Superman 2 - Donner Cut on AMC Now!

[Tom]

So i have heard of the Donner cut of Superman 2 (2 or 3 years ago) but have never seen it until now. AMC is showing it now (as of this post). My, this version is so different than the original. The entire Paris storyline has been dropped, and wow, there was that much extra footage. Well, going to watch the rest here. For those who have seen it what are your thoughts?

 

[JohnChod]

Bought the ultimate Superman collection (I, II, II Donner Cut, III, IV, Returns, bunch of bonus stuff in a tin case) at Sam's Club for like $18 a while back. I already had 1, II, and Returns, but I couldn't pass up the price.

I've wanted to watch the Donner cut ever since but haven't gotten around to it. Maybe before the summer is out, I'll get a chance.

Will be interested to read others' comments.

 

[I-Am-Zim]

Ohhhhh AMC so pi$$ed me off when I set up my DVR to record the Donner cut. I came home from work the next day and tried to watch it and lo and behold, it was actually the last part of Superman II and the first part of Superman III. Even though the info screen said it was the Donner cut. Tried to watch it again later and the same dam thing happened. It was showing some other Superman movie instead of the Donner cut. I don't get it. I guess I'll just have to buy it. But I really want to see it. I'd rather watch the DVD anyway. AMC has commercials. So it will be cut to pieces anyway and probably pan and scan. So it wouldn't be worth it to watch on AMC.

 

[RandyS]

A four year old movie is already considered a classic?

 

[sojourner]

^No silly, it's considered an "ultimate", who said classic?

The Donner cut is OK until the epilogue scene where Clark beats up a man in a diner -who at this point has done nothing wrong!!!

 

[RandyS]

^No silly, it's considered an "ultimate", who said classic?

The people who decided to show it on AMERICAN MOVIE CLASSICS apparently.

 

[ClayinCA]

Actually, AMC hasn't stood for American Movie Classics for some time now; in fact, it's generally accepted that "AMC" doesn't actually stand for anything any more, and a thorough search of their website will yield no reference to the initials standing for "American Movie Classics."

It's stupid, but it's true!

 

[sojourner]

^exactly.

 

[RandyS]

Actually, AMC hasn't stood for American Movie Classics for some time now; in fact, it's generally accepted that "AMC" doesn't actually stand for anything any more, and a thorough search of their website will yield no reference to the initials standing for "American Movie Classics."

It's stupid, but it's true!

This is what happens when I give up on TV.

 

[Dream]

Actually, AMC hasn't stood for American Movie Classics for some time now; in fact, it's generally accepted that "AMC" doesn't actually stand for anything any more, and a thorough search of their website will yield no reference to the initials standing for "American Movie Classics."

It's stupid, but it's true!

I think they showed Catwoman on AMC a while back.

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

A four year old movie is already considered a classic?

While the cut wasn't assembled until 2006, it was shot way back in 1978-1980. Is 30 years classic? I don't know. I'm not entirely sure where the line between classic & modern is, although I think it falls somewhere after Dr. Strangelove but before Rocky. Here's a question: When did the Oscars stop having separate categories for black & white cinematography vs. color cinematography?

I'm not a huge fan of the Richard Donner Cut of Superman II. It's an interesting alternate take on film history, but it just doesn't feel like a complete movie the way the Richard Lester Cut does. Of course, in either version, the film has a couple of massive problems:
1.) Superman is without his powers for maybe a grand total of 15 minutes of screentime.
2.) Superman gives up his powers to be with a woman who has all but said that he's not good enough for her as Clark Kent.

 

[RandyS]

A four year old movie is already considered a classic?

While the cut wasn't assembled until 2006, it was shot way back in 1978-1980. Is 30 years classic? I don't know. I'm not entirely sure where the line between classic & modern is, although I think it falls somewhere after Dr. Strangelove but before Rocky. Here's a question: When did the Oscars stop having separate categories for black & white cinematography vs. color cinematography?

I'm not a huge fan of the Richard Donner Cut of Superman II. It's an interesting alternate take on film history, but it just doesn't feel like a complete movie the way the Richard Lester Cut does. Of course, in either version, the film has a couple of massive problems:
1.) Superman is without his powers for maybe a grand total of 15 minutes of screentime.
2.) Superman gives up his powers to be with a woman who has all but said that he's not good enough for her as Clark Kent.

Yes, I know when the film was shot, but the Donner Cut is generally accepted to be a 2006 movie since that's when it was released.

You mini review reminded me of one I read four years ago. The person (I don't remember who) called the Donner Cut "One long deleted scene". For some reason, that has stayed in my memory.

 

[DarthPipes]

It's not perfect to be sure (they should not have had Superman reverse time at the end and wipe away everything) but I do enjoy the Donnor Cut. Some of Christopher Reeves best work was left on the cutting room floor. One scene is noticeable, where he's talking to Jor-El about giving up his powers. He's dressed like Clark Kent but he looks like Superman. It's Kal-El's true self and it's an interesting scene. Even as a rough cut screen test, the scene where Lois finds out Clark's true identity is a 1000 times better than what was in the original movie.

 

[DeafPoet]

Watched it today after not having seen it since it came out. My god, it's just crazy better than the original version. I cringe when I see the Lester footage in there and Kidder looks like a crackhead's used up skeleton.

I agree that the ending feels a little weird though. I just don't think about it too much and enjoy the scene for what it is.

 

[bigdaddy]

Actually, AMC hasn't stood for American Movie Classics for some time now; in fact, it's generally accepted that "AMC" doesn't actually stand for anything any more, and a thorough search of their website will yield no reference to the initials standing for "American Movie Classics."

It's stupid, but it's true!

A Marvelous Channel.

 

[Klaus]

Some of us are old enough to remember when AMC was the first destination for true classic films and TCM was a colorizing upstart... a long time ago in a galaxy, far, far away. I couldn't imagine TV life w/o TCM and keep AMC in my favorites largely out of pity.

Haven't had a chance to see the Donner cut yet, one of these days.

 

[RandyS]

Some of us are old enough to remember when AMC was the first destination for true classic films.

Yep. It hasn't been a part of my cable for so many years, that I wasn't even aware of a change.

And I recommend the Donner Cut. It's an unfinished film as somebody else said, but it is an enjoyable alternate take on my most favorite Superman film.

 

[Gary 7 of 9]

The Donner Cut was very interesting to watch but I prefer the standard version.