Superman II 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Superman II and The Donner Cut, both derived from 35 mm film using Panavision cameras, offer a stunning visual presentation in 4K UHD, each sourced from a new scan and restoration leading to a 4K DI. Displayed on a native 3840 x 2160p resolution with a widescreen 2.39:1 aspect ratio, these editions utilize 10-bit video depth and HDR, enhancing colors and image depth significantly. The implementation of Wide Colour Gamut (WCG) and encoding with the HEVC (H.265) codec for HDR10 contributes to a vibrant and immersive viewing experience. Notably, while viewing these editions on high-end 4K equipment, the detail is remarkable, presenting texture in skin, clothing weaves, and intricate landscapes with exceptional clarity. The HDR enhances the color intensity, notably Superman’s suit and the reds and greens in the Fortress of Solitude, maintaining a natural aesthetic in landscapes like Niagara Falls.

However, it's not without its challenges. Given the varying sources of the new material, especially in The Donner Cut, there are slight inconsistencies in film stock and camera quality, albeit they've been managed well enough to maintain continuity. The original footage exhibits a blend of soft focus and vibrant comic book style, thanks to the work of cinematographers Geoffrey Unsworth and Robert Paynter. Their techniques contribute to the film's distinct visual charm, despite some footage featuring a softer look due to diffusion filters or reframing. Nevertheless, these are minor gripes in an otherwise stellar presentation.

The upgrade to 4K UHD has addressed some of the deficiencies noted in previous 1080 presentations, improving upon color densities and reducing overly chunky grain, though not entirely eliminating it. Scenes laden with special effects benefit noticeably from the increased resolution, albeit revealing limitations in vintage compositing effects. The dynamic range enhancement accentuates details and textures across brightly lit scenes and darker moments alike, ensuring depth and vibrancy throughout. Despite the lack of Dolby Vision, the HDR10 presentation still delivers an excellent viewing experience that honors the film’s theatrical legacy while embracing modern home theater capabilities.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Superman II" brings an ambitious Dolby Atmos surround track to both of its cuts, aiming to immerse the viewer in a more dynamic and expansive soundstage. The Atmos mix notably enhances the separation and dimensionality of the soundscape, allowing for a clear distinction between different elements such as the iconic score, dialogue, and various effects. While the intention is to create a cohesive audio bubble that envelops the listener, the execution sometimes falls short. The attempt at creating an immersive 3D soundscape occasionally results in individual elements drawing undue attention to themselves, disrupting the overall unity of the sound and momentarily pulling the viewer out of the film experience. This is particularly noticeable with some dialogue and effects which feel overly distinct from the mix, rather than naturally integrated. However, the action sequences and ambient effects, like those within the Fortress, showcase the track's strengths with well-realized effects that maintain engagement.

On a more positive note, the Dolby Atmos track excels in its handling of John Williams' grand score and the dynamic action sequences. The height channels add a significant sense of depth during flying scenes and confrontations, encapsulating the grandeur of Superman's world. Despite some instances of distracting separation, there are moments of audio bliss where the directionality and layering work harmoniously to elevate the viewing experience. The bass is consistently robust, lending considerable impact to punches, explosions, and the stirring music, though there are sporadic "wow" issues affecting Ken Thorne’s score with unfortunate pitch shifts that could detract from the immersion for keen-eared listeners.

In contrast to its ambitious Atmos mix, the 4K release also includes a lossless English 2.0 stereo track that might appeal to purists preferring the original theatrical audio experience. This alternative track avoids many of the sonic pitfalls found in the Atmos mix, presenting fewer pitch issues and potentially serving as a preferred option for those sensitive to the noted anomalies. The inclusion of multiple language tracks and subtitles ensures accessibility for a wide audience, though it's clear that the revamped Atmos experience—despite its flaws—aims to bring Superman's high-flying adventures to life with unprecedented auditory depth and clarity, even if it doesn't consistently soar to the heights it aims for.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray edition of "Superman II" combines previously available extras with the film’s theatrical and Richard Donner cuts, offering a comprehensive experience for aficionados and newcomers alike. The inclusion of both cuts on separate UHD discs, each supplemented by their own audio commentaries, enriches the viewing experience, shedding light on the creative visions behind this iconic sequel. Particularly noteworthy are the introductions and commentaries by Richard Donner on the Donner Cut, providing insight into what could have been. Additionally, the Blu-ray copies feature a wealth of content including making-of documentaries, deleted scenes, and a tribute to the Fleischer Studios Superman animations, satisfying those interested in the film's production and its legacy in animation. However, it's important to note that the commentaries are not new; they were initially recorded in 2006 for the Superman Ultimate Collector’s Edition DVD box set, hence might feel familiar to longtime fans.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Cut Audio Commentary: With executive producer Ilya Salkind and producer Pierre Spengler.
• Donner Cut Introduction by Richard Donner: Insight into the alternative version by its director.
• Audio Commentary: On the Donner Cut with Richard Donner and creative consultant Tom Mankiewicz.
• The Making of Superman II: A look behind the scenes.
• Superman’s Souffle Deleted Scene: A never-before-seen moment.
• First Flight: The Fleischer Superman Series: An appreciation piece for the series.
• The Fleischer Studios Superman: Featuring 9 episodes of the animated series.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional content.
• Superman II: Restoring the Vision: Insights into the restoration process.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional scenes from both cuts.
• Famous Studios Superman Animations: Including 8 episodes of the series.

Superman II, notable for its complex production history and polarizing directorial changes, still commands attention in its 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation. The movie, initially helmed by Richard Donner who filmed it concurrently with its predecessor, faced a significant shake-up when Donner was dismissed and replaced by Richard Lester. This switch resulted in a patchwork film, blending aspects of epic heroism with a tilt towards less serious, sometimes comical interpretations of potentially grave scenarios. This particular edit, now available in the Superman I-IV 5-Film Collection 4K, provokes a mixed sense of nostalgia and critique regarding its pacing, thematic coherence, and character treatment.

The technical upgrade to 4K does bring Superman II into the modern era with enhanced picture and sound quality that may split some opinions but generally meets high standards. The film's narrative, involving Superman's confrontation with three Kryptonian villains and his romantic entanglement with Lois Lane, presents a dual structure that struggles to find harmony. Lester's portrayal dilutes the potential depth of the story, especially in the way it handles its antagonists and the mythic elements inherent in the Superman saga. Despite these issues, the considerations of character dynamics, particularly between Lois and Clark/Superman, offer moments of genuine engagement.

Praised by some for its light-hearted approach yet critiqued by others for a lack of gravitas and inconsistency, Superman II stands as a testament to what could have been under different circumstances. The subsequent release of the Donner Cut provides an alternative vision that many find more cohesive and respectful to the original characters and themes. Within the Superman I-IV 4K collection, this film occupies a distinct place - embodying the challenges and changes of its time while showcasing the technological advancements in home media presentation that allow both old fans and new audiences to reevaluate its legacy.

Superman II's transition to the 4K UHD format provided by Warner Bros. is an impressive feat, offering fans of this classic sequel a choice between the original theatrical release and the later Richard Donner Cut. The upgrade to native 4K resolution brings out the fine details, rich colors, and deep blacks in both versions, with the Donner Cut slightly surpassing its counterpart in visual finesse. Audio enhancements are notable; both versions have been equipped with newly minted Dolby Atmos tracks. Although the Donner Cut benefits from a more cohesive sound environment that complements its immersive surround experience, the Theatrical Cut's audio, despite its separation issues, remains engaging.

In addition to the technical marvels of this release, the 4-disc set retains all previously released extras but misses the opportunity to introduce new content to enrich the fan experience further. This release, part of a special Steelbook Edition covering Superman I - IV, is a treasure trove for enthusiasts, released on 17 April 2023 without any new bonus material. Despite this, the detailed image and sound quality make Superman II in 4K UHD a worthy addition to any collection. Its execution underscores the film's historical significance as a sequel and a piece of cinematic history, enhanced for contemporary audiences while maintaining its original charm.

In conclusion, while Superman II's foray into 4K UHD may fall short in delivering new insights or supplements, it undeniably succeeds in presenting this beloved sequel with remarkable visual and auditory improvements. Whether one prefers the Theatrical release or ponders what could have been with the Donner Cut, this edition offers a compelling reason to revisit the skies of Metropolis. Despite minor sonic imperfections and a lack of fresh extras, the overall package remains a commendable effort by Warner Bros., ensuring that Superman II, in all its iterations, continues to soar high in the imaginations of fans old and new.