Superman/Batman: Apocalypse

Tragic Angelus · Post by **Tragic Angelus** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 5:51 pm

Gotta say, this was much better than the previews give it credit. I wasn't sure how much of the story to expect or would be cut, but overall, it was almost identical to the source material.

It's only been about 5 months since I read the Supergirl story, but this was spot on to my memory of it.

Having Tim Daly and Kevin Conroy as Superman and Batman of course was fantastic, but getting Susan Eisenberg as Wonder Woman made me incredibly happy, as she provided the voice for her on the Justice League Unlimited series. I know not everyone liked her voice there, but here it's much more regal, strong, and powerful, as if the actual re-design of Wonder Woman added more to her character's voice as well. I didn't recognize her name, but the second she spoke I knew it was her and it made the film that much better.

As for Wonder Woman, she's in the film as much as she is the story. The previews make it seem like she's hardly there, but there are fewer scenes with just the 2 title characters than there are with her with them or just one of them. From the moment she shows up, she's not really absent.

Big Barda being included was great, as were the Furies and Granny Goodness. Everyone included in it did a fantastic job. My only complaint was not having Michael Ironside as Darkseid. Andre Braugher provided the voice here, and it wasn't bad, but I'm so used to Ironside that it was a big letdown in that department.

The art is really a blend of the Turner style and the DCUA. It keeps a lot of his designs, style, and feel but blends them in here and there. You could really see it the most in Kara, Apocalypse, Darkseid, and Gotham/Batman, but it wasn't as apparent in Superman and Wonder Woman. I think it's only because they weren't drawn as thin as he normally would but rather a bit more traditional, but the blending was a great piece of work.

The story deviates a little when they get back to Earth and head to the Kent Farm, for those of you who know the story, but that's really the only difference. It's not a bad one, but one that let me down in the littlest bit only because of what it left out.

And the Green Arrow short was pretty fun as well. Merlyn was a nice touch, but it was the very end with another appearance that was pretty nice. Overall, not a bad short, which has become a really good addition to these films.

Overall, 2 good stories and a great representation of the Supergirl story. It still doesn't top the 2 JLA films, but man this one is just great fun, and definitely better than the previous Superman/Batman film, and again far better than the 1st solo films for the 2 characters (tho I can't speak for the new Red Hood film as I've not seen it yet).

Mr Wallstreet · Post by **Mr Wallstreet** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:56 am

Scrolled right through it!

before I read it can you let me know if there are any spoilers in it?

Tragic Angelus · Post by **Tragic Angelus** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 8:19 am

Not really. Just voice work, animation style, and how often WW is in it, since that was an initial concern some had.

I do mention that it deviates at one point, but not how.

jedispyder · Post by **jedispyder** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 1:21 pm

Bought it and about to watch it after I'm done baking my Pumpkin-Kahlua Marbled Cheesecake. Can't wait ^_^

jedispyder · Post by **jedispyder** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 1:01 am

Really loved this. Wish they would have done a In Memory of Michael Turner, but at least he was given credit.

I did not like the voice actors of Granny Goodness and Darkseid. Granny, to be truthful, sounded exactly like a guy and even made me doubt it being a female for a second, lol! Darkseid was just off a bit, still ok but wish they had stuck with the original voice actor (wonder why he couldn't do it).

Tragic Angelus · Post by **Tragic Angelus** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 1:53 am

Um, dude, Granny Goodness IS a guy. Ed Asner has been doing the voice of Granny since the Superman: The Animated Series days, and he came back to do this as well to keep w/ DCUA consistency, like with Daly, Eisenberg, and Conroy.

Personally, I love his Granny voice, and I think it fits very well with that scary, creepy, haunting voice in the body of an older woman. The irony in her name and actions alone seems to call for a voice like his doing the role to add depth and layers to how she comes off. But that's just me.

I totally agree on Darkseid though. Really would've liked the whole team from the regular DCUA to come together voice-wise on this one.

Mr Wallstreet · Post by **Mr Wallstreet** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:07 am

Based on Tragic's reviews, I'm really excited for this film right now. Any time Daly & Conroy or any of the original voice actor's return, I'm there. I am officially unable to like a DCAU film when the principal voice actors from the old series aren't there. This is a huge bias I have and I cannot get over it. It'll definitely affect how I view DCAU films but whateves.

