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Previously...
Superman: The Movie
On the far away, technologically superior planet of Krypton, the traitors General Zod, Ursa and Non are unanimously found
guilty of attempting to orchestrate a coup and are banished to the Phantom Zone. Their prosecutor, Jor-El, thereafter implores
his fellow council members to evacuate the planet which he believes has grown unsafe as a result of seismic disturbances.
The council rejects such argument and warn him that any scare-mongering will be seen as a sign of insurrection. Jor-El reluctantly
agrees that neither he, nor his wife Lara will leave Krypton however they secretly make plans to send their infant son, Kal-El,
to Earth. Lara is concerned by this choice as Earth is primitive compared to Krypton however Jor-El notes that their
son will need this advantage to survive. He further comments that his dense molecular structure will make him stronger. Jor-El
places inside the ship crystals containing amassed knowledge of the known galaxies.
"You will make my strength your own. I will see my life through your eyes, as your life will be seen through mine. The
son becomes the father and the father the son."
Moments after the ship blasts off, Krypton is hit by a wave of tremors and is destroyed. Two of our Earth years later,
Kal-El's ship lands in a wheat field in Smallville, Kansas, where he is found by Jonathan and Martha Kent and raised as their
own child, Clark. Although he possesses great speed and strength, Clark keeps his powers hidden from his peers. When Jonathan
dies of a heart attack, the young Clark is devastated that despite all his power, he was unable to save him. At age 18, he
discovers the crystal placed inside his ship by Jor-El. Instinctively travelling north, he throws the crystal into the frozen
wastes. From this, the Fortress of Solitude grows up. Jor-El appears to him and for the next 12 years tutors his son across
time and space.
Upon his return to civilisation, Clark takes a job as a reporter at The Daily Planet in Metropolis. Shortly thereafter,
his co-worker Lois Lane is nearly killed in a freak helicopter accident. "Superman" makes his first appearance that night.
The spirit of Jor-El accepts his son's decision to make his powers known however cautions that he should retain his secret
identity to protect those around him.
Meanwhile, self-proclaimed criminal genius Lex Luthor, sabotages two missiles, with the aim of destroying half of California.
After his first, near fatal, encounter with Kryptonite, Superman is able to stop the missile heading for New Jersey however
is too late to prevent the second missile striking the San Andreas Fault. In the ensuing earthquake, Lois, who was covering
the story of desert land being sold for high prices, is killed. Distraught, Superman ignores the teachings of his father that
he must not interfere with the history of mankind, flies high above the Earth and spins around the planet, reversing time.
Lois is duly "saved" and Lex Luthor dropped off at the nearest peniteniary.
Superman II
Foiling a terrorist attack on Paris, Superman hurls a bomb into space, thus inadvertently freeing General Zod, Ursa and
Non from the Phantom Zone. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor escapes from prison and learns the location of the Fortress of Solitude.
Whilst posing as newlyweds to uncover a scam at Niagra Falls, Lois becomes increasingly convinced that Clark is
in fact Superman, to the extent that she hurls herself into the raging waters, certain that he will reveal his true identity.
He manages to save her whilst retaining his secret, however later that evening inadvertently reveals himself when he trips
and emerges unscathed despite his hand falling into a fireplace. Determined to tell her everything, Clark takes Lois to the
Fortress of Solitude. He then consults the spirit of his mother, Lara, who advises that if he wishes to live with a mortal then
he must become a mortal. Inside the Fortress is a chamber harnessed with the powers of Krypton's red sun. This will reverse
his molecular structure and make him human. Now a normal man, Clark and Lois become lovers, blissfully unaware of the destruction
Zod and his followers have brought to Earth.
When he finally becomes aware of the situation, Clark makes the long trek back to the Fortress and is able to regain
his powers. However, the odds prove too great. Superman knows that he cannot risk innocent human lives fighting the Kryptonians
on the streets of Metropolis and he returns to the Fortress. Lex Luthor, hoping to be given a beachfront property, "Australia"
shows Zod the way to the Fortress. Once again, Superman appears to be at a disadvantage however prior to the villain's arrival,
he alters the molecular chamber so that those standing outside it will be rendered human. Zod and his cohorts are defeated.
A distraught Lois bemoans the fact that she cannot reveal her true feelings for Clark/Superman and how worried she is about
him. Clark kisses her, when he breaks away she has forgotten the events of the last few days.
Now...
Superman Returns
Following the defeat of General Zod, Superman vanished for six years (at the same time, Clark Kent went "travelling").
He returns to find the world has learnt to live without their saviour and, on a more personal level, that Lois has moved
on with her life - not only is she in a steady relationship but she has a five year old son.
Meanwhile Lex Luthor continues his relentless quest for land, planning to create a new continent with a deadly twist.
Superman: The Movie (1978)
Directed by Richard Donner
Screenplay: Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman & Robert Benton
Starring: Marlon Brandon, Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder
Superman II (1980)
Directed by Richard Lester
Screenplay: Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman
Starring: Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Terence Stamp
Superman Returns (2006)
Directed by Bryan Singer
Screenplay: Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris
Starring: Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey
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