The DC Universe Animated Film series has been on a roll with putting out constant quality animated features based on various popular stories from all over the DCverse for the past few years. From Justice League: The New Frontier, to Batman: Under the Red Hood, this series of releases headed up by legendary superhero animation mastermind Bruce Timm has offered us many varied experiences, each very differently styled from the last. The newest addition to the series Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, which is now available on Blu-ray!
An adaptation of the second Superman/Batman graphic novel and continuing off from where Superman/Batman: Public Enemies left off, we follow as a Kryptonian ship crash lands to earth holding in it another surviving member of Superman's race. This time it is Kara (voiced by Summer Glau), his cousin sent to follow in Kal-El's footsteps. Upon her arrival, she creates quite a scene as she experiences her newly found powers granted to her by earth's sun while on the run from the Dark Knight who was investigating the crashed ship. It's not too long before she runs across good ol' Supes as he takes her in and takes care of her, while Batman who as always, is distrustful of Kara fearing she may be dangerous.
We spend the some time following Kara and her experiences assimilating into Earth culture and watching her act like a normal teenage girl. Before long gloom and doom rears its ugly head in the form of Darkseid who wants Kara as his most powerful warrior by capturing her and controlling her mind. Batman and Superman team up with Wonder Woman as they go to rescue Kara from Darkseid's evil clutches upon Apocalypse.
I must commend DC on once again getting both Tim Daly and Kevin Conroy to reprise their respective roles as both Superman and Batman as those of us who grew up watching all the DC Animated Universe shows will never see anyone else as the definitive Batman and Superman voices besides those two. Kevin Conroy is not given too much to do as the story is mostly focused on Superman. Batman actually ends up being used for comedic effect throughout the film. Both actors are in top form here and sound exactly like you remember them.
Rounding out the cast is Summer Glau as Kara/Supergirl and Andre Braugher as Darkseid, sadly neither of the two seem terribly comfortable when stepping into the iconic roles. Summer Glau, best known for her roles in Firefly and Sarah Conner Chronicles comes across as being monotone at times, making it hard for audiences to really connect with Kara. Andre Braugher, while bringing a more theatrical sounding voice to the role of Darkseid, misses all the depth and menacing the character is really supposed to convey.
DC has been trying to pull out big names from the A-List for all of their DC animated films but in this case it really doesn't work, especially when paired against vets like Daly and Conroy.
The animation quality and music on the other hand are as great as ever. The fight sequences are highly enjoyable in all their spectacle to watch and the music always keeps the mood of it all.
Special Features:
–DC Showcase: Green Arrow– This new short, written by Spectacular Spider-Man's Greg Weisman, features our favorite Emerald Archer taking on his nemesis Merlyn!
On his way to pick up girlfriend Dinah Lance from the airport, Oliver Queen (Green Arrow) is distracted by an assassination attempt on Princess Perdita. Green Arrow takes on the dark archer known as Merlyn, before Count Vertigo shows up to do the job his cronies couldn’t. A battle commences and eventually Dinah (Black Canary) shows up and rescues both Princess Perdita and Green Arrow. Green Arrow then proposes to Black Canary, she accepts, and a makeout sequence begins. We’re not given much else in the way of character development or story here, but what can you expect in 10 minutes. Regardless, the animation is great and it’s another welcome addition to the already robust list of special features.
-The Fourth World: The New Gods – Brief look at the history of the New Gods and the menace of Darkseid.
–The New Gods: Featurette Profiles of Orion and Mister Miracle
–Supergirl: The Last Daughter of Krypton Featurette
–4 additional bonus TV series episodes handpicked by Bruce Timm: Superman: The Animated Series episodes "Little Girl Lost" Parts 1 and 2, and "Apokolips Now" Parts 1 and 2.
–Digital copy on disc of the feature film
Overall:
This DC animated feature will please those who have read the original storyline in its comic form but even then fans may come away from it feeling its lacking something. Bringing back Conroy and Daly should please a lot of people and hopefully, they will keep being used for more DC Animated features. Casual fans and people who are unfamiliar with the source material may come away feeling confused and let down but still entertained by the the lengthy fight scenes.
ComicsOnline.com gives Superman/Batman: Apocalypse 4 Kryptos out of 5.
Get your copy of Superman/Batman: Apocalypse on Blu-ray at Amazon.
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