Written by: Duane Capizzi & Bruce Timm
Directed by: Lauren Montgomery, Bruce Timm & Brandon Vietti
Voice Actors: Adam Baldwin (Superman), James Marsters (Lex Luthor), Anne Heche (Lois Lane)
Direct-to-DVD release date: September 18, 2007
Superman/Doomsday
This review is over two years past due. Sorry to keep you waiting.
If you waited 25 years for an adaptation of the classic (is it too soon to be a classic?) Death of Superman story, then the wait is over. Superman/Doomsday isn’t a true adaptation, but about as close as you can get in a one-shot animated story.
If you were expecting the movie to have the cast and themes of the Superman Animated Series (STAS) you are in for a surprise. Superman/Doomsday is a more adult-oriented, mature story – as would befit an adaptation of this story. Gone are the familiar Tim Daly, Dana Delaney and Clancy Brown; replaced by James Marsters (Spike from Buffy/Angel), Anne Heche (is she still around?) and Adam Baldwin (Jayne from Firefly and Casey from Chuck). That is the first clue that something is different in Denmark. The new cast performs adequately, but you never quite shake the absence of the familiar voices. By the end of the movie, it feels like you’ve finally gotten used to a movie whose lips don’t quite sync up with the dialogue. You know, like watching an Ashley Simpson video.
Superman/Doomsday is well done. The animation, while (slightly) different from the Animated Series holds its own and the plot is well-executed, if not entirely faithful to the original story. Where the story departs from the original (about halfway in), if you aren’t hung up on the history of the tale, the story works.
This is definitely not a movie for kids. The themes are a little mature and there is a lot of talking and time in between some exceptional Superman fights. On the other hand, there are some very well done Superman/Lois and Luthor scenes in all that talking, so the grown-ups won’t be disappointed.
The theme and content of the story are definitely a different direction for DC Animation. You can see where they are going with this – especially with the up-coming release of stories like “Under the Red Hood”, which will focus on the return of (the once-dead) Jason Todd. What we have to look forward to are more “faithful” adaption geared for a mature audience, not necessarily “all audiences”. And that is not to say that STAS and Batman the Animated Series (BTAS) didn’t do a good job. The one thing I wish were different though is the animation style. If the plan is to be a departure from the JLU (cartoon) and Superman the Animated Series and Batman the Animated Series, then the style of the art should reflect that change. In fairness, future animated movies look like they are doing just that.
Overall, Superman/Doomsday exceeds expectations, such as they are for such a thing that has sat on the shelf for two years. There are elements that will be familiar to comic readers and to fans of Superman from other genres (i.e., the movies).
Grade: B (Plot: B/Art: B-)
An Ongoing Monologue
Or what you would have heard if you were the dog sitting next to me on the couch
The following is the “director’s cut”, if you will for the review above. Much of what is here is actually not in the review. It is on one hand flow of consciousness writing and on the other, constant readers (from the Roswell days, yes I’ve been “reviewing” for almost a decade) will recognize this as a familiar writing style. Enjoy.
Not safe for kids #1: In the middle of the World
A long time ago Disney mastered mixing adult themes into their animation without overtly crossing the barrier from “kid friendly”. Jamming something up Satan’s rectum isn’t exactly Disney-subtle or necessary for the moment. Mind you, I’m not a prude, but the crassness seemed out of place and unnecessary.
Easter Egg #1
The two scientists Luthor mentinons: “Swan & Schaffenberger” are Curt Swan and Kurt Schaffenberger, legendary 70’s Superman artists!
Doomsday: the Origin
The discovery of Doomsday on Earth was a nice re-imagining of the character’s origin. On one hand it doesn’t require the story to start in space and on the other it lends some credence to the aforeknowledge that the Kryptonians knew of Earth. It is even reasonable that not everyone (like say Jor-El) knew of Doomsday’s ancient imprisonment. It’s not like they would have wanted anyone to go out and dig up this unstoppable weapon.
