Superman II was one of my favorite movies growing up. I believe I saw it before the first one, so that may be why I liked it more. The first also takes a while to get going (at least it did for me). I didn't care about the Krypton scenes, and really only got in to it when Clark left his home. I did think it was really sad when his dad died (Kent, not Jor-El).
It was so many years later when I read about the whole issue regarding II, Donner, Lester, and all that. I am glad the released the Donner Cut. Even if it is not a polished film, and some of the scenes/takes seemed to play better in the Lester version (or maybe that was just because I was so used to those scenes), I am glad it exists.
General Zod is my number 2 favorite film villain of all time.
"There is one man who will never bow down before you."
"Who is this imbecile?"