Superman All-Star, the latest DC Comics animated feature to be released on Blu-ray and DVD, is based on the DC Comic Book limited series of the same name written by Grant Morrison and released back in November 2005.
The Animated version is written by Dwayne McDuffie and directed by Sam Liu. The story which stays very true to the source material is set in a Universe where Lex Luthor actually succeeds in defeating his arch-enemy. Using the power of the sun, Lex manages to over-charge Superman’s body causing his cells to turn on his own body - essentially causing Superman to die slowly from cancer.
After Superman learns of his impending death, he decides he has some unfinished business that he needs to take care of in his final days.
The story is less action-packed than most DC animated features, but there is a fair amount of character development between Superman and Lois and between Lex and Superman.
One of my favorite scenes in the movie is when Clark Kent pays a visit to Lex on death row to conduct an interview with him. Of course, Lex doesn’t know Clark Kent is Superman and spends most the time trying to explain to Clark why he is good and Superman is bad. It’s some nice character interaction between the two, and Anthony LaPaglia (Without A Trace) who voices Lex and James Denton (Desperate Housewives) who voices Clark Kent/Superman in this one do a nice job with the scene.
The animation also remains very true to the comic book series originally drawn by Frank Quitely, so if you like the comic book then you likely will enjoy the look of this one.
For special features on the Blu-ray, you get some nice commentary segments with writer Grant Morrison and producer Bruce Timm along with some looks at Morrison’s original sketches and ideas for the series.
You also get the comic series in digital format and a look at the next DC Animated feature in the works, Green Lantern: Emerald Knights.
If you enjoyed the comic series or want to see a well written character story that portrays both Superman and Lex Luthor in a more human light, you will want to check this one out.
Look for it on DVD and Blu-ray this Tuesday February 22, 2011.
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