Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

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Adam P A treat to be able to see this on the big screen along with the original. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/20/23 Full Review Randal so unlike the original. changed lines and scenes. Don't ruin a classic!! Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 04/19/23 Full Review Luis I A good sequel that builds effectively on the foundation laid by its predecessor. The continuity in world-building, production design, and tone immediately sets a familiar and immersive stage. Additionally, the film slightly improves upon its predecessor in areas like direction, writing, and acting; though I should note that I watched the Donner Cut and haven’t seen the original version. From my understanding, the Donner Cut is considered a better rendition. This installment does well to place our protagonist in situations with threats that truly challenge both his powers and worldview. However, it also inherits some of the same issues as the first film. The pacing felt rushed at key moments. Major decisions are made quickly, without allowing enough time to fully explore the circumstances leading up to them or the consequences that follow. As a result, these choices sometimes carry less emotional weight than they could have. From a technical standpoint, viewers can expect much of the same quality as the first film. The visual effects remain impressive for their time, though they may not hold up for everyone today. Overall, it’s an entertaining sequel with more action than its predecessor. Considering its context, it should appeal to fans of the genre and the character alike. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/03/25 Full Review matthias s Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut is a solid 3-star superhero flick that every Superman fan should check out. First off, that John Williams theme—pure chills every time! It's hands-down one of the best superhero scores ever. As a huge Superman and comics fan, this version feels way more comic-accurate. Christopher Reeve? Absolutely perfect as Clark Kent/Superman, and his chemistry with Margot Kidder’s Lois Lane is spot-on. She’s smarter, funnier, and way more charming here—huge improvement! Terence Stamp’s General Zod is still fantastic, but from the opening scene, you can tell this cut is something special. It’s not just a few changes; it captures the magical, entertaining vibe of the first film, which the theatrical version missed. While it’s not perfect, it respects the source material and delivers a much better experience. Honestly, I’m never going back to the theatrical version—this is the definitive cut for me. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/20/24 Full Review John S original superman 2 was perfect but Richard Donner's version is better Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/14/24 Full Review DanTheMan 2 The closest approximation to what Richard Donner's Superman II would have looked like, the result, while a bit rough around a couple of edges, is simply remarkable. The new version is paced much better but more importantly, however, is the dramatic weight that some of the restored scenes add to the film, so many scenes have now got their intended payoff, showing that happiness doesn't come without a price. The best bits of the theatrical version are here in full force with minimal scraps added later, marking the film itself as the remarkable artistic accomplishment it should have been upon initial release. Lester's laboured slapstick has been all but excised and in its place is a film that's closer in tone to the original and offers a more consistent balance between adventure and romance. The whole cast is on top form, Reeve especially, delivering his best performance as Krypton's last son, Hackmen is again fantastic when he hasn't been hampered by the rough edits of the theatrical cut, while Stamp once again steals the film as Zod with Brando being a more than welcome addition to provide a closure. John Williams' music is another winner despite the reused nature of certain scenes, his music was just made for the Man of Steel. While you can't technically classify The Richard Donner Cut as the complete version of Superman II, it's certainly the more well-rounded and emotionally resonant of the two cuts and easily my preferred version. There's really no other way to conclude this review without saluting Michael Thau and his efforts in bringing Donner's vision back to the masses without whom we would have never seen a man fly. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/22/24 Full Review Read all reviews

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

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