Review of All Star Superman (2011) by Peter K — 13 Feb 2011

Marvel Comics may corner the market when it comes to live action adaptations of their superheroes, but they can't hold a candle to the quality titles that DC Comics puts out of their heroes. But even the best Marvel has to offer doesn't match the level of excellence in this movie. Everything is absolutely pitch perfect, and I dare say that even for an animated feature, this is one of the best superhero movies ever made.

Based on the graphic novel of the same name, it's the story of Superman facing his own mortality after his body is oversaturated with sunlight radiation, and he realizes that he doesn't have long to live. The lethal overdose comes courtesy of a lethal plan by Superman's ultimate nemesis, Lex Luthor. While another story of Superman versus Lex would make many people roll their eyes, there's far more to the story than you would think. It isn't simply the story of Superman, but the story of those who love him, and even those who hate him. Every character is fully rounded, showing more layers than you would expect in an animated film, especially one.

that has been pared down from a multi-issue graphic novel. I'm sure there are many elements from the novels that has been omitted, but somehow I have the feeling they are not missed. If there weren't essential the main story at hand, they are simply not needed for this interpretation. It's still an epic story, told with all the gradeur, heart, and intelligence of the best movies of the genre.

The entire cast of voice actors is spot on. James Denton and Christina Hendricks breathe life into Superman and Lois Lane, and make their lives and love the heart of the film. Anthony LaPaglia is a stand out as Lex Luthor. He isn't a stark raving madman, or a wise cracking, self absorbed tycoon. He's a man on a mission, and revels in the knowledge that mission is about to be fulfilled. Matthew Gray Gubler as Jimmy Olson, and Linda Cardellini as Lex's niece Natashalthia bring the youthful exuberance and the laughs.

The animation may not be anything you haven't seen before in direct-to-video animate fare, but it's outstanding nonetheless, and the choice of direction, angles, and scale make this an epic that Hollywood could learn from in presenting it's mega budgeted blockbusters. The action is big, exciting, and at the end, heartbreaking.

I'm a lifelong Superman fanatic. Even his worst films I would still place above some of the other popular superhero films today. So perhaps I'm being a little biased. But in my opinion, this is not only BY FAR the best animated title that DC has put out, but it's also one of the best superhero movies of all time, and will certainly earn a very high place on my list of the best movies of 2011.