Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

Audience Reviews

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 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 N G So much better than the released version, like a whole different movie with all the bits you liked and new bits which add weight and depth to the Superman story (before Lester ruined it in number 3). Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/03/24 Full Review Kelsey M This cut isn’t quite what it could have been had Donner been kept on as the director, but the version we have flows better and is a better story than the theatrical cut imo. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/25/24 Full Review Read all reviews

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

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