@socketwench - "That film didn't really follow up on that thread, instead focusing entirely on Kal-El's origin story."

As the original version of the movie was designed, Superman never turned back time. The missle that was supposed to hit Hackensack goes into space and releases the three prisoners. That was supposed to be a cliffhanger ending. However, when Superman II's filming was halted, they ended up using the turn-back-time element in the first movie and therefore trashed the cliffhanger. So there was going to be a bookend with the prisoner originally.

"We're watching the Richard Donner Cut tonight, so I'm guessing there will be minor differences from my recollections."

Oh, holy fuck no. There will be MAJOR differences....