Superman II (2006) (V)

Director:

Richard Donner

Writers:

Jerry Siegel (screenplay) &
Joe Shuster (characters) ...

Release Date:

28 November 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

Plot:

Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to marry Lois, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.

Plot Keywords:

Version Originally Rejected | Superhero | Alternate Version | Alien Invasion | Based On Comic Book

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Gene Hackman	...	Lex Luthor
Christopher Reeve	...	Clark Kent / Kal-El / Superman
Marlon Brando	...	Jor-El
Ned Beatty	...	Otis
Jackie Cooper	...	Perry White
Sarah Douglas	...	Ursa
Margot Kidder	...	Lois Lane
Jack O'Halloran	...	Non
Valerie Perrine	...	Eve Teschmacher
Clifton James	...	Sheriff
E.G. Marshall	...	The President
Marc McClure	...	Jimmy Olsen
Terence Stamp	...	General Zod
John Ratzenberger	...	Controller #1
Shane Rimmer	...	Controller #2

Also Known As:

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (USA) (promotional title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for sequences of action violence, some language and brief mild sensuality.

Runtime:

USA:115 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG | Finland:K-11 | Australia:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

The green crystal Clark picks up in the Fortress of Solitude is a prop from Superman Returns (2006). A shot of editor Michael Thau's hands was used for Clark picking up the green crystal.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the hotel room sequence, Clark's hair changes length and style several times between shots (this due to the scene being cobbled together from two sets of screen tests filmed months apart).

Quotes:

[first lines]
Jor-El: I ask you now to pronounce judgment on those accused. On this... this mindless aberration, who's only means of expression are wanton violence and destruction; on the woman Ursa, whose perversions and unreasoning hatred of all mankind have threatened even the children of the planet Krypton; finally, General Zod. Chief architect of this intended revolution and author of this insidious plot to establish a new order amongst us...

Movie Connections:

Edited from Superman II (1980)

A long time coming.

As a big superman fan, I was very happy to see this DVD make it to the light of day. While I thought the Richard Lester theatrical release was good at the time, that too was not as good as superman I. When I read that they has shot both one and two simultaneously, I wondered why they looks so different. Now I know. While this version is not 100% of Dick Donner's vision it is 90%, and that is better then 0%. Although this so called final or original cut is up dated they didn't go over board with the CGI. They blended it very well with the look of the late 70's. You can see some of the minor flaws in a few seines. This is due to lost negatives and having to resort to using screen test and out takes to fill in some of the gaps. Once again Dick Donner and the studio did a very good job. They added back the cut seines with Marlon Brando. How can you cut that out?! Well they did it to save money. I think this would have been a much better version in the theaters back in 1980, even better if Donner was allowed to fully complete 100% of his work. The suites are ruining Hollywood. The story is changed somewhat, but not so you wont recognize it. General Zod is still the villain. The commentary track is a great bonus from the director and writer Tom Mankiewicz.