Superman: Doomsday (2007)
Dir. Lauren Montgomery, Bruce Timm
Cast: (voices) Adam Baldwin, Anne Heche, James Marsters, Ray Wise
Screened: from DVD through cables to TV observed by eyes attached to body on couch
Fav. Quote: “Lame!” courtesy of a Kevin Smith cameo.
Okay, admittedly I am a DC Comics guy. It is well documented I am a Green Arrow freak, and among the few titles I currently subscribe to at the comic book store, I would say 9 out of 10 fall into DC territory. So, it is within reason that I was looking forward to the straight to DVD release of “Superman: Doomsday.” I actually was hoping to catch one of the two screenings at this year’s Comic-Con, but as often is the case with the Con, plans are a wonderful way to breed disappointment. So, semi-content with my oversized Superman goody bag in San Diego I set in to wait for the home video opportunity.
All that being said, SUCK IT MARVEL!!! Seriously, bias or no, DC just has a way better track record at animating its heroes. From the half hour joyfests that are Justice League, Batman, and Teen titans, DC understands how to translate their characters into well drawn, dense 2-D moving pictures. Marvel? Need I point out the recent direct to video Dr. Strange or maybe the Fantastic Four? Horrible. And the Iron Man disc was unwatchable at times. They try to be too slick and stylized without paying respect to the rich history of illustration that preceded them. I think DC takes a more respectful approach to their attempts and tosses in the comical, irreverent dialog to boot. I never get Marvel humor really. It’s like Dane Cook to me or recent Robin Williams. FF kind of, but not entirely. Anyhoo, not to turn this into a why I like DC better bash fest, on to the show!
“Doomsday” is the telling of the best selling graphic novel of all time, the death of Superman. A phenomenon I was vaguely aware of at the time it happened but only recently have I sprung an appreciation of the Man of Steel so I skipped it back when. So, I will only address the story elements of this movie and not the comic, since I am incapable........ sort of.
Good old dependable Lex Luthor has a team of lackeys drilling away to the center of the Earth or something and they stumble across a large spaceship/prison that was apparently buried in our planet like as it formed. Science? Hell no!! This is a comic book dammnit! Anyhoo, someone’s drill slips and out pops a bad bad man named Doomsday. Doomsday’s basic motivation in life is to destroy, kill, reduce to rubble, annihilate and watch Gilmore Girls. Okay, I made that up, but the dichotomy of it all is fascinating to think about.
Within 20 minutes or so, the story hits its zenith with the death inducing prize fight between Supes and Dooms. And might I say, holy smokes! If you’ve read the comic, then you know that for static art the fight feels huge. Well, here in moving pictures it feels sun destroying, universe swallowing gigantic!! Live action or cartoon, this fight sequence will go down as one of the best ever. Right along with Rowdy Roddy Piper in “They” where he street fights for like 35 minutes. That one kills me every time. The punches are not pulled, the destruction is not tame. These two heavyweights act like heavyweights, beating the pulp out of each other at every turn. Beatings are taken and given with no mercy. This is the way I’ve always wanted to see Superman use his strength. the live action flicks and TV stuff just always felt suppressed. Not in “Doomsday.” The end of the fight and Supes death seems a little anti-climatic, but I was so breathless by then I didn’t care.
The bulk of the show then continues in dealing with the aftermath of a Metropolis, a world, without their savior. Lois meets Mrs. Kent, Jimmy goes rogue as a trashy paparazzi, and super villains plot their big heists. The Toyman strikes first but is suddenly stopped by.... Superman? The resurrection. But why does Lex look so smug? Needless to say, nefarious plans are at play here and as the new Superman learns more about himself, he is challenged by an old friend who feels he might be overstepping his bounds. “Doomsday” is an epic story of death and rebirth told as only the comic book world can tell it.
At 75 minutes, it runs a little short for me. Well done, but I feel they could have really delved into the universe more. There was a conscious decision by the producers to leave out the rest of the DC heroes, but I would have liked to have seen the reaction by them more than Jimmy feeling abandoned. Especially Batman. The whole Bats and Supes dynamic is awesome and to see Wayne mourn for someone else than his parents intrigues me. The film doesn’t suffer from their absence, but I would have liked to have had it.
What can I say? This falls into the “buy” category for me. If you are a fan, then there is no way you won’t enjoy this over and over again. With the added docs and content, this disc has some serious durability. Plus, Adam Baldwin as Superman! Jayne!! If only we could get that Jayne knit hat on Clark Kent, now that would be a disguise!
I grant 9 out of 10 shards of Kryptonian crystal to Superman: Doomsday.
