Friday, May 29, 2015

2015 Blind Spot Series - Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut


Nowadays, there are more cinematic superhero franchises going than you can shake a cape at. Back when I was a kid, there was only one: Superman. I watched them all as they came out so many years ago. Superman II was my favorite. It had much more action than the first and was simultaneously silly. I was nine. This worked. A couple years ago, when the franchise reboot Man of Steel came out, I decided to revisit the entire series to see how it held up. My conclusion for the first of the sequels is that it was fun, but the tone was entirely too uneven giving the movie a herky-jerky feel. Many of the issues seem to stem from the mid-film firing of director Richard Donner over the direction of the movie. Donner had a darker vision in mind for The Big Blue Boy Scout while the powers that be wanted a lighter picture. Though much of the footage was shot, Richard Lester was brought in to shoot some more with that lighter tone. The result is what we now know as the theatrical version of Superman II. At the time, I hadn't seen Donner's cut of the film which first surfaced in 2006. Now, as part of the Blind Spot Series, I have.


Right away, a difference between this version and the theatrical one becomes apparent. The Richard Donner Cut, TRDC, gets to the point quicker in almost all cases. There are entirely new scenes featuring our main characters, and/or scenes we already had with them are expanded. On the other hand, those featuring non-essential characters are either shortened or removed. The slapstick comedy that served to pause things in the theatrical cut have largely been left out. That isn't to say this is a humorless affair. It's just that comedy is kept to a few lines of dialogue here and there as opposed to short skits woven into the film's fabric. This gives us a greater emphasis on character development. In particular, there is a greater emphasis on Superman (Christopher Reeve), himself. His relationship with his father is now a focal point where it's almost entirely absent from what made it to the big screen. This is done by restoring previously dumped footage of Marlon Brando. Our hero's relationship with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) is also expanded and moves along much quicker. Right from the start, she is feverishly trying to prove that Superman and Clark Kent are indeed the same person. Her act of daring her hero not to save her takes place much earlier, and is different from what happens in the theatrical release. The same goes for how she eventually finds out her suspicions are correct. What takes place in TRDC sees her actively force the issue. This feels truer to the aggressive style of journalism we're told she employs. It's a wonderful moment for her where she truly gets the best of Superman. It helps to cement the foundation of their relationship. We see more of why Superman loves her. What she brings to the table is made clearer.


Our villains also benefit from the greater emphasis on character. Most improved is the hulking mute, Non (Jack O'Halloran). In the theatrical version, he is a gigantic slice of comic relief. His allegiance to General Zod (Terence Stamp) seems to be simply because that's who got to him first. There is little evidence he cares one way or the other about what's going on, so long as he is obedient to Zod. Here, that effect is lessened by removing most of the bits showing him to be a buffoon and expanding on his actions during times when our trio is causing mayhem. I am particularly referring to when they storm The White House. He becomes a more serious, more menacing individual, and therefore, more willingly complicit in his own evil deeds. Non's growth serves to enhance Zod, as well. We understand better why he would include such a person in his inner circle. Zod becomes more competent, and through the same invasion of The White House, more threatening. Ursa is largely unchanged, though, remaining an instigating presences constantly buzzing about in Zod's ear.


SPOILER ALERT!!!

As all stories must, TRDC comes to an end. This is where it gets a little strange. Before I tell you why, I have to mention just how this cut of the film was made. With Richard Donner in the driver's seat, back in '06 with help from others, it was stitched together using the footage he shot while still employed as the movie's director. Test shots of things not actually filmed were also used. Most importantly, the original script was used as a guideline. You may or may not be aware that all of Donner's stuff for this movie was shot simultaneously with what would become Superman: The Movie. This is significant because that film ends, rather nonsensically, with Superman flying backwards around the Earth fast enough to reverse its rotation, and time itself, bringing Lois Lane back to life. Initially, that trick was to be used for the ending of part two, but for a different reason. And so, Donner pulls it back out for this version. This begs a few questions. Since the flying backwards thing was already used, what would he have done to end this movie, if allowed to complete it? If he had his way, what would Donner have done with the ending of that first movie? In which movie does this ending fit better? To be honest, it's completely illogical in either case. It works slightly better for the sequel, but I actually prefer what Richard Lester and/or the Salkinds (producers and owners of the character's rights, at the time) came up with as a just barely more plausible course of action for Superman to take. I'm referring to the now infamous Super-kiss that erased Lois' memory of Clark and Superman being the same person.


