Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

Mixed feelings followed after i first watched this extremely short(compared to other DC animated movies) adaptation of the Jeph Loeb Superman/batman graphic novel. For starters, there was the running time. At a mere 67 minutes(6 of which goes into the opening and closing credits sequences) this film's story disappointed me in many aspects.

First there was the story. In a time of severe economic downturn and financial crisis, the United States turn in desperation to one man, Lex Luthor, and elects him president in hopes that his vast resources can turn things around for the better. With Luthor now in power, the country returns to a state of peace. That is until the a gigantic meteorite composed entirely of Kryptonite is discovered to be on a collision course with earth. President Luthor wastes no time in capitalizing on this opportunity and, through devious manipulation and media propaganda, gets Superman branded as a criminal. A One billion dollar bounty is declared on the Man of Steel which draws not only a vast array of villains looking to cash in on the bounty, but other superheroes either convinced that Superman as gone rogue. Teaming up with Batman, the two must work together if they are to save the world, clear their names and uncover Luthor's sinister hidden agenda.

Story sounds great doesn't it? Sadly it plays out nothing like an epic tale that i was expecting, but rather like a three episode story arc of the Justice League TV series(not that Justice league was a bad show. It was great, but having a TV series styled story in a movie where the ante is expected to be upped, is really disappointing). What could have been a clever metaphor for the social and political problems that USA has recently faced soon descends into a familiar and almost formulaic narrative style. This movie just had so much potential to expound on more of the underlying themes, which sadly, it did not.

"Familiar and formulaic", thankfully does not extend into the artwork. THe character designs follow the original graphic novel's art by Ed McGuinness rather closely. Whether you like it or not, every character look like they went through a couple hundred protein shakes and body building regimes. Even Powergirl looks buff and bulging with muscles. The CGI backgrounds look stunning with muted tones that make them look like painted artwork at times, But it clashes very very obviously with the lesser detailed and more brightly colored characters and vehicles. On a side note, the CGI of the vehicles are extremely bad and look no better than the primitive CGI employed for "The Zeta Project"(the Batman Beyond spin off).

Speaking of the characters, This show is clearly for the long time fans since all the characters are presented already in "full view" with hardly an attempt at further character development.. There is no tension between Superman or Batman, no indication of any differing ideals or methods. From the start, they seem like best buds already which makes the whole "unlikely team up" part(not to mention the climax where the unlikely duo come to really respect each other) a little redundant.

Despite these shortcomings, what really justifies the price of this show is the action and animation. Sure the animation is a little stiff in the more conversation-heavy scenes, but it transits to a very fluid animation style during the numerous fight scenes which boasts an exceptionally high frame rate. Fresh from directing Marvel animation's "Hulk Vs", Sam Liu(the Director)manages to bring out the most in every action sequence; fast paced, relentless and brutal. Every one of those scenes look almost cinematic in feel and epic in scope thanks to some great shot angles coupled with dynamic framing and story-boarding. The grand, adrenaline pumping score by Christopher Drake compliments the movie perfectly.

On a certain level, i enjoyed Superman/Batman:Public enemies very much. The animation and action surpassed the standard direct-to-video animated movie. The character interplay by veteran voice actors Kevin Conroy and Tim Daley(reprising their respective roles of Batman and Superman from the animated series)is very well scripted with a couple of witty one liners here and there.

If you like your superhero movie big on action and don't mind one that comes up short in the story aspect, then Superman/Batman: Public enemies is for you. Also highly recommended to fans of the various DC animated series.

President Luthor learns that a meteor made of Kryptonite is headed for earth. When the plan to nuke it out of existence doesn't work, he declares Superman an enemy of earth. Batman stands by him, but while the rest of the heroes are hunting them, they need help to stop the meteor, help only a young genius from Japan can make happen. Fun!

Fun animated movie based on an enjoyable comic book story by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness. The story has Lex Luthor becoming President of the United States (!) and using his new authority to go after Superman. Batman steps in to help his buddy and the two find themselves pursued by their government and their friends. A solid script with nice banter and one-liners. Not as meaty as the original story but still good. There's some subtext about patriotism and the difference between loyalty to country vs loyalty to government. But, for the most part, this is just an exciting action story with lots of superheroes and supervillians and big fight scenes. Nothing at all wrong with that.

The voicework is excellent with Kevin Conroy, Clancy Brown, Tim Daly, and CCH Pounder all handling the characters they have perfected so well. In addition there's solid work from Xander Berkeley, Allison Mack, LeVar Burton, and many others. The animation is fluid, colorful, and bright. The story is smarter than it had to be, which I appreciate. It probably plays better to fans but I think the uninitiated can still enjoy it. I'm not a big supporter of the direction DC animation has taken in recent years. I loved their stuff from the '90s and early '00s but lately they only seem concerned with appealing to the lowest common denominator. This one was made after their prime but when there was still a little bit of magic left. Very entertaining and packed with action.

