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Superman / Doomsday (2007)

DVD Cover (Warner Brother Special Edition)
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Overall Rating 65%
Overall Rating
Ranked #3,389
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Connections: DC: Superman

When LexCorps accidentally unleash a murderous creature, Doomsday, Superman meets his greatest challenge as a champion. Based on the "The Death of Superman" storyline that appeared in DC Comics' publications in the 1990s --TMDb
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Review by Griffinheart
Added: March 23, 2009
"Superman: Doomsday" takes one of the greatest comic stories ever, changes it, and animates it...and it doesn't suck. Go!

Based on the comic of similar name, "Superman: Doomsday" tells the story of what happens when Superman has to face an adversary just as super as he. Now, his opponent isn't a power-list-clone of Superman like Shazam, his opponent is the unstoppable killing machine Doomsday. It's as strong as Superman and either feels no pain or doesn't care. Doomsday was genetically engineered to be a weapon, but not even its creators could shove it back in its box after it was activated.

When Lex Luthor's men accidentally breach a space ship uncovered deep underground, a hologram appears and says something in an unknown tongue. Lex recognizes it as a warning shortly before Doomsday bursts out of the ship and proceeds to kill everything in its path.

Lex Luthor: "There's only one reason someone would go to all the trouble of trapping that thing down here--they couldn't kill it."

Doomsday reaches Metropolis and proceeds to tear up the place until Superman arrives. Then the property damage escalates exponentially. Both are throwing each other through building upon building, and it's obvious hundreds are being killed each time. But, does Superman slow down or stop to worry about the people being killed? No. Not because he's callous but because he recognizes how serious of a threat Doomsday is. Superman knows that he has to stop Doomsday or die trying.

The Superman vs. Doomsday fight lasts for most of the first half of the movie, if I recall right. The rest of the movie covers the aftermath of the fight, and it is here where the movie starts to drastically differ from the comics. However, I didn't care. The comics are excellent and have their place, but this story is amazing as well. Lex Luthor is the evil bastard he is supposed to be, and he drives the plot like a good villain should. We see the worst of humanity from the villains, and the best from the heroes. No piss ass characters need apply.

In addition to the plot, the movie is good in most other regards as well. The voice actors range from adequate to great (James Marsters as Lex Luthor is excellent). The animation style can be a little minimalistic, but it mirrors some of the other Superman animated shows and didn't bother me at all (though the very, very pointed cheek bones of Luthor struck me as rather bizarre). For about the only low point of the movie, I have to swing back to the plot: the writers, AGAIN, pulled the crap where Superman is sleeping with Lois, but she doesn't know he's really Clark Kent. For the sake of the story, I'm willing to let it slide that most people can't tell that Superman and Clark Kent are the same person, but she's sleeping with him! Come on! And, how much of a dick is Superman being for not telling her!?

Now for the score. I give it a 8.5/10 for the fact that it is great but isn't in the same league as truly epic movies like "The Empire Strikes Back" or "The Matrix". That being said, go watch it. The first time I watched it, I was smiling almost the entire movie with a "This is so fricking awesome" look on my face.
The Red Clover #1: The Red Clover - added March 23, 2009 at 4:24pm
I'd give this an 8 based on animation, however I find myself detracting 7.5 points for the unfortunate fact it's a Superman movie.
Griffinheart #2: Griffinheart - added March 23, 2009 at 10:33pm
I'll assume that you're dropping the score to 7.5 and not by 7.5 points. Really, this does deserve at least an 8.

As for knocking Superman stories in general, I do generally prefer other comic characters as well. Less godlike characters are easier to relate to and easier to write quality stories for (Wow, someone's shooting a gun at Superman...oh, wait, that can't hurt him). Still, when a story is good, it's good, and this was better than the average comic-based feature.
The Red Clover #3: The Red Clover - added March 24, 2009 at 4:12pm
No, I'd give it an 8, but unfortunately I'd lower the score down to a .5 because like I said, it's a Superman movie. But I will say that the story itself combined with the animation does make it a solid 8. The .5 is just a personal score because I personally can not stand the Superman franchise. But my score is not to belittle the decent animation or to begrudge the terrific story nor is it there to detract from your well put review.

