Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

There is a part in Superman: Doomsday that captured the entire essence of the movie. It had nothing to do with any of the great battles or even Superman himself, at least not directly. It had to do with the impact of his loss to the ones who knew him best.

Lois Lane, ace reporter of The Daily Planet and a strong-willed, independent woman, is at, for probably the first time in her life, at loss for words. She has just lost the man she loves and has no way to find an outlet for her grief. There is only one person on the planet that might be able to understand the pain she is going through, and she seeks to find solace with Martha Kent. It’s the first meeting between these two women and it had to happen under the worst circumstance. But it’s a very awkward meeting to begin with in the first place. For you see, though Lois is dating Superman, she doesn’t know he’s Clark Kent, or at least she has her suspicions. It’s only when this one secret is confirmed that any awkwardness disappears between them. They really now have something to share between each other.

The Death of Superman captured the world’s interest back in 1993. Superman has “died” many times before that, mostly in imaginary tales, so why was this one any different? Because, for the first time, it didn’t look like he was ever going to return. But he did return, as many comic book fans knew it would happen. Inspired by this tale, Warner Bros adapted it to make Superman: Doomsday, a direct-to-DVD animated film, the first of many in a new project of animated movies based on DC Comics storylines. How it was going to be done was the most curious part of the project and one I definitely had to check out.


How to Kill The Man of Steel? Let Me Count the Ways!

Lex Luthor makes an incredible discovery when his excavation team unearths an alien artifact. However, it houses a very dangerous and powerful alien powerhouse, one that is bent causing pure destruction. This “Doomsday” creature is a killing machine and only Superman has any chance of stopping the monster’s rampage. But their ferocious battle leads to the demise of both combatants. The rampaging monster has been stopped but at the cost of Earth’s greatest hero.

The world mourns, especially Lex Luthor but not for the same reasons as everyone else. He feels like he got cheated out of destroying Superman. However, when a familiar Man of Steel returns, he might get his chance. But there is something different with Metropolis’ protector, something that is starting to scare its citizens. Has death changed his perspective to the point where the people who once loved him now fear him?


Superman Unleashed!

I’m going to say it right off the bat: I liked this movie. But it took a few viewings for me to really absorb what was presented. This is a darker, more adult look at Superman’s world and it will probably disappoint some people at the mature portrayal. This will account for the PG-13 rating, and both DC and Warner Bros. take every advantage of it.

The violence is much greater than one would expect. Those thinking they are going to be watching an episode of Superman: The Animated Series or even Justice League will be in for a rude awakening. This is something that goes beyond that. Violence, bloodshed, murder, death and sexual relationships are shown. The PG-13 rating is most appropriate and parents should be aware of that before letting young children watch this movie. Yes, this is Superman, but not a Superman movie that should be left unattended. Think more along the lines of Superman II in those terms, only in animated form.

As for the story, it was better than I expected considering a lot of alterations had to be made. Those expecting a direct translation from the comic book story will be severely disappointed. Keep in mind that three years worth of stories had to be condensed down into 75 minutes of airtime (though why it had to be 75 minutes is beyond me). So with that in mind, many things had to be cut out and many changes were made for the story to make sense.

Bruce Timm has overseen the DC Animated Universe since 1992 when he first worked on Batman: The Animated Series. If anyone knows how to do this properly, he is the man. But keep in mind that his movie doesn’t fall into any continuity that has come before it. It’s a standalone movie that is contained in its own universe.

The animation is an evolution of the current style sheets from the Justice League models, yet at the same time combines a lot of elements from preliminary sketches that were used before Superman: The Animated Series. These really aren’t character redesigns but sketches that were never used in the first place. It actually works very well in the overall grand scheme of things. Metropolis is more realistic-looking rather than the clean Art Deco style used in Superman: The Animated Series. The movie is supposed to be more grounded in reality than fantasy, though a flying man and an alien monster would contradict that statement. I do like the different camera angles and ways of presenting Superman’s flying ability. It makes his movement much more natural.

A lot of Easter eggs are thrown into this movie. I couldn’t help seeing scenes that give a nod to the Superman movies, such as Superman and Lois flying over the city, Superman landing on Lois’ balcony, Superman rescuing a cat from a tree, even Lois misspelling words. There are also tributes to the various creators. One in particular is Superman standing on top of a perch in a pose that superstar artist Jim Lee created for a poster and a statue. Superman’s relationship with Lois Lane is reminiscent of Superman II where the two get intimately close. This could be seen as a continuation of that. So many different elements taken from Superman’s illustrious history have been included in some fashion.