Dir. Lauren Montgomery, Bruce Timm
Cast: (voices) Adam Baldwin, Anne Heche, James Marsters, Ray Wise
Screened: from DVD through cables to TV observed by eyes attached to body on couch
Fav. Quote: “Lame!” courtesy of a Kevin Smith cameo.
Okay, admittedly I am a DC Comics guy. It is well documented I am a Green Arrow freak, and among the few titles I currently subscribe to at the comic book store, I would say 9 out of 10 fall into DC territory. So, it is within reason that I was looking forward to the straight to DVD release of “Superman: Doomsday.” I actually was hoping to catch one of the two screenings at this year’s Comic-Con, but as often is the case with the Con, plans are a wonderful way to breed disappointment. So, semi-content with my oversized Superman goody bag in San Diego I set in to wait for the home video opportunity.
All that being said, SUCK IT MARVEL!!! Seriously, bias or no, DC just has a way better track record at animating its heroes. From the half hour joyfests that are Justice League, Batman, and Teen titans, DC understands how to translate their characters into well drawn, dense 2-D moving pictures. Marvel? Need I point out the recent direct to video Dr. Strange or maybe the Fantastic Four? Horrible. And the Iron Man disc was unwatchable at times. They try to be too slick and stylized without paying respect to the rich history of illustration that preceded them. I think DC takes a more respectful approach to their attempts and tosses in the comical, irreverent dialog to boot. I never get Marvel humor really. It’s like Dane Cook to me or recent Robin Williams. FF kind of, but not entirely. Anyhoo, not to turn this into a why I like DC better bash fest, on to the show!
“Doomsday” is the telling of the best selling graphic novel of all time, the death of Superman. A phenomenon I was vaguely aware of at the time it happened but only recently have I sprung an appreciation of the Man of Steel so I skipped it back when. So, I will only address the story elements of this movie and not the comic, since I am incapable........ sort of.
Good old dependable Lex Luthor has a team of lackeys drilling away to the center of the Earth or something and they stumble across a large spaceship/prison that was apparently buried in our planet like as it formed. Science? Hell no!! This is a comic book dammnit! Anyhoo, someone’s drill slips and out pops a bad bad man named Doomsday. Doomsday’s basic motivation in life is to destroy, kill, reduce to rubble, annihilate and watch Gilmore Girls. Okay, I made that up, but the dichotomy of it all is fascinating to think about.
Within 20 minutes or so, the story hits its zenith with the death inducing prize fight between Supes and Dooms. And might I say, holy smokes! If you’ve read the comic, then you know that for static art the fight feels huge. Well, here in moving pictures it feels sun destroying, universe swallowing gigantic!! Live action or cartoon, this fight sequence will go down as one of the best ever. Right along with Rowdy Roddy Piper in “They” where he street fights for like 35 minutes. That one kills me every time. The punches are not pulled, the destruction is not tame. These two heavyweights act like heavyweights, beating the pulp out of each other at every turn. Beatings are taken and given with no mercy. This is the way I’ve always wanted to see Superman use his strength. the live action flicks and TV stuff just always felt suppressed. Not in “Doomsday.” The end of the fight and Supes death seems a little anti-climatic, but I was so breathless by then I didn’t care.
The bulk of the show then continues in dealing with the aftermath of a Metropolis, a world, without their savior. Lois meets Mrs. Kent, Jimmy goes rogue as a trashy paparazzi, and super villains plot their big heists. The Toyman strikes first but is suddenly stopped by.... Superman? The resurrection. But why does Lex look so smug? Needless to say, nefarious plans are at play here and as the new Superman learns more about himself, he is challenged by an old friend who feels he might be overstepping his bounds. “Doomsday” is an epic story of death and rebirth told as only the comic book world can tell it.
At 75 minutes, it runs a little short for me. Well done, but I feel they could have really delved into the universe more. There was a conscious decision by the producers to leave out the rest of the DC heroes, but I would have liked to have seen the reaction by them more than Jimmy feeling abandoned. Especially Batman. The whole Bats and Supes dynamic is awesome and to see Wayne mourn for someone else than his parents intrigues me. The film doesn’t suffer from their absence, but I would have liked to have had it.
What can I say? This falls into the “buy” category for me. If you are a fan, then there is no way you won’t enjoy this over and over again. With the added docs and content, this disc has some serious durability. Plus, Adam Baldwin as Superman! Jayne!! If only we could get that Jayne knit hat on Clark Kent, now that would be a disguise!
I grant 9 out of 10 shards of Kryptonian crystal to Superman: Doomsday.
