Review of All Star Superman (2011) by Corey W — 24 Feb 2011

Simply beautiful. DC Animated films always seize to amaze me when it comes down to staying loyal to the comics and "All-Star Superman" keeps itself that way for the most part. What I loved most about this film was how it's story wasn't about Superman saving the world, its about him saving himself and breathing his last breathes before his fall of death. While the animated-feature doesn't beat out "Batman: Under the Red Hood", (the last best DC animated-feature), it does top "Superman/Batman Apocalypse" with its sincerely deep plot that make us love Superman more than we already do.

Here is a great quality the film grasps however. It is not a brainless hero brawl like "Superman/Batman Apocalypse" or as dark and edgy as "Batman: Under the Red Hood". Its more of a character-centered drama that works with the story perfectly. That's really what makes "All-Star Superman" so good. Even though I'd still go with "Under the Red Hood" as being a better movie and adaptation, "All-Star Superman" works better with tickling the audience with more than a few light-hearted moments.

This Paragraph is for the fans of the comic: (Contains Spoilers).

The movie does a good job adapting the comic, but, some of the 12-issue series is left out. The first 4 issues of the comic are as if ripped right from the pages and shown word by word. You get to see Samson, Atlas, and of course, Lois with powers. You see Clark reveal his secret and give a fantastic tour of the fortress. Even Clark's interview with Lex in prison isn't left out. But, then we get to issue five. The Jimmy Olsen/Superman wars are sort of left out of the comic so issue five and six are roughly left out of the movie. Except for the end of issue six where Clark visits Jonathon Kent's grave. The whole thing involved with Bizarro is cut out, as well. So issue seven and eight are also left out of the movie. A bit of change there occurs, which may or may not bother the fans. I was fine with the change. Issue 9, where Bar-El and Lilo appear is adapted from the pages perfectly as well. Superman still sends the two to the Phantom Zone. The tenth issue is adapted mostly to the brick except for Superman saving the suicidal girl, but, the movie does show Superman waiting for the end to come, which is done beautifully. The final two issues, eleven and twelve, are adapted perfectly. Lex Luthor still gets powers for twenty-four hours and battles out a weakened Superman. The ending stays loyal, as well, which is good because the ending of "All-Star Superman" is simply amazing. While the movie only adapts eight of the twelve issues in the comic, it still manages to be a great adaptation in my eyes.

(No More Spoilers At This Point).

While most DC Animated Films gain PG-13 ratings, this one gets itself the easy PG. Probably because it isn't as gritty or violent as past comic adaptations from DC and it more of a dramatic take on the universe of Superman. But, don't worry folks, the feature still has enough action to catch your eye and keep you entertained, but, that isn't the film's focus.

The voice acting manages to stay on-top and the color scheme of Metropolis and Superman's look stay true. The White Superman Costume is drawn out perfectly. But, one thing seemed to bother me and that was Superman's cape. It was looped over his shoulders a tad too far and it was oddly too short. It isn't too big a deal but it caught my attention more than once in the movie.

Overall, "All-Star Superman" follows the 12-issue series for the most and manages to keep you entertained in its short seventy-five minute run-time. The dialog between Lois and Clark is amazing as always and by the end you'll be happy with this Superman story. The ending is beautiful and leaves you thinking that even the strongest sometime struggle. The movie hits the shelves on February 22, and I say give it a buy.