Kryptonian villain General Zod (Terence Stamp) and his henchmen are accidentally freed from their outer-space imprisonment and threaten Earth with destruction, just as Superman (Christopher Reeve) decides to renounce his superpowers for his new love, Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). This alternate version of the film is based on footage shot by director Richard Donner before being replaced on the project, and it includes material not seen in the film's original 1980 release.
Overall the addition of Brando, slightly better pacing, the removal of the ridiculous amnesia kiss, the S throw and one or two less fluffy moments put this just above the theatrical version. It doesn't really work as the end of Superman 1 is changed in the process and there is the addition of screen tests where Lois and Clark look different but disregarding that I think that this is a better version.
Notes on the Differences:
-the beginning / no Eiffel tower/terrorism plot at the start
-missile from SM1 cracks villains out of glass instead of a bomb from the elevator.
-no Clark walking across the streets into the car.
-no orange juice.
-why they go to Niagara Falls is explained by Perry White not briefly by Lois in the hotel.
-they don't get a tour of the hotel room.
-Lois doesn't quiz Clark after the Niagara Falls incident.
-different hotel - screen test
-father talks to Luthor in crystal not mother.
-Luthor dubbed
-Lois jumps at the start off the Daily Planet building, not into the rapids in Canada. Superman doesn't come like in the theatrical version.
-Lois shoots with a blank at Clark instead of Clark tripping and his hand going into the fire but not being burnt in the hotel.
-3 villains in the country town scene is different. no arm wrestle.
-no kid asks Zod to put his daddy down
-no superman collecting food for dinner from forest
-talks to father instead of mother when his powers are regenerated. -Conversation has a bit more bit to it. comes out in normal clothes. losers the superman outfit.
-Washington Monument takes the place of Mount Rushmore
-major fight scene varies. Statue of Liberty. no baseball hit. The underground fight lasts longer.
-concluding fight doesn't occur. no throwing the giant s and multiple supermans.
-Lois and Clark don't discuss the need to not be together.
-no amnesia kiss. instead rotates the world back to where he did at the end of the 1st
-pizza instead of hamburger-screentest
-no president scene at the end
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