It's Just Movies

— by JOSUE SANCHEZ —

I am not sure how to feel about “All-Star Superman.” Perhaps if I had never watched the recent animated masterpieces “Superman/Batman: Apocalypse” and “Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths” I would feel at ease with what I just watched, but I am not.

It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the movie. I did. I loved the great imagination and fun behind it. But what troubled me a bit was the fact that so much seemed out of place in this story. I loved the art, it was perhaps the most realistic interpretation up to date. But like I mentioned before, this movie does not fit with its previous line of DC animated movies.

This was a fresh — and not necessarily good — start; a different Superman story telling all together. One where Kryptonite is all but irrelevant, Lois acts like a child, and Lex Luthor has a good side.

This is why I have chosen to start by pointing out some of the main complaints the fans had with the comic book series on which this movie is based. In my research, I found they complained this story was “childish and incoherent.” I also thought it was pretty rough the way they bombarded the web with insults to the writer for his work on “All-Star Superman.” It was disrespectful and I am not going to partake in it. Especially since the Michigan-born writer, Dwayne McDuffie (Feb. 20, 1962 to Feb. 21, 2011), died Tuesday, the day the movie was released.

I will simply point out the good and the bad of the film itself. Of course, I first looked for the official description of the movie:
“Fueled by hatred and jealousy, Lex Luthor masterminds an elaborate plot to kill the Man of Steel – and it works. Poisoned by solar radiation, Superman is dying. With weeks to live, he fulfills his life’s dreams – especially revealing his true identity to Lois Lane – until Luthor proclaims his ultimate plan to control the world with no alien hero to stop him. Powers fading, Superman engages in a spectacular deadly battle with Luthor that could truly trigger the end of Earth’s Greatest Protector. This startling and gripping DC Universe Animated Original movie stars the voice talents of James Denton, Anthony LaPaglia, Christina Hendricks and Ed Asner.”

Now that I have watched the movie, I have come to realize some things. First, I watch these amazing DC Comics animated movies for two important reasons: the art and the action. The art, because it is my first true love. I am an artist before I was a writer. It’s what I have always enjoyed and I feel I’m good at. And the action, because watching these amazing comic book stories come to life is more than priceless, it’s a dream come true. Comic book stories are the most imaginative action-packed stories ever told.

It turns out there are other factors I took for granted, probably because these stories are always treated with such respect and detailed attention I need not expect any less. But with “All-Star Superman,” there is some chaos for me in the story. I must say I was slightly disappointed in that this film felt like a bunch of smaller stories all put together with one similar theme. See, Superman is dying and the movie follows him in the events that occurred in those last few weeks. The thing is, though, you only have one hour and 16 minutes. That is not nearly enough time to cover all the different people, aliens, monsters, Kryptonians, threats that he will encounter in that time. But, I must say, this is basically how it was in the comics and they were true to the story (while obviously leaving a bunch out). However, what works in a 12-issue comic series doesn’t necessaryly translate to a short film.

Superman/Clark Kent

Superman was definitely as super as he could be in “All-Star Superman.” He looked great and he was not powered-down to balance the story out with other less-powerful beings. He was actually powered-up — to the point that it would actually kill him. His body actually became his own worst enemy. So, with very little time left, he goes and fulfills his bucket-list of things he always wanted to do, including revealing his secret to Lois. I enjoyed all of Clark Kent’s moments, as well. They made him out to be the bumbling klutz he was in the Christopher Reeve movies. I also loved how Clark Kent was drawn, he looked totally different than Superman, yet still didn’t look “bad.” James Denton (“Desperate Housewives”) did a good job voicing our hero and I had no complaints there.

Lois Lane

Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men”) was great as the voice of Lois Lane, and I also have to give props to the art department for creating such a beautiful rendering of this character. She looks amazing. I also love the fact she was able to have superpowers for 24 hours and actually take the mantle of Superwoman. But this is the extent of what I like about Lois Lane in this story. I was really disappointed with her story-telling –specifically her attitude and behavior. Lois Lane is not this petty little girl who asks Superman to arm-wrestle two guys for her affection. She is a driven heroine on a mission. This Lois Lane was apparently on vacation from everything that drives her. She wants after any story or the truth, she was just there, celebrating her birthday. Sorry, this was weird to me.

Lex Luthor

Lex was also not too convincing, character-wise. He seemed to be protective of Clark and mankind. Yet he is jealous of Superman and wants to destroy him. Anthony LaPaglia’s voice was spot on for the character and it was enjoyable to hear his take on Lex.

I covered these three characters for they are the main characters of the movie. But there are so many, many more. I guess this is a movie you can enjoy if you have never watched any of the previous DC animated outings. Or if you are one of the many that enjoyed the comic book series. There is lots going on here, so check it out. I actually bought it, so I will give it another go in the near future and see if I feel differently about it.

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