This is the first Superman/Batman team up movie I have ever seen. And it's fast-paced with some entertaining and cool action. The story isn't all that great, but it also didn't seem like it was something that was just there to make the two heroes team up. The animation on the other hand is fluid and well animated, although the design might not be appealing to everyone. So the story is this, Les is the president of the united states and has some heroes under his thumb by winning their trust. That is except Batman and Superman who he puts a hit out on. So the two heroes are running and fighting other heroes while finding out a way to delve into the source of the matter at hand and take down Lex Luthor. The premise isn't anything super original, but it's a Superman/Batman team up movie and that in itself makes it worth a watch.

7.2/10

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies is a really decent awesome DC animated movie! I really enjoy this film, more than Man of Steel and the new horrible DC Zack Snyder's film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice! This is the real Superman/Batman movie in here our two superhero's teams up together to stop Lex Luthor and the meteor destroying our world. In here Superman and Batman does not kill people, Batman wanted to kill those guards, but Superman didn't allowed it. In this movie you have a heart, justice and hope! So yea I love this flick it is a fun film to watch. This is a real good movie, the animation fit the characters, the characters look good! The film is not too long, you have only 1 hr. and 4 Mins. long without credits.

Plot: When Lex Luthor gets elected US President, he uses the threat of an oncoming kryptonite meteor striking Earth as a rationale to frame Superman.

The story is about more Lex Luthor and America is going downhill people are losing jobs and the economics falls down. Pretty much Lex Luthor becomes president that is where the story starts. So we have Tim Daly as Superman, Kevin Conroy as Batman, Clancy Brown as Lex Luthor and Lex Luthor has his own group of superheroes, who's powers will be used for America for good, it is like hey if you want to volunteer to be part of us be my guest, but no one is going to be above the law anymore. It takes place couple of months after that, Luthor is been president, America is been turned around and been doing good, there is this meteor/kryptonite coming down to earth and Luthor is like I don't need superheroes and I got all the calculations and I am going to do this. Later we found out that Luthor is and always was insane, his taking this kryptonite gun and putting this stuff in his arm like steroids, he thinks he can take care of this problem and he will get all the credits for him self. First we see Superman chasing down this car that flips over and Superman actually saves people in here he saves people.

Superman doesn't want to admit that Luthor did a good job, because he doesn't trust Luthor. Since Luthor comes in to presidency crime is been down and things are going well, but Superman doesn't want to admit it and I really don't blame him. Even when he talks to Batman he still says "I don't trust this guy." Luthor wants Superman to meet him, he does and of course it is a trap and you have Metallo, Metallo is there and superman goes in to a big fight with Metallo and I thought it was really well done fight and the animation was good. That is what I like about this film! This film is pretty much a lot of action, Superman and batman beating other super heroes who are a treat and are working for Luthor. Superman goes in to a big fight with Metallo he is shot with kryptonite and he falls down on graveyard and Batman saves him and he try's to get the bullet out of Superman and they both on a run and Superman is accused of murdering Metallo of course he didn't do it and Batman stood's with by and cheers him up. Batman says they both have to stop that Meteor I love the wend when a Toyman creates a rocket launcher and super Luthor wants to stop our hero and Batman fly's there alone and Superman says "That was my best friend and you just killed him"! than he gets mad and he punches Luthor out and that hard on the end Batman destroys the Meteor and Superman saves him.

Overall: I love Superman/Batman: Public Enemies DC Animated Film it is a decent awesome super hero movie. The rating this film get's 9/10 it deserves it.

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies is a 2009 original direct-to-video animated superhero film adaptation of "Public Enemies"—the opening story arc of DC Comics' Superman/Batman—which focuses on Superman and Batman teaming up to prevent a meteorite from striking Earth and take down Lex Luthor, who has been elected President of the United States.

9/10 Grade: A- Studio: Warner Bros. Animation Warner Premiere DC Comics Starring: Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly, Clancy Brown, Xander Berkeley, Corey Burton, Ricardo Chavira, Allison Mack, John C. McGinley, C. C. H. Pounder, LeVar Burton, Calvin Tran Director: Sam Liu Producers: Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett, Michael Goguen, Bobbie Page, Sam Register, Benjamin Melniker, Michael Uslan Screenplay: Stan Berkowitz Rated: PG-13 Running Time: 1 Hr. 7 Mins. Budget: $3.500.000 Box Office: $10,328,363