Superman: Doomsday

Last updated

Superman: Doomsday
Superman Doomsday logo.JPG
Home video release poster
Directed by
Screenplay by Duane Capizzi
Story by
  • Duane Capizzi
  • Bruce Timm
Based on
Produced byBruce Timm
Starring
Narrated by James Marsters
Edited byJoe Gall
Music by Robert Kral
Production
companies
Distributed by Warner Home Video
Release date
  • September 18, 2007 (2007-09-18)
Running time
77 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$3.5 million

Superman: Doomsday is a 2007 American animated superhero film adapted from the DC Comics storyline "The Death of Superman", which focuses on the death and return of the superhero Superman. Released by Warner Home Video, it is the first film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, and made $10 million in home media sales on a budget of $3.5 million. [1]

Contents

Plot

Superman and Lois Lane are romantically involved, but Lois is not happy with him not revealing his secret identity to her. While digging, workers from LexCorp unearth the spaceship of Doomsday, a genetically-engineered super-soldier that is highly hostile toward any life form it comes across. It massacres the digging crew and begins a rampage towards Metropolis, killing animals and humans on sight. When Doomsday reaches Metropolis, it decimates the military until Superman arrives. Superman and Doomsday engage in a fierce battle across Metropolis, with Superman being brutally beaten but eventually winning. However, the victory is short-lived as Superman dies in Lois' arms.

Lex Luthor kills Mercy Graves, his personal assistant, to ensure no one else knows of LexCorp's involvement with Doomsday's release. The world mourns Superman and Metropolis honors him with a memorial. Superman's friends cope with his death in various ways. Jimmy Olsen takes a job at a tabloid newspaper The National Voyeur, Perry White becomes an alcoholic, and Lois, having realized that Clark was Superman, visits Martha Kent for counsel. In Superman's absence, Metropolis is overwhelmed by criminals. Toyman uses a giant mechanical spider to hold children hostage. Lois decides to save them herself, but Toyman tries to kill her and a little girl. Superman digs out of his grave and saves Lois and the girl, apprehending Toyman. He doesn't seem quite the same, but Lois dismisses it as shock. She becomes suspicious, however, when Martha tells her that Clark has not called home.

The resurrected Superman is revealed to be a clone created by Luthor who is keeping the real Superman's body preserved in a tube, unaware that Superman is, barely, still alive. He periodically tortures the clone Superman in a special lead-lined room. A robot from the Fortress of Solitude detects that Superman is still alive, recovers his body, and begins restoring him to health. Meanwhile, the clone's attitude darkens when he hears that Toyman killed a child. In retaliation, the clone abducts the villain and kills him in front of the police station. The city is stunned and the clone threatens the populace into abiding by the law. This convinces Lois and Martha that this is not the real Superman.

Lex berates the clone, orders him to find Superman's corpse, and threatens to kill him if he misbehaves again. The clone deduces that a lead-shielded kryptonite pellet is in his brain, and removes it. Lois tranquilizes Luthor and searches his files with Jimmy, discovering that Luthor is cloning an army of Supermen. Lex awakens armed with a gun, but the original clone saves Lois and Jimmy, destroying the cloning facility and the yet-to-be-awakened clones. Luthor hopes to ambush the clone in a panic room, but the clone simply locks him inside and tosses the entire room into the street. This latest presumed murder triggers military action which fails.

Superman is revived and resolves to confront the clone, although his powers are not fully restored. To improve his odds he dons a "solar suit" and brings a Kryptonite gun. The two battle and Lois manages to hit the clone with a kryptonite blast. The clone destroys the gun, but the Kryptonite canister sticks to the clone's chest and Superman vaporizes it with his heat vision. Before dying, the clone tells Superman to protect the people. Lois is sure of the real Superman once he kisses her, and the crowd is similarly happy now that they know that the real Superman is alive. At Lois' apartment, Superman reveals himself to be Clark Kent, and Lois embraces him with elation. At LexCorp, Lex is revealed to be critically injured and in a wheelchair, but still alive. He smiles, musing that there may still be a way for him to destroy Superman.

Voice cast

Production

Despite similar animation styles, the film used new animation models, and is only loosely based on the DC Animated Universe that lasted from 1992 to 2006, [2] with a few allusions to the older series, as well as the Fleischer Superman series, found in the Fortress of Solitude.

