The Death of Superman Blu-ray Review + Screen Caps

THE MOVIE — 4.5/5

The DC Animated Movie Universe has been rather decent with only a couple of clunkers (Justice League vs. Teen Titans stands out) and their latest, and perhaps biggest, is The Death of Superman the first part of the story concluding with Reign of the Supermen set for a 2019 release. This animated movie is easily the best within the DCAMU and right up there with The Dark Knight Returns adaptation within all of DC animated movies.

The story is based off of the famous comic series that ran from December 1992 through January 1993 and finds Clark Kent (JERRY O’CONNELL) finding his relationship with Lois Lane (REBECCA ROMIJN) becoming more serious and facing the decision to open up and tell her that he’s Superman. Meanwhile, the rest of the Justice League — Wonder Woman (ROSARIO DAWSON), Green Lantern (NATHAN FILLION), The Flash (CHRISTOPHER GORHAM), Aquaman (MATT LANTER), Cyborg (SHEMAR MOORE) and of course Batman (JASON O’MARA) — doing their parts in keeping the planet safe.

However, when a strange asteroid is blasted from another dimension, crashing into and destroying a space shuttle piloted by Hank Henshaw (PATRICK FABIAN) — whose role in Reign of the Supermen is significant — on its way onto Earth. But as the rock crumbles, revealed inside is a beast and eventually making its way to Metropolis, with the seemingly nobody able to take it down. That is, except for Superman who valiantly fights the creature, nicknamed by Lois as “Doomsday” with a brawl for the ages.

Well, the title kind of clearly gives way what happens. What it doesn’t is that The Death of Superman managed to be an emotionally charged animated film and in some ways, okay many ways, does the story better than in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, although I do love the Ultimate Edition version. I won’t lie, I was emotionally invested in the fight and with these characters…

Nearly everything was amazing. The voice cast, many returning from previous animated films, were great including Jerry O’Connell striking that balance of boy scout and gallant hero; Rosario Dawson is fierce in her few scenes including one against Doomsday; and Jason O’Mara’s Batman still isn’t my favorite, but I’ve come to accept him in the (voice) role. Rebecca Romijn was a great addition voicing Lois Lane and probably helps she and Jerry O’Connell are married in real life. I also enjoyed the animated costume designs, mostly carried over from the other movies, though if weren’t a fan of the New 52 (where I believe these were inspired from), they might bother you, Superman chiefly.

Now, what wasn’t great: Rainn Wilson voicing Lex Luthor. I like Wilson, but the voice he had didn’t nearly match the animated version of the character with a more higher-pitched tone that was so distracting it often took me out of the movie and also didn’t help making him look an actual threat or menace. Perhaps, like O’Mara, it will grow on me with Wilson’s return on Reign of the Supermen.

All in all, The Death of Superman is a winner and frankly, as much as I did love Batman v. Superman: Ultimate Edition, it is a shame the studio didn’t take a slow and steady start to the live action realm because I could envision this story in that format and it could have been really special. In any case, I truly loved The Death of Superman and it is well worth picking up on day one, even knowing the conclusion won’t come out until early 2019.

SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.0/5

This “Limited Edition Gift Set” comes with a battle-worn Superman figure and packaged inside the box is the standard Blu-ray with an embossed slip cover. The features are unfortunately light, likely saving the juicy stuff for the eventual “Deluxe Edition” combining this with Reign of the Supermen.

Sneak Peek (9:33; HD) at Reign of the Supermen with comments by the filmmakers about what to expect and brief scene.

The Death of Superman: The Brawl That Topped Them All (16:23; HD) breaks down the iconic and epic showdown that lasted 4 issues in the comics.

There are also two From the DC Comics Vault with Legion of Superheroes Season 2 of “Dark Victory” Parts 1 and 2.

VIDEO – 4.0/5

AUDIO – 3.75/5

OVERALL – 4.0/5

The Death of Superman was a great addition to DC’s Animated Movie line with a tight and well told adaptation of the famous story, doing far better justice than Superman: Doomsday, and some fine voice talent work in addition, though Rainn Wilson’s Lex Luthor sounded off. In terms of this Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, the features were on the lighter side, probably saving the good stuff for an eventual “Deluxe Edition”, but the video and audio transfers were both well done.