Review by Patrick for Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (Two-Disc Amazon Exclusive Limited Edition with Litho Cel)
Rating:
I really enjoyed this movie. Lots of great characters: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Supergirl. And it isn’t all one sided. Everybody gets a good amount of screen time and action. The artwork is a step up from their previous movies but it still has that stiff direct to video look to it. The voice acting is really nice except for Supergirl. The movie follows the comic almost exactly until the end. Then it goes wrong for me. I did not like the way they handled the last fight and the conclusion. It just seems to end. But other than that, this is probably DC’s best animated movie.

But DC, if you’re listening, you need to make more Wonder Woman movies and not be cowards thinking people wont buy it because of the word “woman.” The Wonder Woman movie sold more than most of your other movies so you really have no excuse.

Review by Rony-kun for Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (Two-Disc Amazon Exclusive Limited Edition with Litho Cel)
Rating:
I just bought this DC movie at Publix and i really enjoyed it. Supergirl is intruduce and the movie turns to her story for the whole movie. WonderWoman is here, stronger than ever. The Furies from Apocalypt are intruduced here as well and Big Bartha. The fighting was good and so the story. Batman as cool and suspicious as ever. The boyscout “Superman” was very good.

Review by H. Bala for Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (Two-Disc Amazon Exclusive Limited Edition with Litho Cel)
Rating:
– Kara Zor-El (her first time in Metropolis): “It’s so beautiful here, not like that other city where Grumpyass lives.”

– Clark Kent: “Grumpyass isn’t so bad once you get to know him.”

“Grumpyass” is, of course, Batman. If you’re familiar with writer Jeph Loeb’s run at the SUPERMAN/BATMAN comic book, then you’re aware that this story arc is the one which brought back Supergirl to the DC Universe. The film opens with an alien vessel careening into the Gotham harbor, with the Dark Knight promptly diving in to investigate. The space ship holds one passenger, this frightened tiny slip of a girl with a lapsed memory who right away begins to demonstrate Kryptonian super powers. This alarms the Bat.

Superman, however, is a boy scout, and he tends to see the glass as half-full (unlike Batman who instead would be lifting fingerprints off the same glass). But, then, the Man of Steel also touts this handy-dandy ability to speak Kryptonian. In his dialogue with the mysterious girl, he learns that she is Kara Zor-El and his long lost cousin. Batman grows steadily concerned as Superman welcomes the girl without reservations, wholeheartedly takes her under his wing, reveals his secret identity to her. But, then again, Batman and paranoia go together like Big Barda and BBW magazine. No surprise that the presence of Kara Zor-El will test Superman and Batman’s friendship. But, well, there’s always something testing their friendship. They’re not that tight.

SUPERMAN/BATMAN: APOCALYPSE is another outstanding DC Universe Animated Original Movie, and it brings to life one of the more memorable DC story lines in recent years. I’m partial to Supergirl, always have been. I couldn’t tell you how gutted I was when she sacrificed her life in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS two decades ago. This is the true Supergirl here, not Matrix the protoplasm, not Andromeda, not the futuristic Cir-El. And Jeph Loeb was able to spin a new origin for Kara Zor-El, in keeping with contemporary times, and the film clings pretty closely to his story. I love that APOCALYPSE presents several really good character moments here, little scenes which flesh out not only Kara’s bubbly, confused persona but the rest of the cast’s, as well. Given, it’s cliched stuff, but I enjoyed it when Clark, all big brotherly, takes Kara shopping for clothes in Metropolis.

Is it too late to throw on a mild SPOILER alert? I’ll do it here.

Bruce informs Clark that Kara is able to harness sunlight more efficiently than him, this potentially making her more powerful than Superman. As such, I guess it makes sense that Wonder Woman would step in and pretty much abduct Kara to Paradise Island, Themyscira, for a stint of rigorous combat training and, more crucially, to teach her how to control her powers. Except that she should’ve asked Superman first. As it is, this tests Superman and Wonder Woman’s friendship (Everyone seems to be getting on Superman’s nerves lately).

But the real conflict surfaces when Darkseid seeks a new Captain for his elite honor guard, the Furies, and he’s soon eyeballing Kara as a likely candidate. And whatever Darkseid covets…

The voice cast is mostly good. I could never have beef with Kevin Conroy and Tim Daly reprising their iconic turns as Batman and Superman, respectively. Summer Glau is really likable as Kara Zor-El, and Ed Asner again voices Granny Goodness (who, as always, seems to struggle with a bout of Adrenal adenoma). I did have a bit of an issue with Andre Braugher as Darkseid, but it’s probably just me. To this day, I associate Braugher with his Detective Pembleton role from HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET.

There’s so much packed into the story – and a good chunk of it, epic – that it’s hard to believe it runs at a mere one hour, 18 minutes. It’s always nifty to see DC Comics’ Big Three together, and I felt like girding my loin when they – plus a certain former Captain of Darkseid’s honor guard – finally storm the nightmarish world of Apokolips. And the animation? It’s great. It terrifically apes Michael Turner’s artwork while also echoing an anime flavor. I wonder if some rotoscoping was involved because the characters’ movements look convincing and amazingly fluid, especially during the dynamic action sequences. Because Supergirl is the featured character, it’s gratifying to see her unleash an arsewhoopin’ late in the game. It’s something to behold. Of course, Batman still gets that sexy signature victory, and earns Darkseid’s respect along the way.

I like the little touches. I like that the movie opens up with a newscaster referencing “President Luthor’s impeachment,” which is a callback to the SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES movie. I like the sometimes dysfunctional energy displayed among the core characters. I like that Wonder Woman comes across as no-nonsense, a fierce warrior princess. And I love Big Barda, man. And that scene with Kara and Krypto is hilarious. Note that this film earns a PG-13 rating for violence and some mild profanity which, reprobate that I am, I think is awesome.

Marvel’s animation film studio needs to do some catching up, post haste.

I’ve got the single DVD edition, because I’m no moneybags. The bonus material on it: a sneak peek at ALL-STAR SUPERMAND, the next DC Universe Animated Original Movie (00:10:46 minutes long), as well as three regurgitations in the form of behind-the-scene looks at BATMAN: UNDER THE RED HOOD, JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON TWO EARTHS, and SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES. I guess you’ll have to get the 2-DVD set if you want some more bonus stuff.