Kevin Smith cameo

Writer/director Kevin Smith made a brief cameo appearance in the film, during the scene in which Superman apprehends Toyman. As Superman carries Toyman off, a man (modeled after and voiced by Smith) remarks, "Like we really needed him to bust up a mechanical spider, right? Lame!" [3] This is a reference to the Warner Bros. Superman project that he and film producer Jon Peters collaborated on, which never came to fruition. According to Smith, Peters wanted Superman to fight a giant spider in the film's third act. [3] [4] [5] [6] Smith revealed in his interview film An Evening with Kevin Smith that he incorporated this and Peters' other ideas into his script. [3] [7] Tim Burton was eventually brought onto the project, and discarded Smith's screenplay, wishing to employ a different screenwriter. [6] A giant mechanical spider eventually was used in the climax of the 1999 Warner Bros. film Wild Wild West , which Peters co-produced. [3] [6]

Release

Superman: Doomsday was released on DVD and Blu-Ray September 18, 2007, by Warner Home Video. Before the DVD release, the movie was first screened at the San Diego Comic-Con on July 26, 2007. It made its U.S. broadcast premiere on Cartoon Network on July 12, 2008, in a heavily edited format. One of the aforementioned edits appears only in the South Korean release, wherein Superman is seen flying over South Korea congratulating Ban Ki-Moon for becoming the 8th Secretary-General of the U.N. [8]

The film' was exclusively available on DVD with a collectible packaging depicting Superman bursting through the movie's logo. It was the only film in the series originally released without a special edition.

Following a year later was a two-disc special edition DVD release. The special features included a retrospective look at how the Death of Superman comic came to be, a look at voice actors, as well as a Defeat Doomsday game with a 10-minute preview to the next animated film; Justice League: The New Frontier .

Release of a Blu-ray version was announced with a release date of February 26, 2008, but was delayed. [9]

Warner Home Video released a new "Special Edition" Blu-ray and DVD, featuring new bonus materials on November 25, 2008. [10]

Rating

The film's generous amount of violence and profane language garnered a PG-13 rating from the MPAA. This is the first time an animated Superman project has ever received such a strong rating. Most of the more visceral deaths take place off-camera; however, the fight sequences are very intense. During the Doomsday vs. Superman fight scene, Superman coughs a puddle of blood onto the ground, perhaps the most visual use of blood in the entire film. [11] This marked the start of DC animated films featuring more adult content compared to previous projects, and a majority of subsequent DC Universe Original Animated Movies would receive a PG-13 or R rating.

Soundtrack

Superman: Doomsday (Soundtrack from the DC Universe Animated Original Movie)
Film score by
Robert J. Kral
ReleasedOctober 26, 2007
Length57:34
Label La-La Land Records

The soundtrack to Superman: Doomsday was released on October 26, 2007. The music was composed by Robert J. Kral. [12] The soundtrack listing:

Superman: Doomsday (Soundtrack from the DC Universe Animated Original Movie)
No.TitleLength
1."Superman Doomsday Main Title"2:05
2."Fortress of Solitude"1:33
3."Alien"2:25
4."Killing the Hick"0:52
5."Doomsday Rising"2:11
6."Superman vs Doomsday"1:49
7."Doomsday Battle"2:11
8."Superman's Sacrifice"2:38
9."The Death of Superman"2:07
10."Lois & Martha"0:48
11."Toy Man Attacks"2:28
12."Return of the Hero"2:22
13."Superman Clone"3:16
14."Heartbeat"0:43
15."Relocated"1:13
16."Lois Was Right"0:37
17."Cat Rescue"1:42
18."A Safe Superman"1:47
19."Lois' Plan"2:21
20."Clone Discovery"1:30
21."Luthor's Fate"0:32
22."Superman's Return"2:27
23."Superman vs. Superclone"4:56
24."Superman's Victory"4:23
25."Smallville Elementary"1:03
26."Superman: Doomsday End Titles"2:58
Total length:57:34

