Superman: Doomsday (2007) (V)

Directors:

Lauren Montgomery
Bruce W. Timm

Writers:

Duane Capizzi (writer)
Bruce W. Timm (writer)

Release Date:

18 September 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Action | Drama

Tagline:

Where were you the day Superman died?

Plot:

When LexCorps accidentally unleash a murderous creature, Doomsday, Superman meets his greatest challenge as a champion. Based on the "The Death of Superman" storyline that appeared in DC Comics' publications in the 1990s. |

Plot Keywords:

Bereavement | Perry White | Newspaper | Funeral | Based On Comic Book

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Adam Baldwin	...	Clark Kent / Superman (voice)
Anne Heche	...	Lois Lane (voice)
James Marsters	...	Lex Luthor (voice)
John Di Maggio	...	Toyman (voice)
Tom Kenny	...	Robot (voice)
Swoosie Kurtz	...	Martha Kent (voice)
Cree Summer	...	Mercy Graves (voice)
Ray Wise	...	Perry White (voice)
Adam Wylie	...	Jimmy Olsen (voice)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kimberly Brooks	...	Murphy (voice)
Townsend Coleman	...	Drill Operator (voice)
Chris Cox	...	Damon Swank (voice)
Hettie Lynne Hurtes	...	Newscaster (voice)
Kevin Smith	...	Grumpy Man (voice)
James Arnold Taylor	...	Officer Tucker (voice)

Also Known As:

The Death of Superman (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

USA:75 min (approx.)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Singapore:PG

Company:

Warner Bros. Animation

Trivia:

While on the roof of the Daily Planet, Lois tells Jimmy as she starts up the helicopter, that she was an "air force brat." In the comics however, her father, General Sam Lane, was in the army.

Quotes:

[Superman has just defeated Doomsday]
Superman: Is everyone... ?
Lois Lane: [starts to cry] You did it, Superman. We're safe. All of us.
Superman: Good. That's... that's all that... matters.

Movie Connections:

References Superman II (1980)

Stylish and entertaining cartoon that benefits greatly from a dark tone and delivery

Mining for a new power source from the earth's core, LexCorp scientists uncover an alien craft that has been on earth since sometime BC. A message plays when they breach the hull of the craft but it is too late as a alien creature breaks from the ship and kills all those in its way. When it reaches the city, Superman is the only real hope of stopping it in its path, which is ironic as Lex Luther requires the creature to be stopped to prevent the trail of destruction being traced back to his company. The ramifications of these events stretch much further than just one monster though – others of many names are still out there.

Not really a massive fan of Superman but figured that the cartoon might be a better bet than Bryan Singers recent version. Watching this I think I was right but this is not to say that it is brilliant. What it does bring though is a certain amount of comic book style, big action and easy story-telling. It does benefit from being able to draw destruction and action that would cost hundreds of millions in the real world. What really benefits the film though is the dark and more adult tone to it; although it is still for children to a degree, it does have a nasty streak that strengthens the story by injecting a serious edge and a genuine threat of violence.

Is it enough to win over those who would dismiss this as a cartoon? Well, no to be honest; it is still a cartoon and as such the depth isn't really there and the focus is on style and action more than anything else. The voicework is unremarkable but not bad. Baldwin (Adam) and Heche barely registered with me although in a way I suppose it was good that I was not thinking "hey, that's etc" the whole way through. Marsters' Lex Luthor and Wise's Perry White are equally so-so; suffice to say that the film is not carried by the performances.

With Doomsday it is the presence of death and violence in the story that makes it better than it could have been. The animation is not too stylised but is still effective in what it does – it certainly is not basic. Good enough to win over non-cartoon viewers? No, but it is a satisfyingly dark film for those content to meet the film on its own terms.