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Superman II: Richard Donner Edition

post #1 of 13
1/30/06 at 4:58pm
Thread Starter 
From the guys at DigitalBits.com:

Quote:
Yes... looks like it's true. We've known for a while now that Warner Home Video was working on new DVD special editions of the Superman films to tie in with the release of Bryan Singer's Superman Returns later this year (in theaters 6/30), but now we have the first actual confirmation... from Ilya Salkind, who co-produced the first three Superman films! Salkind has acknowledged that he's working with Warner on the new DVDs, and that all of the films in the series are being restored and given deluxe new special edition treatment, a-la last year's Batman Anthology collection. By far the best news in all this, is that it seems that Warner is FINALLY allowing Richard Donner to create his original director's cut of Superman II! How damn cool is that?! As many of you know, Donner directed Superman: The Movie and most of Superman II back to back, but was eventually fired from the sequel. Director Richard Lester was hired to replace him, and it's Lester's cut of the film that we've seen all these years. What's cool is that Lester's theatrical cut of the film is being given special edition treatment as well, so you'll be able to fully explore BOTH versions of Superman II on DVD this summer. Lester MAY even do an interview for the DVD - something he's been reluctant to do over the years given the controversy. This information comes from Salkind via The Superman Homepage fan site, which expects to publish a full interview with Salkind in the coming weeks. Very cool news indeed (though keep in mind that until Warner announces this set, it's all still unofficial). Thanks to Bits reader Matt K. for the heads-up on this.
That would be ultra-cool if they did include both versions on the DVD. I never bought Superman II on DVD, as I just believed they would eventually do something else with it, and it looks like they will. The real question is...which is worse--a "Batman & Robin: SE" or "Superman IV: SE"?
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post #2 of 13
1/30/06 at 6:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martianman
From the guys at DigitalBits.com:



That would be ultra-cool if they did include both versions on the DVD. I never bought Superman II on DVD, as I just believed they would eventually do something else with it, and it looks like they will. The real question is...which is worse--a "Batman & Robin: SE" or "Superman IV: SE"?
Batman & Robin. The "Bat-Credit Card" puts Clooney's caped catastrophe over the top and seals the deal. That, and Batman on Ice.
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post #3 of 13
1/30/06 at 6:57pm
I'm sort of looking forward to this, I guess. I'm not expecting it to be the eye-opening revelation that some fans might be expecting but merely a series of Donner's deleted scenes cobbled together with previously-released Donner/Lester footage to provide context. I only say this since Donner has now said that he's really not that involved and is only providing some feedback.

The only way I'll buy this new set is if the theatrical version of the films are presented alongside the Special Edition cuts via seamless branching the same way THE ABYSS, TERMINATOR 2 and the entire ALIEN QUADRILOGY were. I'm still pissed that the theatrical cut of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE (with original sound mix) has never been released on DVD. I absolutely HATE the new sound effects added to it.

Knowing Warner Bros., I doubt they'll provide multiple seamlessly-branched versions. It's not their way, sadly.
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post #4 of 13
1/31/06 at 2:37am
Yeah i'm looking forward to seeing this. Surprised the Salkinds are playing ball.
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post #5 of 13
1/31/06 at 3:07am
I'm pretty excited about the idea, and I have to go on record as saying that I love the DVD edition of Superman; new sound effects and all. Just the fact that they fixed the "green suit" problem was enough to get excited about.

If nothing else, hopefully it at least means that Superman II will get a digital sound remaster. The current DVD is a crime against my sound system. When Terrence Stamp bellows "Kneel before Zod!" and the window explodes, I want my windows to explode.
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post #6 of 13
1/31/06 at 3:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesse Custer
Batman & Robin. The "Bat-Credit Card" puts Clooney's caped catastrophe over the top and seals the deal. That, and Batman on Ice.
See, I think that those truly awful bits make that film more perversely enjoyable, but I haven't seen Supe IV since... well I don't think I've seen the whole thing, but that ending was terrible when I saw it years ago.
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post #7 of 13
1/31/06 at 3:29am
I have to go with Superman IV. The scene where he reassembles the Great Wall of China by looking at it pushes it over the top. Plus, it makes a completely wrongheaded mistake; you never confront a superhero with real-world concerns like nuclear proliferation or terrorism (I'm looking at you, Marvel). It's inappropriate, and brings up questions that are better left unanswered.
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post #8 of 13
1/31/06 at 3:31am
I kind of like the idea behind it, and it's pretty well-meaning. That said, it's an awful movie, but compared to BATMAN & ROBIN, especially the differences (budget, studio interference, etc) it's a way better movie.
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post #9 of 13
1/31/06 at 12:59pm
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Originally Posted by Pop Zeus
See, I think that those truly awful bits make that film more perversely enjoyable, but I haven't seen Supe IV since... well I don't think I've seen the whole thing, but that ending was terrible when I saw it years ago.
Don't get me wrong - perverse enjoyment is a personal favorite of mine (that came out sounding wrong). Batman and Robin is so excruciatingly bad that, in some ways, it goes all the way around the horn and becomes "good." But it's still a horrible, horrible film. The sheer presence of Christopher Reeve, and the misguided but well-meaning storyline of Supes IV elevates it above B&R if for one reason: B&R is a movie built to sell toys. Supes IV was built to end nuclear war.

Advantage: Supes! (for sheer, cheesy, ballsy chutzpah).
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post #10 of 13
1/31/06 at 3:22pm
Superman IV could actually be interesting in that a huge chunk of that film was deleted because of the running time. In fact, Luther actually builds an earlier version of the whateverthehellsolarpoweredtype villian. I'm not saying it will be any better, mind you, only more to chuckle over. Besides, who can argue with the possability of more Jon Cryer?

As for Superman II, I'm glad to see this coming together. I remember seeing shots of some of the excised sequences many many years ago. Since then it's become a source of speculation in the What If file of my mind. Plus, a making-of documentary and/or commentary could be rife with bitter remonstrations.
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post #11 of 13
1/31/06 at 3:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesse Custer
Don't get me wrong - perverse enjoyment is a personal favorite of mine (that came out sounding wrong). Batman and Robin is so excruciatingly bad that, in some ways, it goes all the way around the horn and becomes "good." But it's still a horrible, horrible film. The sheer presence of Christopher Reeve, and the misguided but well-meaning storyline of Supes IV elevates it above B&R if for one reason: B&R is a movie built to sell toys. Supes IV was built to end nuclear war.

Advantage: Supes! (for sheer, cheesy, ballsy chutzpah).
But it seems like that film is trying so hard to be "important" and fails utterly. Whereas B&R, for all its many many flaws, is content to be.. uh... whatever it is.

Btw, I can't believe I'm defending Joel Schumacher's Batman & Robin, one of the worst movies I've ever seen.
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post #12 of 13
1/31/06 at 11:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pop Zeus
But it seems like that film is trying so hard to be "important" and fails utterly. Whereas B&R, for all its many many flaws, is content to be.. uh... whatever it is.

Btw, I can't believe I'm defending Joel Schumacher's Batman & Robin, one of the worst movies I've ever seen.
I can't believe it, either.

And to be honest, I could care less which one is worse. It's like discussing which knee cap you'd like to be shot in. Why bother? You're getting shot either way.
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post #13 of 13
2/1/06 at 6:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesse Custer
And to be honest, I could care less which one is worse. It's like discussing which knee cap you'd like to be shot in. Why bother? You're getting shot either way.
Excellent analogy. I have no intention of ever watching either again (although I've heard that Schumacher's commentary/confession/apology is interesting), so why debate which one is more painful?
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