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'All-Star Superman' Animated Movie Review
by Neil Cole
"All-Star Superman" is the latest entry from the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series and is an adaptation of the Grant Morrison, Eisner Award-winning comic book storyline of the same name.
The movie is one that Superman fans have been anxiously waiting for and follows the same formula of adapting a popular story from the actual printed pages of a comic book series or graphic novel to pull in an audience.
The film involves "Lex Luthor who, fueled by hatred and jealousy, masterminds an elaborate plot to kill the Man of Steel - and it works. Poisoned by solar radiation, Superman is dying. With weeks to live, he fulfills his life's dreams - especially revealing his true identity to Lois Lane - until Luthor proclaims his ultimate plan to control the world with no alien hero to stop him. Powers fading, Superman engages in a spectacular deadly battle with Luthor that could truly trigger the end of Earth's Greatest Protector."
The movie does a fantastic job of adapting Grant Morrison's 12-issue comic book series leaving very little left out. Key points of the original storyline that make the leap to the animated film include the appearance of Samson and Atlas, Lois achieving super-powers, Clark revealing his secret identity to her and giving an in depth tour of the Fortress of Solitude. Even Clark's interview with Lex in prison and the appearance of Bar-El and Lilo is included.
However, due to the time constraints of a seventy-five minute run-time, some key moments from the comic are left out. These include the entire Jimmy Olsen/Superman wars as well as Clark's visit with Jonathan Kent. There is also no mention of Bizarro at all or Superman saving a suicidal girl.
The writers and animators do a wonderful job of staying loyal to the comic book storyline during the film's final moments which showcase Lex Luthor acquiring powers for twenty-four hours and battling a weakened Superman. In the end, Superman waits for the inevitable end to come and it is amazingly presented.
"All-Star Superman" also features a stellar cast of actors to voice the film's characters. James Denton (Desperate Housewives) is on board for the role of Clark Kent and Superman for the first time while Christina Hendricks (Firefly) takes on the role of Lois Lane. The supporting cast features a virtual whos-who of the acting world including Anthony LaPaglia ("Without a Trace") as Lex Luthor, seven-time Emmy Award winner Ed Asner ("Up," "Lou Grant," "Working Class") as Perry White, and Golden Globe winner Frances Conroy ("Six Feet Under," "Happy Town," "How I Met Your Mother") as Ma Kent. Even Michael Gough, who starred as Alfred in the original four Batman movies, has a role in the movie.
While most all of the DC animated films have received a PG-13 rating but "All-Star Superman" garners a much deserved PG rating due mostly to the fact of less violence and adult language than that of past comic adaptations from DC.
Overall, "All-Star Superman" does a superb job of following the original story-line of the 12-issue comic book series. The film will keep you entertained and offers an ending that reveals that sometimes, even the strongest among us struggle.
DETAILS
All-Star Superman 2-Disc Special Edition DVD features approximately 1 1/2 hours of exciting extra content, including:
Feature film (est. 75 min)
Sneak Peak at Green Lantern: Emerald Knights, the next DC Universe Animated Original Movie
Featurette: "Superman Now" - In a moment of inspiration, Grant Morrison was provided an opportunity to revamp the Man of Steel into something modern, something more relevant for today's audience. This is the story of All-Star Superman - where it all started, and what it came to be.
Two bonus episodes from animated television series handpicked by Bruce Timm
All-Star Superman Blu-Ray Combo Pack includes approximately 2 1/2 hours of intriguing bonus features, starting with all of the content available on the 2-Disc Special Edition DVD and adding:
Featurette: "Incubating the Idea" - A conversation with Grant Morrison
Audio Commentary: Bruce Timm and Grant Morrison
All-Star Superman Digital Comic Book
Standard and high definition versions of the feature film
Digital copy on disc of the feature film
"The All-Star Superman comic was the work of two immensely talented creators at the absolute top of their game," said Geoff Johns, Chief Creative Officer, DC Entertainment. "Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's All-Star Superman is one of those modern classics, and I can't wait to see it brought to life as an animated film."
"Grant Morrison's fascinating comic vision comprised all the aspects of a truly great film - action, drama, fantasy, romance, sacrifice and hope - and the animation team of Bruce Timm, Sam Liu and Dwayne McDuffie have passionately translated that vision into an enthralling movie experience no Superman fan can resist," said Hersin Magante, WHV Marketing Director of Family and Animation. "As the next entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies, All-Star Superman stands as a shining example of the creative heights possible from the partnership of Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video."
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