The voice acting really takes some getting used to after listening to the same particular set of voices over the years, but I think the cast was wonderfully selected.

Adam Baldwin gives his interpretation of Superman/Clark Kent, though Clark is barely seen at all in the movie except for two scenes. I thought he did a great job in this role. Is he better than Tim Daly or George Newbern? Each actor has voiced Superman for different shows and Baldwin’s interpretation is good for this movie. Interestingly, Baldwin was Bruce Timm’s first choice to voice the Man of Steel for Superman: The Animated Series. I guess Timm finally gets his wish.

I didn’t think I was going to like Anne Heche as Lois Lane but she grew on me very quickly. She may not have that strong presence that Dana Delany has, but she can bring softness when the situation requires that really gives Lois a more rounded feel to her character.

James Marsters was a very interesting choice to voice Lex Luthor. I’m going to say right now that I will always hear Clancy Brown as the voice of Lex Luthor. He just makes him feel absolutely threatening and evil. However, Marsters brings a cockiness that I enjoy. I love how Luthor is always standing high above Metropolis in his ivory tower. In fact, he is always dressed in white. That says something about the way he perceives himself.

I’m not one who can be surprised anymore, but this movie surprised me at every turn, even though I knew the entire story beforehand. I’m a bit disappointed at the length of the film as it clocks in at 75 minutes. I think the time constraint had more to do with budget costs, but that’s just speculation on my part. However, a story of this magnitude needs to feel epic and I didn’t get that sense at all. In particular, I thought the funeral scene was completely glossed over to the point that it felt like no time had passed between Superman’s death and return. It’s a shame because it’s the whole “World Without Superman” storyline that was the most interesting part.

The extras are great. The documentary featuring the original creators of the 1993 storyline provide wonderful insights as to why the whole The Death of Superman story came about in the first place and the impact it had in the comic book industry. There is also an excellent sneak peek at DC’s next animated movie project titled Justice League: The New Frontier, another adaptation from a comic book story. Speaking of New Frontier, an exclusive comic book of the same name is included but only if this movie is purchased from Best Buy.

Marvel Comics started a new enterprise with its direct-to-DVD animated features with Ultimate Avengers, Iron Man and Doctor Strange. DC Comics is trying this route as well with Superman: Doomsday as its inaugural piece. This is a Superman that looks familiar but at the same time feels more mature. This isn’t your daddy’s Super Friends version at all, so take heed when watching the Man of Steel unleash his fury with his mighty Kryptonian fists. It can be a very jarring experience.


Also Included:
• “Requiem and Rebirth: Superman Lives!” — documentary about how the DC Comics team decided Superman’s fate
• Commentary by Producer Bruce Timm, Writer Duane Capizzi, Voice Director Andrea Romano and Executive Producer Gregory Noveck
• Exclusive sneak peek at “Justice League: The New Frontier”
• “Behind the Voice” featurette
• “Superman’s Last Stand Challenge” — interactive game
• “The New Frontier” comic book — Best Buy exclusive


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Other Comic Book Movies
DC Comics
Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941) || Batman (1943) || Batman: The Movie (1966) || Batman (1989) || Batman Returns || Batman Forever || Batman & Robin || Batman Begins || Batman: Mask of the Phantasm || Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero || Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman || The Batman Superman Movie || Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker || Catwoman || Constantine || Superman: The Movie || Superman II || Superman II: The Donner Cut || Superman III || Superman IV: The Quest for Peace || Superman Returns || Superman: Brainiac Attacks

Marvel Comics
Daredevil || Doctor Strange (2007) || Fantastic Four (2005) || Ghost Rider (2007) || The Invincible Iron Man (2007) || The Punisher (2004) || Spider-Man || Spider-Man 2 || Spider-Man 3 || Ultimate Avengers: The Movie || Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther || X-Men || X2: X-Men United || X-Men: The Last Stand

Independent Comic Books
The Mask of Zorro || Men in Black || Popeye || Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles || Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze || Transformers: The Movie (1986) || Transformers (2007)


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**This is part of CopeSullivan's 50 Reviews By Halloween Write-Off. This is 20 out of 50. I'm not even halfway yet.




Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older