Superman/Batman: Apocalypse

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse

Two-Disc Special Edition DVD cover art
Directed by Lauren Montgomery
Produced by Bruce Timm
Alan Burnett
Bobbi Page
Lauren Montgomery
Sam Register
Benjamin Melniker
Michael Uslan
Written by Tab Murphy
Starring Kevin Conroy
Tim Daly
Summer Glau
Andre Braugher
Edward Asner
Susan Eisenberg
Julianne Grossman
Rachel Quaintance
Music by John Paesano
Production
company
Distributed by Warner Home Video
Release dates
  • September 28, 2010 (2010-09-28)
Running time
 78 minutes
Language English
Box office $7,937,311[1]

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is a 2010 direct-to-video animated superhero film based on the Superman/Batman comic storyline "The Supergirl from Krypton" and is a 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. The film is the ninth in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies line released by Warner Premiere and Warner Bros. Animation and the first sequel in the line. It was released on September 28, 2010. The film stars Andre Braugher, Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly and Summer Glau. Despite the title, the film focuses primarily on the introduction of Supergirl and her relationship with Superman. Batman plays a supporting role.

The two-disc special edition and Blu-ray also includes an animated short featuring Green Arrow.[2]

Plot

Weeks after the events that led to Lex Luthor's arrest, the impeachment of his presidency, and Batman's success in saving the world from the impact of an arriving meteor, a spaceship lands in Gotham City Harbor. While Batman investigates the sunken craft, a young girl with no knowledge of English or any other human languages emerges from the water naked and accidentally crashes Batman's boat. Three longshoremen find her where she attacks two of them in self-defense while the third one just gives up his coat to her in order for her to cover up. She accidentally causes all sorts of havoc with her Kryptonian-like powers until the Dark Knight exposes her to a piece of Kryptonite while Superman gives the blimp that she unknowingly used her heat vision on a water landing.

With Superman's help, they discover that the girl is Kara Zor-El, the niece of Jor-El and Superman's biological cousin. While Superman welcomes Kara, teaches her English, and helps her adjust to Earth society, Batman remains suspicious. Tipped off by Batman, Wonder Woman and Lyla ambush Clark Kent and Kara in a park and take Kara to Themyscira, on the basis that only there can she learn to control her powers. Superman reluctantly agrees, but still prefers to watch to Kara himself.

Meanwhile, on the planet Apokolips, Darkseid learns of Kara's presence on Earth, and orders Granny Goodness to have her brought to Apokolips as a possible candidate to lead the Female Furies since the departure of Big Barda and the warrior Treasure being a failed candidate.

While Batman and Superman are checking on Kara on Themyscira, Kara was paired up in her training against Artemis. While Kara and Lyla later sneak away for a swim, a horde of Doomsday clones arrive from Apokolips. Superman, Wonder Woman and the Amazonian army fight them for a while until Superman vaporizes all of them with a single blast of his heat vision, but Batman discovers that Kara is missing, and that Darkseid’s Omega Beams have killed Lyla (while trying to prevent Kara's abduction).

Distraught, Superman vows to avenge her and save Kara. Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman locate and recruit Big Barda to help them find their way on Apokolips. Once there, Superman tears his way to Darkseid's palace while Wonder Woman and Barda go through the sewers directly into the fighting arena, where Granny Goodness and the Female Furies ambush them. After a long fight, Granny and the Furies are subdued. Batman, meanwhile, makes his way underground and finds the Hell Spores, the source of the fire pits on Apokolips, and activates them.

Superman encounters Darkseid, who sets the brainwashed Kara on him. Kara pummels Superman while Darkseid watches, until Batman confronts Darkseid and informs him that he has activated the Hell Spores, all of which will destroy Apokolips. He issues Darkseid an ultimatum: free Kara and promise to leave her alone and Batman will deactivate the Spores. Intrigued, Darkseid admits his admiration for Batman's tactics. Acknowledging that neither Superman nor Wonder Woman has the "strength of character" to destroy an entire planet, Darkseid relents. Superman manages to defeat Kara, and Barda and Wonder Woman present Darkseid with the subdued Granny. Defeated, Darkseid allows them to leave Apokolips. Back on Themyscira, a funeral is held for Lyla as Kara pays her respects.

With their lives normal again, Clark decides to take Kara to meet his adoptive parents in Smallville. However, Darkseid, who was waiting to kill Superman, ambushes them: he had promised to leave Kara alone, but not Superman or Earth, Darkseid almost kills Superman with omega beams, before Kara takes the blast. Superman attempts to fight Darkseid, but is nearly killed by Darkseid, who easily punches Superman into space creating a shock wave in the process showing his vast superiority, and himself holding back for entertainment. This leaves Kara to face the tyrant herself. A lengthy battle ensues with Kara (having received both Amazonian and Apokoliptian training) putting up a respectable fight, but Darkseid isn't damaged while Kara becomes more injured throughout, he easily overpowers her. Darkseid basically implies of holding back to test her skills, but instead of killing her with omega beams, he tortures her to unconsciousness. Superman recovers and returns to Earth to confront Darkseid again. He seems to gain the upper hand and pummels Darkseid using a combination of punches and heat vision at super speed, though Darkseid isn't truly damaged unlike Superman. Darkseid grabs Superman and begins attacking him with Omega Beams. As Superman's skin starts to glow red hot from the assault, and showing it was all fun and play for Darkseid. Kara uses Darkseid's Mother Box to activate a Boom Tube behind Darkseid. Superman uses the momentary distraction to his advantage and pushes Darkseid through. While Superman anticipates Darkseid's eventual return from Apokolips, Kara informs him that she changed the coordinates to a random spot in space, leaving Darkseid floating around frozen in ice.

Having saved her cousin's life and found her place on Earth, Kara decides to use her powers to fight for altruism under the alias of Supergirl. She is met with applause by Wonder Woman, the Amazons, and, finally, Batman. Superman and Supergirl then fly off to Metropolis.

Cast

Notably, Daly, Conroy, Eisenberg and Asner all reprise their respective roles of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Granny Goodness from the DC Animated Universe.

Reception

The World's Finest said that it was "not something I'll be coming back to any time soon," and specifically targeted Andre Braugher's performance of Darkseid as lacking in any presence.[3] Batman-on-Film gave the movie a D, the lowest grade they have given to a DC animated film.[4]

IGN gives the film a positive review with a score of 8 out of 10. The reviewer forgives the misleading title, recognising the story is all about "Supergirl of Krypton" and once you know what you're in for the story is not bad. Glau is praised for giving depth to what could have come across as whiny teenager, and her story is a complete journey but unfortunately the other characters are not given much to do.[5]

Home media

Released direct-to-video, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse took in $2,622,752 in its first week and has earned $7,892,515.[1] The Blu-ray presentation received an overall score of 8 out of 10 from IGN.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Superman/Batman: Apocalypse - DVD Sales". The Numbers. Nash Information Service. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  2. ↑ Younis, Steve (June 25, 2010). ""Superman/Batman: Apocalypse" DVD Artwork". supermanhomepage.com. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  3. ↑ Demeter, Zach (September 28, 2010). "Reviews - Film Review". Worldsfinestonline.com. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  4. ↑ Jett (September 28, 2010). "Film Review: SUPERMAN/BATMAN: APOCALYPSE". batman-on-film.com. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  5. 1 2 White, Cindy (September 30, 2010). "Superman/Batman Apocalypse Blu-ray Review. DC Universe's latest animated original introduces Supergirl ... and Darkseid". IGN. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
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