With that clarified, I still maintain my subjective score of .5 but still recommend it for anyone who; A) Enjoys a good animated feature based on a comic or, B) You're a Superman fan because while I dislike the franchise, I can't deny how good this feature was.
Griffinheart #4: Griffinheart - added March 24, 2009 at 4:29pm
I understand; there are some characters I just hate as well. I usually find Batman and Wolverine to be off-putting as I think they're given way too much credit and leeway in stories. There are only so many times Wolverine can act like a distant loner before I lose interest.

Batman, on the other hand, usually feels like a plot device more than an actual character. Any time a difficult situation arises, Batman breezes by impossible obstacles with some miraculous plan/device that could only have been constructed/brought due to prior knowledge. Superman has a limited arsenal, but Batman has no limits. I'd rather read about a constrained god than an omnipotent mortal.
Greg Follender #5: Greg Follender - added March 24, 2009 at 11:34pm
I found this to be an absolute snore...

The best parts of the film are contained in only half it's full length... the ending sequence is a predictable rehash of old devices that drain most of the drama from the earlier, more successful proceedings. "Superman/Doomsday"... no where in that title is Luthor mentioned... nor should he be inferred...

Another in a long line of animated features that totally lose sight of what is the real meat of the title story... it takes a dramatic chapter in a hero's life and tacks on a needless bit of writer's self-indulgence that contributes nothing to the mythos.

To be honest,.. at it's heart, the original tale is a shameful cash-in story that lacked both real merit and creativity. Anything to sell extra books...
Shameful...

If DC felt the need to re-tell the tale properly, they should at least have invested time enough to have it end with bit more drama and originality.

Weak and pedestrian.

6/10, and only for above average straight-to-video animation sequences.



Greg Follender #6: Greg Follender - added March 25, 2009 at 1:20pm
If you'd like to see a much better realized animated adaptation of a comic book story, proceed to DC's "New Frontier" feature...

It certainly isn't better than the tremendous source material, but it at least successfully captures the heart of the tale in a way that doesn't disappoint. Epic, relevant, and insightful.. this new vision of the great Silver Age of comics is well conceived and truly does justice to it's noble comic book roots!

Check it out...
Griffinheart #7: Griffinheart - added March 27, 2009 at 1:26am
Any one ever read the Superman comic called something like "For the Man Who Has Everything"? It was a great story where Batman, Robin, and Wonder Woman visit Superman at his Fortress of Solitude only to find Superman enveloped in a parasitic plant that gave its victims their heart's desire in dream form. The comic was great, and the Justice League cartoon did a fairly good adaption of it.
Greg Follender #8: Greg Follender - added March 27, 2009 at 9:21am
Yup, seen it.

Actually one of the better Justice League episodes that season, to be sure.
Griffinheart #9: Griffinheart - added April 11, 2009 at 1:03pm
Just saw an episode of Justice League Unlimited with Doomsday in it...it was abysmal. Not only was Doomsday a Superman clone, but Doomsday talked...which completely sucked the cool straight out of him.
The Red Clover #10: The Red Clover - added April 12, 2009 at 11:39pm
I'd have to say "New Frontier" is by far my favorite DC animated film so far.
Greg Follender #11: Greg Follender - added April 13, 2009 at 9:39am
I commend your excellent taste in animated features, sir...
I, too, found "The New Frontier" to be vastly superior to any other DC produced animated feature to date.

You owe it to yourself to read the source material as well.

It's akin to viewing the recent Watchmen film without actually poring through the graphic novel itself;)
Don't cheat yourself of the full course meal by just shuffling a hot roll or two into your pockets to eat later....


The Red Clover #12: The Red Clover - added April 14, 2009 at 5:00pm
I'll take your recommendation and find the source even though I am not a fan of the majority of the products DC publishes.
Griffinheart #13: Griffinheart - added May 18, 2009 at 8:14pm
Caught another great episode of Justice League Unlimited the other night. It had everything: time travel, super heroes, robots, cowboys, robot cowboys, dinosaurs, robot dinosaurs...everything and a few good quotes too:

Wonder Woman after blocking bullets from a old West Colt pistol: "Those are the biggest, slowest bullets I've ever seen."

Card player #1: "I call--four kings and an ace."
Card player #2: "That's a might bit perplexing seeing as I have four aces and a king. I suppose I win."
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