The Superman 2 Donner Cut Has a HUGE Problem

I recently watched the Richard Donner cut of Superman II. In doing so, I noticed a huge problem that affects the ending of the movie. Essentially, the movie makes no sense.

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[anthonylaudati]

I agree with most of your comments. I would like to add that in two instances the original version of Superman II was better than the recut Donner version. First, Lois throwing herself into the river at Niagara Falls to force Clark to reveal himself as Superman works better because Clark has more time to react. In the Donner version, Lois jumps out the window of the Daily Planet building. How can she be sure Superman can move THAT fast to save her? Second, Clark's reveal as Superman in the hotel room with Lois works better. In the Donner version, Lois produces a gun and shoots Clark, only the gun is loaded with blanks. Even if it was just a ploy on Lois' part, I don't think Superman would have been able to view her with the affection again after she pulled a gun on Clark and fired it at him.

[CaptainBars]

Not only did the bully still remember beating up Clark in this closing scene, but the diner's owner remembered it too because he stated that he just got the place fixed and that it cost him a fortune. My theory therefore is that this closing scene where Clark/Superman got his revenge is actually shown out of sequence and took place right before Superman reversed time. If I had been a member of the original test-screen audience for the Richard Donner cut, I would have suggested adding a text on the screen right before this scene started which says: "A few moments before Superman reversed the timeline...." Such a text would have resolved this problem completely in my humble opinion.

[Durwood]

It's actually hilarious that from the bully's perspective, some guy walks into the diner and beats the crap out of him for no reason.

[RevmaticBand]

The tv cut with the villains going to jail should be the only version and just add the Marlon Brando parts in, turning the world back is dumb to do a second time

[andyrandall]

Donner had 80% of Superman II completed before he was fired. If he were allowed to finish II, he'd probably fine tune the ending better. Perhaps even cutting out Clark's revenge against the truck driver. 🙂

[jimmiesmith]

The Donner cut had its moments but I have too admit the Lester cut was better the only thing I liked is when the Superman punched non that was the first time I've seen him punch anyone other than him being the evil Superman Superman in 3

[KennAKALeo]

Over all, I was unimpressed with the Donner cut. Some scenes, like those with Marlon Brando, are made better by Brando being there. Since both "super-kissing" (e.g. Action Comics #306) and super-hypnosis (e.g. Action Comics #38) were among Superman's canonical powers, I thought the kiss ending worked (I just assumed he used the two together) in the original cut. It also removed the "well, I can just reverse time" as an option to solve any crisis. The cellophane-insignia trap was dumb. But a cut keeping the best of both versions would be best.

[TESORO-bx]

As much as I love "Superman 2", your problem with the Donner cut is credible. I've had somewhat of a problem with that now for years. 🤔

[lynnerose]

Ok so I thought about and GENETICALLY he is STILL Kryptonian and his genetics allow him to absorb solar radiation, whether or not he USES his powers.

So him getting beat up makes no sense because PHYSICALLY, he is STILL stronger than that guy at the diner. That’s in both cuts but makes no sense either way, but ESPECIALLY in the Donner Cut, bc whether or not Clark has his powers, he’s still impervious to actually being harmed by a human punch.

Stealing Superman’s powers literally meant that they altered Kal-El’s genetics.

That’s pretty much ridiculous.

[Scripture-Man]

There's no denying that Donner's directing and cinematography was way better, and the Lester version is incomplete without the Brando scenes, which is really the heart of the story. But I agree there are problems with the Donner cut, and good things about both versions. (Including the iconic line "General, would you care to step outside.") I also don't think this film would feel complete without the Eiffel Tower sequence, and as stupid as the cellophane S sequence is, the film really benefits from having a bit of a fight in the fortress of solitude before Zod gets depowered.

As for the very end of the film, neither Donner's time travel nor Lester's kiss were ideal, but I feel a lot more comfortable with the kiss than having time travel AGAIN!

[KILRtv]

1) Why destroy the Fortress of Solitude if you’re going to turn back time?

2) The villains are defeated in the Lester version, but the Donner version puts them back in the Phantom Zone. If it broke once, then it can happen again.

3) The time travel is Deus Ex Machina Star Trek Reset Button. That's poor writing.

[jordandallen]

The only line that doesn’t work is where the owner says he just got the diner fixed. But with regards to the bully: Clark just walks in. The Bully calls him four eyes. Then when Clark approaches him, the Bully throws the first punch and breaks his hand. Then Clark slides him into the pinball machine in response. Totally worth it.

[Rhettsgirl]

Reading some of these comments, I think what a lot of people don't get is Superman II was filmed at the same time as Superman The Movie. 80% of the movie was filmed before Donner left. Lester came in and wanted Director's credit so he reshot just enough to get that credit. A lot of his additions were just silly. And if the Salkinds hadn't been such skinflints, and let Donner finish his vision, we would've gotten a sequel just as good as the original. I enjoyed the theatrical version, but Donner's version had more heart and less silliness.

[chrisbender]

I have a bigger problem with this ending than just the diner revenge scene. When Superman reverses time it reverses everything, even putting the villains back into the phantom zone. Rather than go through all of the hassle of battling them Superman could have done this when he first learned about them. Part of me would also think while time would have been reversed for everyone, Kryptonians wouldn't be affected by the different timeline, similar to what happened to Jennifer and Einstein in Back to the Future 2, hence this quote by Doc Brown - "Don't worry, Marty. Assuming we succeed in our mission, this alternate 1985 will be changed back into the real 1985, instantaneously transforming around Jennifer and Einie." Another problem is now that the evil Kryptonians are back in the phantom zone there is always that danger they will break free again by some other event (crashing into an asteroid or a star, etc) and still have their powers. The only way Superman got his powers back was by Jorel sacrificing his essence, and since that is gone forever there really is no way they would get their powers back. Not only that I would think being trapped in a prison on earth in an orange jumpsuit is essentially a death sentence for them...I'm assuming they can now grow old and eventually pass from old age. While I agree I thought the kiss was stupid, it still works better than this ending.

[zackpuckett]

It took place before the time rewind. It's just a way to end the movie on a comedic note.

[kevingallagher]

That's why you need a good film editor. A lot of the material that winds up cut should never have been filmed in the first place.

[YY-mirf]

Hmm, interesting point. Regardless, the theatrical cut is miles better than the Donner version IMO, especially since they never gave us a version of part 1 that goes directly into Donner's part 2 resulting with the same two time travel endings that is dumb AF. But it's always great to have multiple versions!

[anthonygarcia]

The fortress of solitude fight is not only fun and creative (don't care what anyone says) there's also some tension while Superman is keeping them busy with his clever ruse and hoping they stay distracted enough for him to prepare the machine again

[ahwhite]

The scene is stupid in both versions. Clark Kent was only "weak" because he was trying to conceal his identity. Dude's still 6'4" and pretty damned jacked. If he were that unable to fight people equally "powered" with him, Zod would have kicked his ass like the guy in the bar did.

[نادرالیراحمان]

In some ways I hated it more than the Lester cut. Although some scenes were better, this is an overrated cut. I prefer the fan cut where scenes from both are added in.