Superman II [Special Edition,The Richard Donner Cut]

Part of what makes this experience appealing is watching Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder and Marlon Brando play their roles again in slightly different ways than the original. Brando's role here has actually been included and gives the film a weight that seemed absent from the Lester version. It should be noted that the Brando scenes are part of what have been included in Bryan Singer's "Superman Returns," which ultimately provides a through line for the three films.

In order for Lester to receive a credit on the first release of the film, he had to shoot more than 50 percent of the film and as such much of what Donner had put to celluloid was dropped (he had originally shot roughly about 75 percent of the film). Case in point: Virtually every scene with Hackman as Lex Luthor was filmed by Donner, and what's included in both versions is Donner material.

In addition to this myriad of new scenes and alternate takes on others, the Donner cut includes a new opening sequence including alternate footage of the Zod (Terence Stamp) and company's banishment into the phantom zone. Lester's Eiffel tower sequence has been left out in lieu of continuation of the events that ended the first film, with Superman deflecting Lex' missile attack into space causing the rift that sets Zod and his cohorts free.

This is immediately followed by the film's most lively sequence where Lois tries to reveal Clark's true identity as Superman with a series of sarcastic quips and a jump out of Perry White's office window in the Daily Planet. It's not exactly better than the Lester version where Lois tosses herself into a river near Niagara Falls, but the scene is a lot fun and does well to establish the evolving relationship between Lois and Clark.

While the film seems like a mishmash at times, it's decidedly effective. The performances are as energetic as the film itself, which moves along at a very brisk and entertaining pace. Reeve and Kidder add a spirited level to their performances that seems to be absent from the Lester version. Along with this, the Brando scenes provide some explanation for some of the plot points that were previously left out, such as how Superman's powers were restored.

Ultimately, "Superman II: The Director's Cut" is a great experience in that it gives viewers a true feeling for what Donner had originally envisioned for these two films. Although some of the mythology has evolved far beyond what was in the original films and feels dated by those standards, the "Donner Cut" is a worthwhile experience, providing a wonderful coda for Reeve's career as the Man of Steel. 7/10

Video:
The high definition, 1080 disc reproduces a screen ratio that measures about 2.18:1 across my television. The HD-DVD is obviously good, and some of the scenes in the movie are startlingly realistic in their detail. However, because different cinematographers under different directors filmed different parts of this newly revised Director's Cut, the images show up differently, some of them bright and clear, others soft and pastel. Then, too, you have some footage that probably underwent more ravages of time than other footage, so that issue becomes occasionally apparent, too. Sometimes facial tones are exact. Other times they are too dark and orangish. Definition throughout the film varies from sharp to subdued, but it is probably as good as it can be, with grain at a minimum.

Audio:
Like the high-definition picture, the Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 audio sounds fine, but that's not saying a lot, again given that there are so many varied elements involved. Dynamics are strong, to be sure, as is front-channel stereo separation. But there is not much going on in the surrounds except a few bullets ricocheting from time to time and a touch of musical ambience. Dialogue is often quite natural, but there are also scenes in which it sounds pinched and nasal, some of it having been dubbed in. There is not a good deal of deep bass, either, although what there is sounds impressive. I felt some scenes could have used more mid-bass warmth, too, while other scenes sounded overly bright or overly lean. So, the film is rather a hodgepodge in terms audio response, none of it bad, none of it outstanding.

Extras:
The single most-important bonus on the disc is an audio commentary with director Richard Donner and creative consultant Tom Mankiewiez. Both men still seem sore that the studio didn't allow Donner to finish the movie back in 1980, even though the studio gave them the unprecedented opportunity to restore much of it the way Donner wanted it. The thing is, though, that whenever Donner sees something that Richard Lester directed, he pans it, sometimes subtly, sometimes directly, explaining how he would have done a scene. At one point he goes so far as to say that the studio and Lester "destroyed" the theatrical version, especially in their decision not to include Brando, as the Director's Cut does. Frankly, after listening to a good portion of the commentary, I came away feeling sorry for Lester. I would liked to have heard a rebuttal.

Along with the commentary, Donner provides a two-minute introduction to the film, plus there's a thirteen-minute featurette, "Superman II: Restoring the Vision," and six deleted scenes, running a little over eight minutes.

Things conclude with thirty-three scene selections, but no chapter insert, English as the only spoken language option, and English, French, and Spanish subtitles, with English captions for the hearing impaired. As always, Warner Bros. also include pop-up menus, a zoom-and-pan feature, an indicator of elapsed time, and a nifty little red HD case.

Closing Remarks:
The new Director's Cut improves upon the general blood-and-mayhem approach of the theatrical version, making the story more serious and more dramatic. However, I cannot say I enjoyed it any better, HD-DVD or no, because I still felt the plot was rather far-fetched, lightweight, and silly. The movie lacks the epic proportions, the charm, and the innovation of the first "Superman" movie, which I liked a lot better.

The filmmakers dedicate "Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut" to Christopher Reeve, "without whom we would never have believed that a man could fly." It is a touching tribute to a genuinely super man.

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