2009 Movies
Batman/Superman: Public Enemies
Watch at home, with Sara
Another in a rapid fire series of direct to DVD cartoons that DC Comics seem to be all about lately. Generally speaking, I support the idea. I liked the Wonder Woman cartoon. Green Lantern: First Flight was pretty good. And I get what they're doing. They're building their fan base and keeping their current fans happy. Now, when a little kids parents get him the GL or Wonder Woman cartoon, and he likes it, he's way more likely to buy the books or see the movies that will eventually come out. Gotta hook 'em while they're young.
But back to Batman/Superman :Public Enemies. It was really short. Too short, actually. The story lends itself to a full 90 minute movie, why they wimped out and gave us 67 minutes is beyond me.
It stayed pretty true to the comic book line. Some things were made simpler for the newbie audience that might be tuning in. A couple of changes, frankly, made no sense to me. For example, casting Power Girl as the insecure member of Luthor's super squad. Uh...have you guys actually read a story involving Power Girl? Aside from her massive boobs, her whole character is based on being brash and aggressive and strong willed. Couldn't you have used a character who's already the insecure type to be the voice of doubt?
Other elements of the story were cut for what, in a live action movie, could have been attributed to budget constraints. However, this is a fucking cartoon people. Why on earth would we be concerned? For example, the massive smackdown in the middle of the story is, for some reason, NOT happening in the reflecting pool in downtown DC. It's happening just around some generic city. What, we couldn't afford to film in DC? Oh right...cartoon.
And why cut Green Lantern from the story? The comic has Green Lantern #3, John Stewart as part of the government's super-team, but here he's mysteriously absent. Did you guys feel that with Black Lightning and Katana on the team you already had your quota of minority characters? And you had to mess with Black Lighting's powers anyway to get him to accomplish some of the things that GL did in the comic book anyway. And futhermore, it's not like John Stewart as GL is unknown in the DC Cartoon Universe, he was part of the Justice League Cartoon that was on a couple years ago (and may still be, for all I know).
....this has become a really long review....clearly my geek is showing. I'll sum up by saying it's enjoyable and a worthy addition to the DC cartoon line up. However, I think it could have been more.
Watch at home, with Sara
Another in a rapid fire series of direct to DVD cartoons that DC Comics seem to be all about lately. Generally speaking, I support the idea. I liked the Wonder Woman cartoon. Green Lantern: First Flight was pretty good. And I get what they're doing. They're building their fan base and keeping their current fans happy. Now, when a little kids parents get him the GL or Wonder Woman cartoon, and he likes it, he's way more likely to buy the books or see the movies that will eventually come out. Gotta hook 'em while they're young.
But back to Batman/Superman :Public Enemies. It was really short. Too short, actually. The story lends itself to a full 90 minute movie, why they wimped out and gave us 67 minutes is beyond me.
It stayed pretty true to the comic book line. Some things were made simpler for the newbie audience that might be tuning in. A couple of changes, frankly, made no sense to me. For example, casting Power Girl as the insecure member of Luthor's super squad. Uh...have you guys actually read a story involving Power Girl? Aside from her massive boobs, her whole character is based on being brash and aggressive and strong willed. Couldn't you have used a character who's already the insecure type to be the voice of doubt?
Other elements of the story were cut for what, in a live action movie, could have been attributed to budget constraints. However, this is a fucking cartoon people. Why on earth would we be concerned? For example, the massive smackdown in the middle of the story is, for some reason, NOT happening in the reflecting pool in downtown DC. It's happening just around some generic city. What, we couldn't afford to film in DC? Oh right...cartoon.
And why cut Green Lantern from the story? The comic has Green Lantern #3, John Stewart as part of the government's super-team, but here he's mysteriously absent. Did you guys feel that with Black Lightning and Katana on the team you already had your quota of minority characters? And you had to mess with Black Lighting's powers anyway to get him to accomplish some of the things that GL did in the comic book anyway. And futhermore, it's not like John Stewart as GL is unknown in the DC Cartoon Universe, he was part of the Justice League Cartoon that was on a couple years ago (and may still be, for all I know).
....this has become a really long review....clearly my geek is showing. I'll sum up by saying it's enjoyable and a worthy addition to the DC cartoon line up. However, I think it could have been more.