Film Summary C ( Superman )

Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound or at least that's how it used to be. Superman's been flying for over 50 years now, he's been a cultural phenomenon for almost 80, that's quite a record to hold. But more important than any of that he's been a sign of Hope, Justice and the sincerity of man in are darkest days.
It's for this reason that he remains my favorite of all superheroes, he has no Vendetta, he doesn't fight for Revenge in fact his best moments he doesn't fight at all. He is kind-hearted, generous and willing to help anyone that needs it.

This film represents a dream, the dream to take the most phenomenal, spectacular and dazzling character from the pages of a simple comic book and stick it onto the Golden Screen and as the tagline says "you will believe a man can fly".

The planet of Krypton home to an advanced hyper intelligent race doomed to die. Jor-El (Marlon Brando) attempting to warn the High Council of their demise (and believe to be a crackpot or a conspirator for it) resorts to an extreme measure sending his only son Kal-El off-planet on a journey to Earth with a library of the entire history of the Kryptonian race. Crash landing on Earth in the United States of America (pacifically the state of Kansas) to be discovered by a simple Farm couple who decide to raise and nurture the boy (naming him Clark Kent). Bringing him up on true traditional American values, teaching him the value of humanity and instructing him in the idea of humility, using what intellect and power you have for the betterment of your fellow man.

As time goes on young Clark comes across a mysterious green Crystal that sends him on a journey to the Arctic Circle. Here he will discover the Fortress of Solitude where he learns of his past and the potential of all he's powers from his father (a kind of crystallized computer program with the insights and personality of Jor-El) for the next 12 years.
This is where the film truly begins as Superman goes to the city of Metropolis taking on the "persona"* of the bumbling but lovable reporter.

I love the variety of what Superman does in this movie from saving a cat out of a tree to saving Air Force One from crashing, Superman does it all even saving Lois Lane following from the top of a building (I've seen the internet try to rip this apart this scene a few times, saying that Superman could not possibly save her, that he would do more damage. I say of course Superman can save her he has perfect control over his strength he can manipulate shock. This is a reason why when he turns a door handle he doesn't crush it in his hands).
There's even a little time for a bit of playful Romance particularly the interview scene. Superman explain his origin to Lois Lane and later takes her on that flight over the city in what has become one of the most famous scenes in movie history.

You can't have a classic Superman movie without Lex Luthor and who better than Gene Hackman to play Lex Luthor as an insane psychopath with an absolute sense of ego. He doesn't spend this time talking about how evil he is or trying to be a dark monster. He swims around in the pool and has a playful banter about him. Making him all the more chippy which shows his plans to be more nefarious as he decides to destroy the entirety of the western coast to recreate his new Costa Del Lex.

Superman must attempt to save the day (and in a way he fails to do this) an atomic bomb blows up at the San Andreas fault line.
In trying to assist with the aftermath of such a devastating explosion. Superman is able to save the majority of people, though he loses Lois Lane. This sends them into a bit of a frenzy wear he spin Back Time.
We get to see the main ark of Superman here. With two conflicting ideologies the first is that of his Kryptonian father instructing him not interfere with human history but only help and serve them. Second is from he's Earth father 'Jonathan Kent'
informing him that he has a purpose in life that has existence on Earth is for a very particular reason.
Superman chooses the latter and in doing so saves Lois Lane. All is well as he sends Lex Luthor to the State Penitentiary. ending on that iconic shot of him staring into the camera as he flies into space.

*The film operates on the idea that Clark Kent is a persona for Superman. I don't mind this but I've always found it more likely that Superman was the Persona for Clark Kent. He wasn't Superman when he came to Earth he became Superman after many years.

I can't think of another movie I'd rather watch more than Superman is the Pinnacle of all films for me. It's the movie I grew up with and it's a movie I'll most likely see at least another 20 times (God willing)

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