All-Star Superman

When I read the comic, it felt like it came out in the 60s to end Superman stories that started in the 40s even though it came out in the mid 2000s. It was a collection of vignettes that is supposed to show everything Superman is supposed to be drawn out in a nostalgic light. That version of it wasn't very appealing to me. This movie version, event though still vignettes, feels a little bit more connected than when I read the comics years ago, so it was at least entertaining enough and I guess knowing what it is going to be helped make it less annoying.

But what is it with the character design. I'm pretty sure Superman didn't look as creepy in the comics. Whenever there was a close up shot, it was too weird.

My favorite DC animated movie to date, based off of one of the better Superman comic book stories from the last decade. Dwayne McDuffie does a great job of translating Morrison's work to the screen. A few things are changed and some parts omitted for time. One of the complaints I've seen from other reviewers is that it feels too rushed. I can understand that criticism. Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns was four issues yet was given a two-part animated adaptation, clocking in at about two and a half hours combined. All-Star Superman was twelve issues yet this adaptation only clocks in at seventy-six minutes. It would have been nice had they given it more time, but I think they did good with the time they had. It moves at a brisk pace and, while there are a few small parts from the series I would have liked to see included, they did capture all of the big moments well. I watched it recently with a friend who has never read the comics. She enjoyed the movie a lot and had no complaints, so perhaps this is simply a problem among fans. Anyway, I would recommend you check out the comic series also, if you haven't already. Even if you're not a comic book reader you should enjoy it.

Let me start by saying, what they did right. The whole tone of the movie is spot on. I think whoever read the comic book series will agree. The animation is great, the story is a great one. But it is all way too rushed. If you have read the comics you will get this movie, but everyone else - I imagine - will have a hard time following the whole story. They should have made this a 2 part movie or a 90 minutes feature to get a little more of a developing story. The events from the comics are all cramped into just 75 minutes. Take away the credits and it is even less. Not much room to tell the story. Still, it is quite good, but i have to judge it like a viewer who has never read the comics, that are basis to this films, So I can only reward 6 stars. Too rushed, too much left out. Sorry, could have been a fantastic - probably one of the best - superman animations, but it fell (literally) short. Missed out on the chance of making the best Superman movie ever.

All-Star Superman(2011) is a movie in my DVD collection that I recently rewatched on HBOMAX. The storyline follows Superman as he just completes a mission that got him too close to the sun causing him to start dying from an overload of power. He unveils his plans for life after Superman and how his inventions and beliefs can still protect the world from super villains like Luther. Leave it to Luther to test those plans. This movie is directed by Sam Liu (Batman: The Killing Joke) and contains the voices of James Denton (Face/Off), Christina Hendricks (The Neon Demon), Anthony LaPaglia (So I Married an Ax Murderer), Ed Asner (Elf) and Obba Babatundé (How High). The animation in this, much like the graphics of the amazing comic, are perfect - really cutting edge and beautiful. The depiction of the aliens and monsters are so fascinating and well done. The action scenes with Luther and Superman together and versus the aliens/monsters are excellent. The ending gives you the perfect showdown and triumphs. This movie itself isnt perfect but it is very entertaining and worth a viewing. I would score this an 8/10 and strongly recommend it.

All-Star Superman is a real standout movie within the animated DC films, with an outstanding voice cast this one really surprised me but not entirely in a good way.

It tells the story of our hero becoming poisoned with excessive quantities of radiation from the sun and slowly dying. He sets about getting his affairs in order before he breathes his last breath.

With a host of other DC villians including Lex Luthor (Duh!) we see several mini-stories to keep Kal busy until his final moments.

The story is well done, heartfelt and enjoyable but at the same time badly flawed in places and left me scratching my head.

It just felt like the creators went into business for themselves, throwing much of the lore out and just writing whatever they wanted like a bad piece of fan fiction.

Make no mistake I found the oddly titled All-Star Superman to be watchable but I think it spread itself too thin considering how much it tackles and the magnitude of the story they are trying to tell.

The cast do however do a fantastic job including the criminally underrated Anthony LaPaglia as Luthor.

The Good:

Hell of a voice cast

Nice story

The Bad:

Too big a story for its run time

Pretencious finale

Things I Learnt From This Movie:

Storing things that can kill you makes perfect sense, destroying them would be silly

Kryptonian formalwear is the same as casual just with a hood

I want super powers for my birthday as well!