Missing Men
With no disrespect to two Whedon Corps. Alumni, James Marsters (Lex Luthor) and Adam Baldwin (Superman), the show misses Tim Daly and Clancy Brown.
Superman II
From the Supes & Lois “romantic fortress getaway” to the Supes & Doomsday street brawl, there is a very familiar (Donneresque) feel to the first Doomsday battle.
At first it seemed insane that Doomsday would pick Lois (who can fly a helicopter!?!) and Jimmy’s chopper to jump on. Then you notice that it is the only thing flying in the sky. Some police choppers or US Army Blackhawks might have been a nice touch here, but who is going to nit-pick.
Not safe for kids #2: Whoa that is a lot of blood!
In the battle with Doomsday, Supes is taking a pounding. In one scene a very artistic spray of (Supes’) blood gets splattered on Lois’ face. Nicely done, sends the message, we get it. Cut to the next scene, where Supes is on his hands and knees literally vomiting a stream of blood. Okay, that was a bit over the top. You really had us at the over-dramatic splatter on Lois.
Remember those comics
As Superman emerges from the pit he and Doomsday created, there are a couple of nice (if not exact) tributes the original Death of Superman comics: the flag and Lois holding him. There are probably more scatter throughout, but it has been about 25 years since I’ve seen those issues!
Not for kids #3: Ma Kent
About 30 minutes into the movie, Superman is dead and Lois pays a visit to the Kent farm, where she breaks down in front of Ma Kent. It is about this point it becomes all-too clear that this not for kids. It makes sense to replace the voice cast and (ever-so) slightly alter the animation style. This is (meant to be?) an entirely different Superman.
The Return to (Richard Donner’s) Superman
Is it just me, or does Lois’ balcony look just like her movie balcony! If not, it’s close enough to put her “right at home”.
The Return of Superman (Luthor-style)
Oh… at first the return seemed too quick, there wasn’t enough build-up and then the pay-off. A clone!!! Nicely done Mr. Luthor, well played.
“Bigville”
Why I haven’t ever read or heard that expression before is beyond me. Smallville and “Bigville” with apologies if I missed it somewhere (like the Smallville TV show which I disdain).
Stunning Visual Direction
There are is some very cool imagery throughout the movie. The scene of the Super-clone hovering in front of the dead girl’s image is both breath-taking and haunting. The same can be said for the shot of the murderous Super-Clone hovering before the full moon, ala Batman.
The Return
“On this world, the laws of human death do not apply to you, Kal-El.” - Supes’ Robot
Well, that’s better than nothing I suppose.
Life threatening matters
“My beef isn’t with the kitty, it really irks me when people don’t take responsibility for the little things.” - Super-clone.
Superman saves an old woman white Persian long hair from a tree and proceeds to stand on the street lecturing her about irresponsibility. Awesome. Even more awesome, as Super-clone stands there he pets the cat and conjures visions of Dr. Evil… (okay maybe not Dr. Evil, maybe that bad guy from James Bond, but the first thing that came to the juvenile brain was Dr. Evil).
“I’m tired, quitting The Planet. Moving on.” – Lois
You will go a long way before you find a great line like that.
Wow! When Lois Lane rifles through files, she really rifles through files!!! Of course, the mess she makes and the very old-school folder she pulls out of the drawer begs the question, uhm, and why was all that printed out? But I digress.
The Final Battle(s)
Once Lois and Jimmy discover Luthor’s Superman-farm, the story really kicks into high gear, in a good way. Super-clone v. the Kryptonite Room was awesome; it’s always nice when his own creations outwit Luthor.
Superman’s return and battle with Super-clone had all the requisite smashing and destruction that you would hope and even a bit of heroic effort from the leading lady.
“You gonna’ wear the red and blue suit again? 'Cuz, I like that one better.” – kid in the park
From your animated lips to Superman’s (and Spider-man’s for that matter!) ears!
