SUPERMAN II:
THE RICHARD DONNERS CUT
Review By: Jacob Rubinstein
SPECIAL SCREENING FOR CAST AND CREW
November 2, 2006.
CAST: Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper, Sarah Douglas, Margot Kidder, Jack O’Halloran, Marc McClure, and Terence Stamp
DIRECTED BY RICHARD DONNER
RATED PG.
Back in 1981, a sequel to the Richard Donner movie: Superman the Movie was released in theatres. It was not the Donners edition of this movie. Superman the Movie and Superman 2 were filmed back to back. They had to stop production of Superman 2 to finish 1. Richard Donner had a difficult shoot and was later fired, and never returned to finish Superman 2.
Now nearly 30 years later, His version is finally shown.
However before I can review Superman 2: The Donners Cut. Let me reflect on the original theatre version of Superman 2.
I remember watching Superman 2 on the big screen with my cousin. I also had the same problem about the long lines, and not able to watch it the first time out. I had to go the next day when there was hardly anyone there. I remember being put off by the violence in the movie. I was young at the time. I must admit that the character of Ursa to be very interesting. She was very beautiful and dangerous at the same time. She didn’t take crap from anyone. My attitude towards Superman 2 changed. I did like it more then the first movie. I must say that the rest of the cast did a wonderful job. The chemistry between Reeve and Kidder is very magical. You believe that they were a couple together unlike the new Superman Returns Movie. Like any other classic movie, I have seen this movie many times on TV, video, and in the theatre. The movie also has a few moments of surprises and feels good, when the hero is finally able to take out the main villain.
How much is different of the original movie and Donners original version. Would Ursa still be beautiful and dangerous? Would the chemistry between reeve and Kidder still be the same? Would Non still play like a child? I do wonder if Sarah would have had the same success as a villainess after Donners cut was original released. She would later be typecast playing a villainess throughout her career.
I never thought that I would have a website on Sarah Douglas or Jack O’Halloran, or that I would meet them in real life, or meet the other cast members. With a special thanks to Jack O’Halloran and Derek Hoffman, I was invited to the private screening of Superman 2: The Richard Donners cut.
I have now seen the new Richard Donner cut of Superman 2. I must say. It’s a very different movie. There is so much to take in on the first viewing. I will probably have to view a few times to get everything. I must stress those fans and non-fans should watch the theatre version of Superman 2 first. You will notice so much more in this new cut. I was impressed on how much they filmed of the movie. Some of the scenes were same plot stuff, however they had different sets like the fortress and the daily planet. Made it a much different movie.
The Phantom Zone Villains, were much different in this version, they were actually meaner. Non was no longer the child, but now the destroyer. Ursa was more ruthless. I must say as a fan of both of Sarah Douglas and Jack O’Halloran, I prefer this version of the villains. Jack and Sarah have both expressed that they like this new version much better. There are some new great shots and scenes of both Ursa and Non and think the fans will be very pleased with this new version.
There are now 3 versions of Superman 2. There is the original theatre version, the Restored International cut and of course the Donners cut. The Donner cut uses footage from both the theatre version and also the restored international cut. The Donners cut is not the ultimate edition of Superman 2. I think some fans were expecting a best of Lester/Donner footage in the new Donners cut. That is not the case. I know that some fans will want to make their own cut of Superman 2. I am totally against that idea. The movie works as is. They follow the 1977 draft of the script by Tom Mankiewicz. Mankiewicz would later cast Jack O’Halloran in 1987 remake of Dragnet with Tom Hanks and Dan Aykroyd.
If I have to compare it to another movie, it would be Spidey 2. Both in terms of plot and tone, You see more of Clark Kent then Superman. Superman 2: The Donners Cut is more drama then action. There is also a lot of setup for the characters, before Clark Kent can return as Superman in Superman 2.
SPOILER:
There is a lot of talk about the ending for Superman 2: The Donners Cut. I think Jack had the best answer for it. Could you keep a secret like that?
In closing, I would like to give special thanks for the invitation of the screening of Superman 2: The Donners Cut. Derek Hoffman, Richard Donner, Michael Thau, Marie Remelius & Ronnee Sass from Warner Home Video, Of course my two favorite Superman cast Members: Jack O’Halloran and Sarah Douglas.
http://www.angelfire.com/ca4/sarahdouglas
http://www.angelfire.com/ca6/jackohalloran
