lester version on Saturday afternoon TV.

The narrative flows with a newfound coherence, as if the film finally knows what it wants to be—a proper sequel rather than a patchwork of reshoots and slapstick. It's still a comic book film at heart, but one that treats its characters with a bit more weight. That said, can still spot the joins—screen test footage, tonal shifts, and the occasional rough edge remind you this is a reconstruction, not a finished work.

The ending, too, lands differently. No memory-wiping kiss here. Instead Superman turns back time—again—which might strain the logic but feels oddly right for this mythic world of capes and consequences. DOnner's cut may not be definitive for everyone, but it gives the film the gravity it always hinted at, and gives Reeve's Superman a little more birth beneath the smile.

A Different Version For Fans Only - Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut review by GI

There are a mixture of views as to which version of Superman II is the better, Richard Lester's or Richard Donner's. There is little doubt that Lester's version is much more polished and arguably coherent as it had the benefit of being the film the studio released theatrically. However Richard Donner, the sacked director, had a chance to put together his vision of the film and it does have it's merits although there is an inconsistency in the structure of some scenes, with some tending to drift on a little too long and others being rather hurried and sharply edited. I offer no preference because viewed today this is a DC world film that lacks the vital ingredient of darkness that came years later. These early Superman films are vey comic book in style with cartoon characters and a little too much overt comedy that weakens the film. Carrying on from the first film this has Superman (Christopher Reeve) giving up his powers so he can have a normal life with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) only to have the inconvenient arrival of three villains led by Zod (Terence Stamp) from Krypton who are intent on enslaving mankind. Of course he finds a way back to super status and battles the bad guys. Gene Hackman has a good time as Lex Luthor and Marlon Brando is always good to see even though he's mostly a special effect here. Despite the various bouts of silliness this is probably the best of the Reeve films. Viewed today though it all seems a little puerile in style and structure even though many rate Reeve as the best cinematic Superman.