World Definitive "Superman II"

[kaijunexus]

We now have two "Superman II" films to choose from in terms of franchise continuity.

Taking into consideration, general preference, relation to the first Superman film, the original sequels, and of course, the vague Superman Returns history, which version do you truly deem the official "Superman II" in your eyes?

 

[Super Kal]

i say a mix between the two... there are parts I like from the Lester version and parts that I like from the Donner version.

but if I have to choose one, I would choose Lester's version.

 

[CGHulk]

Wih a bit more money, the Donner version could really work. It just needs more polishing. So at this point, I withhold my vote.

 

[pwl4life]

take the donner version, add "General...would you care to step outside" and superman getting flowers and food for his dinner with lois from the lester version and BAM definitive.

 

[cryptic name]

i like the Donner version better, but in terms of "vague history" Donner's doesn't work at all, because he turns the earth back to before he slept with lois...so...yeah

 

[dude stannis]

It's explainable.

I'll go Donner Cut. But I'd like if they took some stuff Lester did and threw it in.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

I'm working on a trailer for an 'ultimate' or definitive version of Supes II, which includes footage from both, representing what I feel would be the greatest telling of the story. And the longest. lol.

 

[Spoarz™]

^ Sounds cool Kev, I'd like to see it when you've finished it.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

I'll stick it on YouTube when I'm done.

 

[captain_jimbo]

Donner's cut, by far.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

Lester's version is too silly, whereas Donner's is too fast (probably as a result of him not having all the footage he needed). Lester's version has better pacing.

 

[Spoarz™]

I'll stick it on YouTube when I'm done.

Sweeet.

 

[DrMylesOBoogie]

Donner's is a better movie. The lack of an ending though is what deprives us of a "definitive" cut that follows the amazing first film.

 

[Billy Batson]

I can't choose, both were great.
Mix the best part of the two.
Kevin, is the YouTube feed up yet?

 

[dude stannis]

IMO, I'd keep the overall flm the Donner Cut but include the following:

The action scene in Paris, though obviously I wouldn't include the breaking of the Phantom Zone.
The stuff with Zod and co right before the news report.
"General, would you like to step outside?"

 

[mego joe]

Donner.

 

[Josh Bond]

i'd say Donner, but the ending sucks, so possibly Lester's. i really like Lesters though, and i actually think that both the films have some silly bits that should have been left out. Lester's obviously had all that stupid stuff when the phantom zoners were super blowing all the people away, but Donner's had the bed wetter prison scene, and an extension of silly toilete stuff in the Fortress of solitude.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

Kevin, is the YouTube feed up yet?

Almost finished. There are so many great parts to include-!

 

[Showtime]

Lester's version is too silly, whereas Donner's is too fast (probably as a result of him not having all the footage he needed). Lester's version has better pacing.

I agree, Lesters version does seem to have better pacing and a better hashed out story arc both emotionally and action wise.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

I agree, Lesters version does seem to have better pacing and a better hashed out story arc both emotionally and action wise.

I also like that the Lester version makes a bigger deal out of Lois trying to find out if Clark is Supes. It's half way thru the movie before he reveals it to her, and then well into the second hour that he gives up his powers. That just plays better, there is more weight to it. Donner's version rushes it.

The point is that there are two storylines, each representing one aspect of Kal-El's life. With Lois, he falls in love and wants to be a normal man. With Zod & co, he's needed as Superman but he isn't there (the importance of Jorl-El's final speech is that he explains that in the way your dad would explain it to you, and you feel as humbled as Kal-El does. You're right, dad.

These two strorylines should make up the bulk of the movie, and they should only converge at the climax for the Metropolis battle scene. Donner's gets to it a bit too fast.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

Okay, my video is up now....make sure you crank the sound up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG56F48WMEg

 

[OzzMosiz]

take the donner version, add "General...would you care to step outside" and superman getting flowers and food for his dinner with lois from the lester version and BAM definitive.

Yeah thats the one bit I prefer in lesters version, the "Would you care to step outside"

 

[Kevin Roegele]

The press line doesn't quite work, does it?

"General, haven't you ever heard of freedom of the press?"
"Obviously not, I'm from Krypton, I didn't even know what this planet was called until a few hours ago."

 

[Smegger56]

I'm not sure. I'd say that Donners version was the better of the two, in the fact that we finally had the Jor-El scenes put in, it was less camp, how lois found out clark was supes... the whole character relationship was better.

The way Zod reacted in the Donner cut to discovering the Kal-El was on Earth was WAYYYYY better, and seeing supes get his powers back from Jor-El... WOW... and the way he gave them up had a better emotional punch.

But, the turning back time ending just didn't work in the film, as it had already been used for supes 1, so we never got to see the re-visioned ending that Donner would've written and shot.

So, there is where Lesters version wins. The whole amnesia kiss i've never really liked, but it's better than the turning back time bit.

But, for continuity sake, Lesters Supes 2 is the one i'm afraid. Donners is more a what could've been... bloody Salkinds .

The other criticsm i have of the Donner cut is that it's choppy... but that is obviously understandable, as Donner never got to shoot the other 30% of his vision of supes 2.

 

[Furious Styles]

The press line doesn't quite work, does it?

"General, haven't you ever heard of freedom of the press?"
"Obviously not, I'm from Krypton, I didn't even know what this planet was called until a few hours ago."

Haha t: