Synopsis:

This edit cuts out what I consider to be the most egregiously silly bits in SUPERMAN IV, and cuts in portions of the deleted footage from the extras (which is in execrable condition, BTW) that helped fill out the story. Of course, this still leaves plenty of dumb stuff in the movie. But the entire plot is essentially two parts dumb to one part tedious, so if one were to cut out all of the "dumb" one would only be left with a very short, tedious film. My hope is that I've kept enough of the dumb stuff to make the viewing experience at least bearable.

Intentions:

The goal of this fan edit is not to turn SUPERMAN IV into a great movie. I don't believe that is possible. What I wanted to do was make a movie that I could enjoy, and though I still might hate myself for having watched it in the first place, I could feel better about myself by the next day.

Change List:

- Moved Superman saving the cosmonaut to pre-credits, deleting the unfortunate decapitation of the cosmonaut action figure. This idea was mentioned in a number of threads and it was so good that I appropriated it. Thanks to whoever thought of it first. - Cut in deleted footage of Superman's visit to little Jeremy's school (overlaying re-used footage of Superman leaving New Yo.. err, Metropolis, to replace unfinished effects shot). - Inserted deleted footage of Luthor cooking up his genetic goop. - Deleted the whole bit of Lois coming to Clark's apartment and their subsequent flight and amnesia kiss. I really hate this scene. It reminds us of the "can you read my mind" flight in SMTMP and Lester's amnesia kiss in SM2, both of which are much better movies than SM4. The last thing this movie needs to do is remind us of two better Superman movies. And besides, the years had not been too kind to Margot Kidder (not that they were any better to Chris Reeve a few years later), so I felt it better just to delete this whole bit. - Re-purposed footage of Clark Kent watching Soviet Premiere on TV, juggling the footage a bit, to help explain Clark's decision to rid the world of nuclear weapons. - Cut the first US missile launch and moved the Russian missile launch and Superman's disposal of the weapons to later in the film. I felt that two US missile launches (the later one carrying Luthor's genetic goop) were a bit redundant, so I've deleted the first launch and saved the Russian missile launch and Superman hurtling the bunch of missiles into the sun for later). - After the launch of the missile carrying Luthor's genetic goop, cut the last shot of Superman hurtling the lone missile into the sun and insert a flipped cut of the last shot of Superman guiding the first US missile into space, followed by the Russian missile launch and Superman's disposal of the bunch of missiles. - After the missiles explode in the sun, cut in the birth of Nuclear Man and subsequent footage. - Deleted shot of Nuclear Man levitating and spinning Lenny. This shot really sucks. - Deleted destruction and repair of the Great Wall of China. Really? - After Lois's visit to the sick Clark, cut in the deleted footage of Luthor selling arms to the Russians (love the shoe pounding on the table bit) and the US. - Cut in additional deleted footage of Clark's advance sickness and exit from kitchen to rooftop (trimming a bit in the middle). - After Nuclear Man sees Lacy's picture, cut in scene of Lacy and Warfield at the Daily Planet, followed by Nuclear Man's abduction of Lacy. - Cut in deleted footage of Lacy and Luthor confronting Nuclear Man in Luthor's lair and subsequent footage. - After Superman's somewhat callous use of Lacy as "bait" in the cut-in footage, Superman returns Lacy to Metropolis, followed by NM. We then cut to the Battle of Metropolis. - Deleted NM levitating pedestrians during the Battle of Metropolis and Superman de-levitating them back to the sidewalk. Another shot that is just too silly. - After Superman digs himself out of the hole on the Moon (yes, I kept the fight on the Moon and Superman digging himself out of the hole on the Moon--I know there's no air on the Moon and he's breathing heavy, but there is an infinitesimal atmosphere on the Moon, and if anyone can breath it, Superman can), deleted all visual cues that NM had taken Lacy into space. I really hate Lacy in space. I deleted a couple of redundant shots of Superman moving the Moon into a solar eclipse in order to lose the footage of NM carrying Lacy away from the Earth and pasted over re-used footage of Superman returning Lacy to Metropolis and then flying back from Metropolis to retrieve the depowered NM. The only shot left of Lacy against a star field is during the solar eclipse, when it would be dark and you could see the stars anyway. - After Perry White tells Warfield that he has bought the Daily Planet out from under him, I cut in the deleted footage of Lacy and Clark saying goodbye in the Taxi. This is a really sweet scene that should have been left in the release version of the film, IMO. - During Superman's final orbital flyby after returning Luthor to the prison work crew, I cut in deleted footage of the cosmonauts waiving at Superman because why not. It makes a good bookend matching the start of the film.

Additional Notes:

- Deleted scenes.

Other Sources:

-

Special Thanks:

Thanks to Zarius and coinilius for their helpful suggestions and kindness in helping a newcomer.