Reception

Critical response

The film received favorable reviews from critics. [13] Following the screening at Comic-Con, and its release on DVD, the movie garnered mostly positive reviews, with some reviewers commenting it was a marked improvement compared to other recent DC animated adaptations; some commented it raised the bar for the follow-up to the live-action Superman Returns which had been released the previous summer. [14] Many also agreed it was also better in comparison to the recent animated films Marvel Studios had released based on their characters (such as Ultimate Avengers ), in part due to the more adult and action-packed story in keeping with its PG-13 rating. [15] Many reviews spoke highly of James Marsters' and Adam Baldwin's voice acting as Lex Luthor and Superman, while reviews of Anne Heche's portrayal of Lois Lane were mixed. [16]

Not all reviews of the film were positive. DVDTalk.com, while praising the film's look and its technical presentation, called the film "a massive disappointment" and also negatively commented on the film's short running time and its lack of adherence to the storyline of The Death of Superman comics. [17] James Deaux of Earth-2.net gave the movie a score of 5.5 out of 10, claiming the movie was far too overhyped and the result was not a bad, but a mediocre product with "many instances of...lazy writing, confusing animation, a couple of glaring plot holes and some mediocre voice acting." He also criticized the title of the movie given that Doomsday has such a minimal role in the film. [18]

Sales

The Top 100 DVD sales chart for September 18–23, 2007 revealed that the film was placed at #4, and was two spots ahead of the season six release of Smallville , a Superman related television show. [19] Variety made a report three months after the DVD's release, on DTV movies becoming very popular, and revealed that the DVD sold 600,000 copies, 30% more than what the studio predicted. [20] At the present time, Superman Doomsday is the highest selling film from the DC direct-to-video series selling more than 680,000 units. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bizarro</span> Comic book supervillain

Bizarro is a supervillain or anti-hero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Otto Binder and artist George Papp as a "mirror image" of Superman, and first appeared in Superboy #68 (1958). Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books, the character has often been portrayed as an antagonist to Superman, though on occasion he also takes on an antihero role.

<i>Superman: Red Son</i> 2003 three-issue comic book mini-series

Superman: Red Son is a three-issue prestige format comic book mini-series published by DC Comics that was released under their Elseworlds imprint in 2003. Author Mark Millar created the comic with the premise "What if Superman had been raised in the Soviet Union?" It received critical acclaim and was nominated for the 2004 Eisner Award for best limited series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Death of Superman</span> 1992 comic book storyline

"The Death of Superman" is a crossover story event mostly featured in DC Comics' Superman-related publications. The crossover, which originated from editor Mike Carlin and writers Dan Jurgens, Roger Stern, Louise Simonson, Jerry Ordway, and Karl Kesel, began in December 1992 and lasted until October 1993. It was published in Superman, Action Comics, The Adventures of Superman, Superman: The Man of Steel, Justice League America, and Green Lantern. Since its initial publication, "The Death of Superman" has been reprinted in various formats and editions.

<i>Superman/Batman</i> American comics by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness

Superman/Batman is a monthly comic book series published by DC Comics that features the publisher's two most popular superheroes: Superman and Batman. Superman/Batman premiered in August 2003, an update of the previous series, World's Finest Comics (1941–1986), in which Superman and Batman regularly joined forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyman</span> Comics character

The Toyman is the name of three supervillains and one adolescent superhero appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, as an adversary for Superman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercy Graves</span> DC Comics character

Mercy Graves is a supervillain appearing in multimedia and American comic books published by DC Entertainment and DC Comics. Created for the DC Animated Universe (DCAU), she first appeared in 1996 on Superman: The Animated Series as the personal assistant and bodyguard of Superman's archenemy Lex Luthor, returning in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, voiced by Lisa Edelstein. She has since been introduced into comic books published by DC Comics.

<i>Superman: Brainiac Attacks</i> 2006 film by Curt Geda

Superman: Brainiac Attacks is a 2006 American animated superhero film from Warner Bros. Animation. Released on June 20, 2006, as a marketing tie in with Superman Returns, the film features Superman battling the forces of Lex Luthor and Brainiac, and his relationship with Lois Lane.

