What makes a well adapted comic book animated direct-to-video release? In my opinion, the voice acting of the characters must embody what we expect while reading our favorite characters. For example, when you read any comic book with Hulk making an appearance, you immediately thing of a deep, husky, brutish and pretty much a voice that makes you shiver with every word spoken. If in “Hulk Vs,” the voice sounds like a 13-year-old boy going through puberty, the movie is destroyed immediately. I also feel the action sequences must be on par with what we expect while reading a similar comic book. The artwork and visuals applied to the animated characters should try and keep your eyes attracted to what’s appearing on the screen. It’s an added bonus if the animated feature is related to a particular arc from the comic book universe…
With that said, here’s my “review” of Superman/Batman: Public Enemies without being too detailed.
For those not familiar with the synopsis of the film, it’s simply about Batman and Superman teaming up to not only stop a meteoroid from crashing towards Earth but also bring to light the true nature of Lex Luthor who has just been elected President of the United States. This animated feature was taken from the comic book arc “Superman/Batman: World’s Finest.” I haven’t read this comic book but the general idea remains the same, down to the $1 billion bounty offered by Lex Luthor for anyone (superhero/super villain) to capture Superman because he’s connected to the oncoming Kryptonite meteoroid.
The action sequences are dazzling, simply because you wouldn’t expect this level of action to occur in this animated feature on not one, two, or three occasions but periodically throughout the entire film there happens to be a fight of some sort. What causes the fight sequences to be such a great experience comes from the idea we all wish of seeing the panels of comic books involving heroes coming to life…this movie does that fantasy justice. You feel the earth shattering blows, especially when your television is equipped with surround sound during every battle. It’s as if you can hear the sound of bones cracking when Superman and Batman are surrounded by a collage of villains, trying to earn the $1 billion bounty. The animators truly didn’t hold back the blows of those involved because the intensity of each reminds you of a boxing match.
Tim Daly plays a perfect Superman. His voice has that “good American boy scout” feel to it, if that makes any sense. You actually believe, “yeah…this is what Superman would sound like.” But he’s been the voice of “The Man of Steel” for a rather long time, so you should expect the same level of greatness this time around. The amazingly gifted and well known comic book voice actor of Batman…the one and only Kevin Conroy once again brings to life the character. Clancy Brown brings a great interpretation of Lex Luthor because once again, the voice is completely believable for the character. As a whole, without going through each and every character voiced in the feature, the voices are done very well.
The team-up of two of the most well known comic book characters within this feature was done exceptional. You know they’re “friends” but in a different sense of the word. You know both characters are on different spectrum's of the superhero wheel but nonetheless, the bond they share is performed as we expect it should. The one scene that embodies this without going into a spoiler session is when Superman encounters Luthor and says with this severely vicious look in his eyes, blood dripping from his lips, “That was my best-friend…and you just killed him.” The punch Luthor suffers next looks to be a rather excruciating one. You’ll understand my admiration for this scene once you watch it.
There’s so much that makes this release work that if Hollywood could ever turn DC’s as well as Marvel’s live action films to resemble the greatness of its animated releases…we wouldn’t have as many box office disappointments in the superhero genre that we’ve had over the years. So, should you see this release? Yes! Without a doubt it won’t disappoint. Should you go out and buy it? Yes! If we want more and more films like this to be release, we must support. Should you turn your surround sound to a loud level while watching? Yes! The punches will blow you away.
I admire the works of “Hulk Vs,” “Wonder Woman,” “Doctor Strange” and all the other direct-to-video releases from Marvel and DC…please continue bringing more of our characters to life.