Thoughts on Superman: Doomsday

[moonshayde]

I liked it. I know that a lot of comic diehards might not like it since it's not the same, but I went into the movie knowing there would be changes and the story would be condensed.

At the same time, it was really enjoyable. Superman stories shine when they focus on character and personality in addition to the action. So to see the world struggle with a Superman that takes his paternalistic streak to the extreme and for Superman himself to see this cracked version of himself was very interesting.

I found the star to be James Marsters as Lex. He reminded me a lot of Michael Rosembaum's Lex, the cool cunning calculated side. His Lex and SV's Lex have to be my faves to this date. Man, he was just creepy. I dare say even homoerotic subtext but with a very creepy bent. Mourning Supes death, cloning him to make a Superman under his control, and his attempt to covet anything Superman "had" including Lois.

Adam Baldwin was okay as Superman. Nothing spectacular but not bad either. I could buy him as Superman.

I wasn't very impressed with Anne Heche as Lois, though. First, I found her character model a bit jarring and she looked a lot like Smallville's Lana Lang. But my issue with her was that she seemed...off somehow. She was aggressive and in love, but she lacked something I've always enjoyed in Lois. I haven't quite pinpointed it yet. She did, however, have an amazing moving scene with Martha where she breaks down over Superman's death.

Not sure yet how I feel on the take with Lois and Superman dating, but without Superman admitting he was Clark until the end. Lois wins for knowing anyway, but it was a bit odd. But I don't know enough about the comics to know how the Superman/Clark reveal went down.

They're all just different retellings of the myth anyway, so that's cool.

But *sigh* Lois/Clark. It's always a pairing that makes me smile.

Great movie. Despite the nitpicks, I highly recommend it.

Comments

[gategrrl.livejournal.com]

I'm going to express my complete and total utter ignorance about this - is this a major film release or a direct to DVD, or was it on TV?

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

Animated DVD movie. A bit more violent than the cartoon that was on TV and was rated PG-13 with some mild language. I enjoyed it.

[cyren-2132.livejournal.com]

I've been seeing commercials for this and have kind of wanted to see it, but James Marsters and Adam Baldwin as Lex and Superman?! Seals the deal. Do we actually get to see much of *Clark* because one of my biggest complaints with comic cartoons/books is that we rarely see the heroes outside of 'Off we go, saving the world!' mode.

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, this is very little Clark in this. But to be honest, it's okay. It works because of the nature of the story allows for it. I still have some nitpicks about it, and the story itself is something that needs more time to be told, but I did enjoy it. It's a good story and that makes the difference. I recommend it :)

[houseofel.livejournal.com]

Can't wait to see it, I've read both negative and positive reviews about it and many people are saying there's something "missing" (despite the great backgrounds and animation) and that a lot of story was chopped away... But you can't expect such a long arc to fit into, oh, 90 minutes on screen. Maybe it should have been a 3-parter.
Well, despite some of the negative feedback I'm still very curious and excited about "Superman: Doomsday". :)

But I don't know enough about the comics to know how the Superman/Clark reveal went down.

He revealed himself to Lois (ripping his shirt open to reveal the S shield) right after he asked her to marry him and she said yes. They were just engaged for 4 months when Doomsday killed Superman.

One of the major critiques about "Superman: Doomsday" is that it takes away the Clark persona and Lois is dating Superman instead. The story in the comics had the more impact when Superman was dead and Clark "disappeared" and Lois was grieving and crying for both Superman and her future husband and couldn't tell anyone about it. Apparently the dvd lost a lot of the emotion by not including this part.

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

I will admit that the whole Lois dating Superman thing jarred me in the movie. I was expecting some Lois and Clark interaction. But even though I don't agree with that bent, I still enjoyed the movie. And despite my lack of familiarity with the comics, I just consider this yet another retelling of the Superman myth. I've become comfrtabl in seng all the different meida as various interpretations of the myth and it allows me not to freak out. But I can underdtand why a lot of people would get upset.

There is one scene, though, with Martha and Lois that was extremely emotional and I still applaud just how well that went down. In that instance, Lois really wsgrieving for Clark and Superman.

Anyway, in the end I still think it was a fine movie and I'm glad I was able to watch it. It made me sad, though, that I missed out on the comics :(