Awesome / Superman: The Movie

”Easy, miss. I’ve got you.” “You— You've got me? Who’s got you?!”

• The iconic theme by John Williams, especially in the beginning in a massively grand opening, as the public realizes that the superhero movie can be a grand blockbuster epic. This especially goes for when the music hits its height as Superman's chest symbol appears, as an icon of heroism at its most godlike.
• One would think that when the first credit appears on the screen, that the titles are run-of-the-mill Hollywood special effects, with it enlarging towards the viewer, until they start SWOOSHING AND ELONGATING into beams of light, with appropriate sound effects! The principle behind the visual effect was first seen in 2001: A Space Odyssey, (essentially the same principle as taking a photograph in a low-light environment with moderate lighting in the background, and accidentally bumping the camera, causing streaks of light on the film; except in the movie, it's a controlled effect) and it was such a good effect that later films in the franchise couldn't replicate it until SUPERMAN RETURNS!
• As Krypton is ripping itself apart, Jor-El and Lara calmly watch as their son's ship safely soars away.
  • Krypton's destruction itself counts, if only for its Visual Effects of Awesome. Prior to this, we've only seen it in comics, heard about it on the radio, and have seen less than stellar special effects on the movie serials and TV shows. Here, however, the apocalypse is shown in all its world-shattering glory.
• The first time Superman saves Lois. From the slow-but-sure Theme Music Power-Up as the situation escalates, to the hilarious Mythology Gag moment when he approaches the phone booth only to realize that it's useless because it's not only too small, but not enclosed like the ones from the 1930s onwards. As Lois is about to fall, Clark Kent finally finds a place to change. As Kent charges for the revolving door, he finally rips his shirt open, revealing his chest symbol as the theme hits its crescendo. With his Secret Identity Change Trick revealed, he takes off to save to save the night, it's all perfect. And the dialogue is just golden.
  Superman: Easy, Miss, I've got you.
  Lois: You've got me!? Who's got you!?
  Reporter: I can't believe! I just cannot believe it; he got her!
  • Gets even more awesome a few seconds later, when he catches the helicopter with the other hand and the soundtrack blares triumphantly.
  • The film's tagline was "You'll believe a man can fly". In this scene, they made good on that promise.
• Jor-El's amazing speech at the end of Kal's education in the Fortress of Solitude. There are people whose parents weren't even alive when this was made, who can quote the speech word for word.
  Live as one of them, Kal-El. Discover where your strength and your power are needed. But always hold in your heart the pride of your special heritage. They can be a great people, Kal-El, they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you... my only son.
• Superman catching the first rocket and pushing it into outer space. Awesome by itself, but consider all he does when he can't stop the second missile. He allows an AmTrak train to use his body as a railroad track; catches a schoolbus as it's falling off the Golden Gate Bridge, AND... goes down beneath the crust of the Earth and lifts the San Andreas Fault back into place.
  • And he tops it all off, when he discovers he was too late to save Lois, by flying around the Earth to TURN BACK TIME.
  • Although to be honest, he would have been even more awesome if he'd handled the rogue missiles like this.
    • Which was the original plan.
• Christopher Reeve's entire performance throughout the films, actually making it plausible that no one would notice Clark and Superman had the same face. In particular, there's the scene where he almost reveals his secret to Lois, where we actually see Reeve switch between the personalities on camera in a single take.
  • Watch the scene, he was switching to all of Superman's personalities like it's as easy as flipping a switch. Entering as Clark Kent, switching to Superman, then when he smiled and played with his glasses he was for a rare instant himself and not the inconspicuous Clark or the hero Superman that people see, then when he chickens out of telling Lois who he really is, he switches back to the Clark Kent in midsentence. You'll believe a man can act. Seen here.
  • There are many other small moments where Superman peeks out through Clark Kent, then vanishes again, such as when he smiles to himself after catching the bullet in the alley. It's astonishing subtle acting that makes it easy to fall in love with Clark Kent and Superman, and makes it completely believable that Lois can watch Superman fly off her balcony, open her door to Clark Kent ten seconds later, and not notice any connection.
  • Penn Jillette was once quoted thus: "It's a testament to Christopher Reeve's acting ability when he says, 'I'm here to fight for Truth, Justice, and the American Way.' How do you utter that line without it sounding corny? He does it."
• Lex is for the most part a Large Ham who is Played for Laughs, but for one moment, the pure evil is allowed to show, when he venomously throws Superman's posturing back in his face, "You were great in your day, Superman. But it just stands to reason. When it came time to cash in your chips, this "diseased maniac" would be your banker. Mind over muscle?"
  • He gives a hint of what he's truly capable of a moment earlier. He laughs and jokes about making up a story of putting people in danger to lure Superman in. Superman asks, contemptuously, "Is that how a warped brain like yours gets its kicks? By planning the deaths of innocent people?" Luthor drops the comical act immediately and says, calmly and quietly, "No, by causing the deaths of innocent people." It counts as a Wham Line if you have any doubts — Luthor is a psychopath who has no problem whatsoever with committing mass murder For the Evulz.
• The teaser trailer, with the music contributing to its sheer epicness.
• We get a glimpse of baby Kal-El's super strength as he lifted the truck for Jonathan.
• Zod's Establishing Character Moment.
  "You will bow down before me, Jor-El! I swear it! No matter that it takes an eternity! YOU WILL BOW DOWN BEFORE ME! BOTH YOU, AND THEN ONE DAY, YOUR HEIRS!!"
  • Moments before that, after the Council declares Zod and his cohorts guilty, Zod tells Jor-El he must vote as well since it "must be unanimous", and that he will hold Jor-El solely responsible for the verdict. Jor-El's crystal glows in response, indicating that he also declares them guilty, not at all intimidated by his threat.

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