Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

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Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

PG

2006

1h 56m

Adventure

Sci-Fi

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2 Reviews

87%

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100+ Ratings

Kryptonian villain Gen. Zod (Terence Stamp) and his henchmen are accidentally freed from their outer-space imprisonment and threaten Earth with destruction, just as Superman (Christopher Reeve) decides to renounce his superpowers for his new love, Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). This alternate version of the film is based on footage shot by director Richard Donner before being replaced on the project, and it includes material not seen in the film's original 1980 release.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Loyalists overpraised this edition as superior -- that’s hardly accurate for a few reasons.

Rated: 3/4

May 13, 2023

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Given everything that happened, Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut restores Donner's vision and makes the best out of an otherwise terrible situation.

Rated: 4/5

May 9, 2023

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Adam P

A treat to be able to see this on the big screen along with the original.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/20/23

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Randal

so unlike the original. changed lines and scenes. Don't ruin a classic!!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

04/19/23

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Mike P

It's really hard to say which is better; this or the Lester version. I'm leaning towards this. Donner has the right feel and reverence for this stuff; where Lester turns it into slapstick too often. And keeping the Marlon Brando footage was brilliant; we need that connective tissue to part 1, to give the whole thing that epic sweep. In that sense, Donner wins. Here's what I don't like about the Donner version stuff. 1) The original story had not just one time travel incident but two; which is stupid 2). The movie ends with Clark beating up the bully at the diner; which is a very shallow finale. 3). Lois transitions too quickly from doing a gotcha on Clark; to swearing herself to secrecy for him; where Lester does this better. So it's almost a toss up. There isn't an OBVIOUS winner; because Lester actually surprises by doing a solid job. (Whereas he RUINED part 3, that was a catastrophe). Either way, though, both Part 2 versions are solid sequels.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/25

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Jelisije J

This is the definitive edition of Superman 2 that is near basic perfection and yes there r major differences with this film version compared to the original Superman 2.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/25/25

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Garrett B

Dinner’s cut of Superman 2 is simple yet brilliantly well done

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/22/25

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Brad S. R

An incomplete and therefore inherently imperfect representation of Richard Donner's original vision; nevertheless, it's still superior to the Superman II that audiences got in 1980 in almost every way.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/11/25

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Richard Donner

Director

Christopher Reeve

Clark Kent

Margot Kidder

Lois Lane

Gene Hackman

Lex Luthor

Ned Beatty

Otis

Jackie Cooper

Perry White

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Synopsis

Kryptonian villain Gen. Zod (Terence Stamp) and his henchmen are accidentally freed from their outer-space imprisonment and threaten Earth with destruction, just as Superman (Christopher Reeve) decides to renounce his superpowers for his new love, Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). This alternate version of the film is based on footage shot by director Richard Donner before being replaced on the project, and it includes material not seen in the film's original 1980 release.

Director: Richard Donner
Producer: Pierre Spengler, Michael Thau
Screenwriter: Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman
Production Co: Dovemead Films, Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Comics, DC Entertainment
Rating: PG (Some Language|Sequences of Action Violence|Brief Mild Sensuality)
Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 29, 2013
Runtime: 1h 56m

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