About the art style, being a fan both Turner and the classic DC style, I'm happy that there was a bit of a blend (though not a lot based on what was written). And having Wondy, Granny & Darkseid will be something I'm looking forward to.

I just got Under the Red Hood tonight, so I'll try and watch that today or over the weekend.

Great review guys

jedispyder · Post by **jedispyder** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 9:56 am

I know the voice actor is a guy, I'm saying it made me think that Granny Goodness was actually a guy in the comics. I know Ed Asner did her before, I'm just saying he's not a great fit, IMO.

Tragic Angelus · Post by **Tragic Angelus** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 10:44 am

Oooh ok. I read that as you thought the voice actor was a guy. I though 'well congratulations! you're right!' ha. I dig him though, because I think Granny should have a masculine voice. It adds to the concept that she's cruel, harsh, and terrible. Because when you see and hear her, you should end up thinking 'there's no goodness there' so I like what he does.

As for the Turner art, Wally, it's very noticeable in some areas, and seems lacking in others.

For example, you can see it in the buildings and scenery nearly everywhere, and Supergirl herself seems to really be a Turner-esque character. The female characters for the most part resemble his, but not necessarily in body, but more often in costume.

Batman, though he reminds me of one of the Batman episodes in the Gotham Knight DVD, still has that Turner style to him from time to time, though he also (to me) gave a very anime feel at times as well.

Superman seems to be the very predominant character lacking any Turner influence. He's much closer to the Crisis on Two Earths Sueprman than a Turner one, in my opinion.

Darkseid was drawn like Turner drew him, rather than the costume used in the DCUA previously. A lot of stuff on Apocalypse, like the guard's armor and the hounds really resembled Turner's style, even if they weren't exactly the same.

Honestly, I think you'll understand it when you see it. You can clearly see his influence, but it's not as bold as the Cooke or McGuinness versions of art used in their respective films. If you know Turner's art, you'll know where it influenced the look of the story.

jedispyder · Post by **jedispyder** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 5:33 pm

I do agree that her voice needs to be rough and gravelly, just don't agree it needs to be a masculine voice. Take a look at Kathleen Turner, she has a rough voice that would probably work for Granny Goodness and not have her sound like a man.

Sandman · Post by **Sandman** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:49 pm

crap I was at wamart today getting Iron Man 2 and I thought this movie cam out as well but I could not find it! not that I can afford it right now anyway I will pick it u wen it is reduced

jedispyder · Post by **jedispyder** » Fri Oct 01, 2010 4:34 am

I got mine at Super Wal-Mart, it was below Iron Man 2.

Tragic Angelus · Post by **Tragic Angelus** » Fri Oct 01, 2010 9:21 pm

Yup. Same was mine. And if you get the single disc, it's only $12 I think. The plus side of Blu Ray is DVD prices are dropping a bit, which I dig.

jedispyder · Post by **jedispyder** » Sat Oct 02, 2010 9:31 am

Singe disc was $15 at my Super Wal-Mart, so it was only an additional $5 for the two disc set.

Sandman · Post by **Sandman** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 11:14 am

well I down loaded it and watched it ( I will buy if for sure later) I loved it I thought this was the most true to the comic adaptation I have ever seen! I thought it was great!

Mr Wallstreet · Post by **Mr Wallstreet** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 2:08 pm

I finally saw this movie yesterday.

Short review - I liked it

Loved Barda & Wonder Woman's cameos. This was definitely done in the Michael Turner style of art and done very well.

Darkseid & Granny Goodness were done pretty well but Darkseid took a little getting used to. It wasn't the Darkseid from S:TAS or JLU so it was a little adjustment but it didn't ruin the film for me.

Having Conroy, Daly & Eisenberg as Supes, Bats & Wondy was just all around perfect, although I would have preferred Keri Russel. I thought Russell's Wonder Woman was great from start to finish.

More later

Tragic Angelus · Post by **Tragic Angelus** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 5:02 pm

I like Keri's WW, but I felt like Eisenberg really upped her game here for this film and did an awesome job. She was Warrior WW and less Exploring Man's World WW through and through.

And yeah, Darkseid was my only major complaint of the film as a whole.