Having finally laid eyes on TRDC, I must say that I prefer it to the theatrical version. It's not really that close, either. This one flows smoothly and doesn't repeatedly pull me out of the movie with unnecessary attempts at humor. the exclusion of Lester's additions make this a much more concise picture with a clear idea of the feelings its trying to convey. It succeeds in creating a darker Superman movie without making the protagonist a creepy stalker like in Superman Returns, or a morose depressive, as in Man of Steel. It's also a deeper film, exploring more facets of Superman's reality. Given this greater opportunity to shine, Christopher Reeve responds with his best performance in the role. I may be biased because I prefer more serious-minded superhero flicks, unless we're talking about self-aware comedies, which this is not. In fact, nothing in the theatrical cut of Superman II strikes me that way. It's just random goofiness inserted just for the sake of including some shenanigans. This might make the version that made it to theaters a more "fun" movie, especially for the kiddies, but TRDC is both tighter and more complex. It gives us layers to peel leading to a more involving and satisfying experience.


Check out more Blind Spot Reviews


This review was posted as part of Ryan's Blindspot Challenge at The Matinee.

16 comments:

  1. Awesome write-up mate. You've actually convinced me to want to see a superhero movie.. I never thought that would happen! But this sounds like the sort of affair that I'd like. And I do have a soft spot for Watchmen, its not like i hate all superhero films no matter what.

    Good stuff!

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    1. Thanks. I'll only caution you that this a movie from 1980, so it's not going to look as great as what you're used to. And no, it's not quite Watchmen dark.

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  2. I caught TRDC for the first time a few years ago when I got the Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition. As I watched it I was blown away by how much better it was than the theatrical cut. Then that ending happened. I hated it in Superman and I hate it in TRDC. It didn't completely ruin the experience, but I almost have to turn off both movies before the turn back time sequences.

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    1. Yeah, I'm not sure why this was ever thought to be a good idea. However, that's why I have to wonder what Donner would have done since that ending was already taken by the first movie.

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  3. What a great pick for a Blindspot Dell! I've only seen a couple of scenes, interesting to see the length Lois would go to prove her theory that Kent is Superman, ahah. I LOVE LOVE Superman the Movie, it's an essential movie of my childhood. Reeve shall always be the best Superman, the quintessential classic superhero who's inspiring and just all around awesome!

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    1. Thanks, Ruth. Lois certainly went all out in this one. She wasn't screwin' around, at all. And yes, Reeve is Superman as far as I'm concerned.

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  4. I've always had a soft spot for the original Superman film and thought the second was okay but not nearly as good. I have only seen the theatrical cut though, you've made me want to seek out this to see the difference. I don't mind superhero films that are a bit more serious minded although they have become increasingly dour and mean spirited veering towards an unnecessary darkness but I must admit I like light-hearted ones best.

    The other thing I love about this series as opposed to the more recent ones is the superior casting. None of the recent actors can match Christopher Reeve's relaxed charm and magnetism in the role. I don't know if it's a lack in the performers or the a directorial choice but it's glaring. He pulled you in to his adventure now you just follow along with no real connection to what's on screen. Even more is the continual miscasting of Lois Lane. Margot Kidder's goofy, spunky charm and everyday looks are such a key to Lois being relatable to the audience and they keep sticking colorless mannequins in the role.

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    1. I'd definitely advise seeing this version. It is darker, but not in the way you describe some of the more modern superhero flicks. You are dead on about the casting, too. Kidder is so perfect as Lois Lane, partly because she's a subversion of how the character is typically thought of. And I can't say often enough that Christopher Reeve is Superman. He's that good in the role.

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  5. Have to see this cut! Superman was my first big movie love (actor, character and as a magical superhero movie) Superman II was good, loved the trio of villains but I agree with you that the humour kind of gets too much. Agree with the above comments too, about Kidder having the perfect personality for Lois, and Reeve the charm that nobody has been able to come close to, forget about duplicating it! Great review.

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    1. I highly encourage seeing this for fans of the franchise. It really shows how much Reeve was really capable of with the character. I was really impressed with his performance. Thanks for reading!

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  6. I've only seen bits of this as I have seen all of the Superman films where the first is my favorite and I'm in that minority that loves Superman Returns.

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    1. I don't love Superman Returns, but I do like it. It just had too many flaws to totally ignore.

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  7. That was rough Richard Donner was fired mid-film! I'm curious about the Donner cut, which I haven't seen. Seems from your review there are quite a few differences.

    I didn't get into the first two Reeves Superman movies until they showed them on TV when I was in my teens. When I was a pre-teen I did enjoy the Richard Pryor one where Superman pushes the Leaning Tower of Pisa, I think it was Superman 3.

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    1. Donner and the Salkinds couldn't come to a workable middle ground. They want to camp it up and he was opposed to it. There are definitely some differences. Yes, the one with Pryor is Superman III.

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  8. I liked Superman II but now I feel like I have to see this cut.

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    1. For my money, it's the better, tighter movie. Stupid ending, though.

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