<i>Atom Man vs. Superman</i> 1950 theatrical serial by Spencer Gordon Bennet

Atom Man vs. Superman is a 1950 American film serial and the second Superman movie serial featuring Kirk Alyn, credited only by his character name, Superman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superman: Up, Up and Away!</span>

"Up, Up, and Away!" is an eight-issue Superman story arc written by Geoff Johns and Kurt Busiek with art by Pete Woods. The story primarily features a powerless Clark Kent using his skills as a journalist to defend Metropolis from both organized crime and Lex Luthor, newly bankrupt and disgraced due to his actions in the series 52. Gradually, however, Superman begins to regain his powers, just in time to battle the embittered Luthor as he seeks to inflict his revenge upon Metropolis with the help of stolen Kryptonian battle technology and redesigned versions of the Toyman and the Kryptonite Man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superman in film</span> Film adaptations of DC Comics Superman franchise

DC Comics's Superman franchise, based on the character of the same name created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in June 1938, has seen the release of various films since its inception. The character debuted in cinemas in a series of animated shorts beginning in 1941, and then was the protagonist of two movie serials in 1948 and 1950. An independent studio, Lippert Pictures, released the first Superman feature film, Superman and the Mole Men, starring George Reeves, in 1951. In 1973, the film rights to the Superman character were purchased by Ilya Salkind, Alexander Salkind, and Pierre Spengler. After numerous scripts and several years in development, Richard Donner was hired as their director, and he shot two films, Superman (1978), and Superman II (1980), at the same time, both starring Christopher Reeve. Donner had already shot eighty percent of Superman II before it was decided to finish shooting the first film. The Salkinds fired Donner after Superman's release and commissioned Richard Lester as the director to finish Superman II. Lester returned to direct Superman III (1983). The Salkinds also produced the related spin-off Supergirl (1984). They then sold the rights to Cannon Films, which produced the poorly reviewed Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987). Ilya Salkind commissioned a fifth Superman script before Warner Bros. acquired the rights entirely in 1993.

Lex Luthor is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. As Superman's archenemy, he has been portrayed in almost every Superman media franchise and adaptation.

<i>Superman/Batman: Public Enemies</i> 2009 film directed by Sam Liu

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies is a 2009 American animated superhero film based on the DC Comics story arc "Public Enemies" in the Superman/Batman comic book series, written by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness, which focused on Superman and Batman teaming up to prevent a meteorite from striking Earth, and taking down Lex Luthor, who has been elected President of the United States. Directed by Sam Liu and released by Warner Bros. Animation on September 29, 2009. It is the sixth film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies. The film received generally positive reviews upon release. Additionally, Tim Daly, Kevin Conroy, Clancy Brown, and CCH Pounder reprise their respective roles from the DC Animated Universe as Superman, Batman, Lex Luthor, and Amanda Waller.

<i>Superman/Batman: Apocalypse</i> 2010 American direct-to-video animated superhero film

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is a 2010 American animated superhero film based on the Superman/Batman comic book storyline "The Supergirl from Krypton" and is a standalone sequel to Superman/Batman: Public Enemies. The art style is partly based on that of Michael Turner, who penciled the Superman/Batman comic book arc. Directed by Lauren Montgomery and released on September 28, 2010, by Warner Premiere and Warner Bros. Animation, it is the ninth film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies. The film stars Andre Braugher, Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly and Summer Glau. Despite the title, the film focuses primarily on Supergirl and Superman, with Batman playing a supporting role.

<i>All-Star Superman</i> (film) 2011 direct-to-video animated superhero film directed by Sam Liu

All-Star Superman is a 2011 American animated superhero film based on the comic book series of the same name by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. Released direct-to-video by Warner Bros. Animation on February 22, 2011, it is the tenth film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies.

<i>The Death of Superman</i> (film) 2018 film directed by Sam Liu

The Death of Superman is a 2018 American animated superhero film produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment. It is based on the comic book storyline of the same name, and the second animated adaptation to chronicle the battle between Superman and Doomsday. It is the 33rd film in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies and the eleventh film of the DC Animated Movie Universe. Released on July 24, 2018, the film received a limited theatrical release on January 13, 2019. A sequel, Reign of the Supermen, was released on January 15, 2019.

<i>Reign of the Supermen</i> (film) 2019 animated film directed by Sam Liu

Reign of the Supermen is a 2019 American animated science fiction superhero film produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment. The film is a direct sequel to the 2018 animated film The Death of Superman, based on the comic book story arc of the same name in "The Death of Superman" event. It is the twelfth film of the DC Animated Movie Universe and the 35th film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies. The film was released in limited Fathom Events theaters on January 13, 2019, and to digital and Blu-ray two days later.

