Hey there Sweaties! I’m wanting to add some variety of content to my page here so I’m going to change it up a little bit by talking about not only one of my favorite animated DC movies, but also what I consider to be a great adaptation of what was already a great comic book. This post I’ll be discussing the animated adaptation of Superman\Batman: Public Enemies! Let’s get into it ya sweaty nerds!
PLOT
Adapted from the comic book story arc of the same name, written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Ed Mcguinness Superman\Batman: Public Enemies was adapted as part of Warner Bros. Animation’s line of direct to video movie line-up. Released on September 29th, 2009. It is also Produced by Legendary DC animation producer Bruce Timm, cast by equally legendary voice casting and director Andrea Romano, and brought back fan favorite actors Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly, and Clancy Brown to play the voices of Batman, Superman, and Lex Luthor respectfully.
The Plot starts with a massive Kryptonite meteor heading straight for Earth. Newly elected President of the United States of America, Lex Luthor decides that the level of Kryptonite radiation from the meteor may begin to effect Superman’s mind thus making him a potential threat to the world. In reaction to this, President Luthor places a large bounty on the Man of Steel’s head. Naturally, this doesn’t sit very well at all with the Man of Tomorrow, who with the help of The Dark Knight Batman to help him clear his name in time to stop Luthor’s evil plan beneath this meteor scheme.
Along the way, Superman and Batman will encounter both heroes and villains alike, notably characters such as heroes Captain Atom and Power Girl who have come to believe that Luthor has mostly changed his ways since taking the Oval Office and agree to work for him.
Superman having his complicated, and more often than not aggressive, history with Lex Luthor of course doesn’t take very well to this. Emphasizing to the other heroes that he will “never trust him! He’s a sick man!” Shortly after this, we get a sequence in which President Luthor addresses the country and openly invites Superman to meet with him so they can discuss a plan to take out the Kryptonite Meteor.
This inevitably leads to a heated encounter between Luthor and the Man of Steel. During this moment, we learn that one of Luthor’s security guards is none other than John Corbin AKA Metallo! the man-turned-android foe of Superman’s with a Kryptonite heart! Following an intense battle between the two enemies, Batman arrives just in time to save an injured Superman after he is shot in the chest by a Kryptonite bullet by Metallo!
Not being able to resist his old nefarious ways, President Luthor uses this incident with Metallo to frame Superman for his murder. Blaming the effects of the radiation emanating from the meteor for being the cause of Superman’s seemingly irrational and violent behavior, putting a bounty on his head!
Without getting too heavily into spoilers, the rest of the flick follows Batman and Superman as they travel the world in an effort to not only stop Luthor’s evil plot, but to find a way to stop the meteor before it hits the Earth. Encountering and sometimes fighting a variety of characters along the way!
SPECIAL FEATURES
The film sports a lovely 1080p High-Definition picture which really highlights how the colors pop and really showcases how well it’s animated. The Blu-ray also includes more than three hours of special features! Special features including featurettes for four other DC animated movies, A retrospective on the dynamic and chemistry of Batman and Superman as characters, and my personal favorite, “Dinner with DCU and special guest Kevin Conroy” A wonderful bonus special where Producer Bruce Timm, Voice Casting and Director Andrea Romano, a representative from DC Comics, and Voice of Batman himself Kevin Conroy as they share a meal together and discuss the movie, as well as the legacy of the characters in animation and pop culture. An absolute must watch for fans!
FINAL THOUGHTS AND GRADE
Overall, Superman\Batman: Public Enemies is a wonderful, action filled team up adventure with the two greatest superheroes of all time! It’s animated beautifully with some truly top tier performances by fan favorite actors for these parts and serves up some truly phenomenal character work in the process!
I’m going to give this movie a solid 4\5 due to mostly minor nitpicks. Namely some of the character designs in this flick aren’t the greatest. There are a few moments throughout where it’s distractingly noticeable that they were blending digital effects in with 2D animation. Some areas of the film could be lengthened or shortened for better effect. Mostly minor issues in what is overall a really solid adaptation of a great comic staring my two favorite superhero characters of all time!
If you haven’t already, I highly recommend giving it a watch!