If I had just seen the Donner footage I would have said there was nothing wrong with it. And then the SoJ version has a real economy to it and makes it a much better action beat. Kudos.
I disagree with a lot of what Tweaker said. I don't see a problem with the pace or the lifting.
I do agree that Reeves has a stupid grin on his face. It looks like you could fix that by cutting away from him sooner (keep the audio but put it over other footage).