Lois Lane is a fictional character first appearing in DC Comics Action Comics #1, an intrepid reporter commonly portrayed as the romantic interest of the superhero Superman and his alter-ego Clark Kent. Since her debut in comic books, she has appeared in various media adaptations, including radio, animations, films, television and video games. Actresses who have portrayed Lois Lane include Noel Neill, Phyllis Coates, Margot Kidder, Teri Hatcher, Erica Durance, Kate Bosworth, Amy Adams, and Elizabeth Tulloch.

<i>Superman: Red Son</i> (film) Animated film by DC Comics

Superman: Red Son is a 2020 American animated superhero film focusing on the DC Comics character Superman, and the 39th film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies. The film is based on the 2003 comic book miniseries of the same name written by Mark Millar and pencilled by Dave Johnson, Andrew Robinson, Walden Wong and Killian Plunkett. It was released digitally on February 25, 2020 and was released on Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray on March 17. This was the final film of Jim Ward before his retirement in 2021.

<i>Justice League Dark: Apokolips War</i> 2020 American animated superhero film

Justice League Dark: Apokolips War is a 2020 American adult animated superhero film produced by Warner Bros. Animation and distributed by Warner Home Video. The film is directed by Matt Peters and Christina Sotta, while Ernie Altbacker and Mairghread Scott wrote the screenplay. It stars an ensemble cast including Rosario Dawson, Jerry O'Connell, Jason O'Mara and Matt Ryan. In the film, members of the Justice League, Justice League Dark, Teen Titans and Suicide Squad join forces against Darkseid to save Earth.

<i>Superman: Man of Tomorrow</i> 2020 American film

Superman: Man of Tomorrow is a 2020 American animated superhero film based on the DC Comics character Superman. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, and DC Entertainment, and distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, it is the first installment in the Tomorrowverse. The film is directed by Chris Palmer, and written by Tim Sheridan, and stars Darren Criss and Zachary Quinto. The film depicts the early days of Clark Kent's career as the superhero Superman. It is the 41st film in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies.

References

  1. ↑ "Superman - Doomsday (2007) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  2. ↑ "WONDERCON '07: DC UNIVERSE: SUPERHEROES GO DVD PANEL". Newsarama. March 4, 2007. Archived from the original on March 6, 2007. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
  3. 1 2 3 4 McLaughlin, Robert (July 17, 2009). "How Superman became Will Smith’s adversary". Den of Geek!
  4. ↑ Cecchini, Mike (August 2, 2017). "Was Ahead of Its Time: Kevin Smith's Superman Lives script would feel right at home with modern superhero blockbusters and TV shows." Den of Geek!
  5. ↑ Collis, Clark (July 1, 2015). "The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened? -- exclusive clip". Entertainment Weekly .
  6. 1 2 3 Elliott, Josh (June 12, 2013). "How producer Jon Peters and a giant spider nearly ruined Superman". The Pop Cultist.
  7. ↑ Conrad, Jeremy (January 9, 2003). "An Evening with Kevin Smith: Nearly four hours of stories from The Man. Our full review. ". IGN.
  8. ↑ https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/180669.html
  9. ↑ "Justice League DVD news: Release Date for Justice League: The New Frontier". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Official Artwork And Details For New "Superman Doomsday" DVD And Blu-Ray". Worldsfinestonline.com. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  11. ↑ Cassady Jr., Charles (February 13, 2008). "Superman Doomsday Movie Review". Common Sense Media . Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Superman: Doomsday Soundtrack". Worldsfinestonline.com. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Superman: Doomsday (2007)". Rotten Tomatoes . Flixster . Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Superman Doomsday Review". Ugo.com. September 18, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  15. ↑ "SDCC '07: SUPERMAN DOOMSDAY REVIEW - NEWSARAMA". Forum.newsarama.com. July 27, 2007. Archived from the original on January 7, 2010. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  16. ↑ Christopher Monfette (September 18, 2007). "Superman Doomsday DVD Review". IGN. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  17. ↑ "DVD Talk Review: Superman - Doomsday". Dvdtalk.com. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  18. ↑ "Superman: Doomsday review". Earth-2.net. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
  19. ↑ "Touchdown for "Marshall" on DVD charts". Reuters. September 27, 2007.
  20. ↑ Thielman, Sam (December 21, 2007). "Direct-to-DVD movies growing in popularity". Variety.
  21. ↑ "Superman - Doomsday - DVD Sales". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.