Driving a rift between the two lovers so soon after their relationship is introduced also helped to heighten the stakes of the movie and make their third-act embrace feel even more impactful. It also paid homage to the many interviews the two characters have shared throughout Superman adaptations while feeling entirely distinct.

8

Superman Rises From The Rubble

As Lex Luthor’s egotism culminates in the near-obliteration of Metropolis, Superman once again prioritises individual lives by preventing a building from collapsing on a straggling citizen. As this incredible demonstration of power allows her to drive away, Superman’s silhouette can be seen rising from the dust and rubble, continuing to watch over her safety.

Although the substance of this scene mirrors that of Superman prioritizing the life of a squirrel over destroying a Kaiju, the scene’s composition was instantly iconic. The image of Superman rising from the rubble moments after ensuring every Metropolis citizen was saved captures Superman’s messianic appeal and could easily become one of the most enduring images of the entire DCU.

7

Superman Switches His Fortress Of Solitude Recordings

After the devastation of learning the true intent behind his biological parents’ decision to send him to Earth (to subjugate, not protect, its inhabitants), Superman is faced with an existential crisis. After using his biological parents’ message to soothe him in the Fortress of Solitude, this revelation prompts Superman to replace it with images of his upbringing with the Kents.

The tear-jerking moment symbolizes Superman’s true humanity once again. Superman‘s ending sees him flouting the misunderstood wishes of his parents by continuing to protect humanity, a motive he comes to recognize was instilled in him by his adoptive parents.

6

The Justice Gang Intervenes In Jarhanpur

Lex Luthor thwarts Superman’s attempt to quell the first invasion of Jarhanpur and distracts him in Metropolis as he orchestrates another. Despite Lois failing to convince the Justice Gang to help with the issue beforehand, the Justice Gang ultimately steps in and repeats what Superman achieved, subduing the Borovian invaders and preventing future antagonism by killing the president.

The Justice Gang’s actions represent a change of heart for Green Lantern and vindicate Superman. In his interview with Lois, Superman ᴀsserts that protecting lives supersedes the political implications of intervening, and the Justice Gang’s decision to step in for Superman shows their heroism.

The way in which they subdue the invaders is also highly entertaining. Hawkgirl’s screaming ᴀssault on the President has already secured her as a fan-favorite. At the same time, Guy Gardner’s effortless swatting of several tanks with hand-shaped constructs flipping the bird embodies both his power and personality in one swoop.

5

Krypto Ragdolls Lex Luthor

Krypto steals the show in almost every scene in which he appears, but it’s one of his final scenes that sticks in the mind. Once Superman, Krypto, and Mister Terrific triumph over Luthor’s designs, Superman confronts his rival in his headquarters. As they exchange words, Krypto soars in and proceeds to throw Lex Luthor effortlessly around the room, terrifying his cronies.

Superman shows restraint when confronting Lex Luthor, as his superior strength is implicit. Krypto, however, has repeatedly proven to show no such restraint and happily appeases the audience by giving Lex Luthor some just desserts for his actions.

4

Pa Kent’s Heart-To-Heart

After escaping Luthor’s pocket dimension, Lois takes Superman to recuperate at the Kent farm. When he recovers, Pa Kent finds Clark brooding over the entirety of his Kryptonian parents’ message and notices his low mood. When Clark ᴀsserts that he wasn’t who he thought he was, and that he was sent to hurt people, Pa Kent responds:

“Parents aren’t for telling their children who they’re supposed to be. We are here to give y’all tools. To help you make fools of yourselves all on your own. Your choices, Clark, your actions. That’s what makes you who you are. I’ll tell you something, son. I couldn’t be more proud of you.”

The moment is arguably the most heart-rending in the entire movie, and has already secured itself as one of the best Clark and Pa Kent interactions ever adapted. Pa Kent’s words clearly get through to his son, as Superman continues to act as virtuously as when he believed his biological parents’ message to tell him so.

3

Lex Luthor’s “1-A” Monologue

When Superman tried to prevent Lex Luthor from tearing a rift in reality, Ultraman is once again sicced on him. When Ultraman, guided by drones, gains the upper hand, Lex Luthor delivers an impᴀssioned monologue about his motivations. He ᴀsserts that Superman’s adoration is unearned and serves as a reminder of humanity’s weakness, stating:

“I’m not dim. I know envy consumes my every waking moment. 13-L. I know when they mention Galileo or Einstein or one of these other twits in the same breath as me, I feel a tide of vomit burn the back of my throat. But at least Galileo did something. He wasn’t some dopey Venusian catapulted onto this planet just to have the world fawn over him because his strength illuminates how weak we all really are. So my envy is a calling. It is the sole hope for humanity because it is what has driven me to annihilating you.”

The scene is one of Luthor’s best, as not only does he earnestly admit to his envy, but he delivers a rather convincing justification for it. His pᴀssion then reaches a fever pitch as he repeatedly instructs Ultraman to use the move “1-A,” which consтιтutes a punch to the face, helping to underpin his evident hatred of Superman.

2

Superman’s “Human” Monologue

After gaining the upper hand and moments before Krypto arrives to rough up Lex Luthor, Superman delivers his own impᴀssioned monologue after Lex derisively calls him an alien. In response, Superman, now more ᴀssured than he has been until this point, states.

“I’m as human as anyone. I love, I get scared. I wake up every morning and despite not knowing what to do, I put one foot in front of the other and I try to make the best choices I can. I screw up all the time, but that is being human. And that’s my greatest strength. And someday, I hope, for the sake of the world, you understand that it’s yours too.”

This speech is arguably Superman’s greatest moment in the movie, summing up the various factors that have humanized him throughout the runtime in this final monologue. David Corenswet’s Superman is as human as the Man of Steel has ever been, and this characterization shines most brightly at this moment.

1

Mister Terrific’s ᴀssault On Fort Kramer

When Mister Terrific agrees to join Lois Lane to help Superman, the two enter the camp housing Lex Luthor’s pocket dimension portal and a small army of private soldiers. Then, to the upbeat tune of Noah and the Whale’s “5 Years Time,” Mister Terrific proceeds to unleash his T-Spheres, making short work of Luthor’s Raptors with a ᴅᴇᴀᴅpan expression.

Mister Terrific’s standout scene is possibly the best action sequence in Superman. His methodical take-down of Lex Luthor’s heavily armed guards was so polished that it made Mister Terrific feel like the most powerful member of the Justice Gang. Needless to say, the sequence was enough to have fans clamoring for a Mister Terrific solo movie.