Superman vs The Elite – Blu-Ray Edition
By Hervé St-Louis
June 28, 2012 - 11:59
Studios: DC Entertainment, Warner Bros, Warner Bros. Animation
Writer(s): Joe Kelly
$23.99 US
Starring: George Newbern, Pauley Perrette, Downes, David Kaufman
Directed by: Michael Chang
Produced by: Alan Burnett, Bruce Timm
Running Time: 74 minutes
Release Date: June 12 2012
Rating: PG13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
Distributors: Warner Premiere, Warner Home Video
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This is the most important of all the Warner Animation direct to home DC Comics animated movies released so far for one reason. It goes beyond what any of the past movies has gone. The story is inspired by Action Comics #775 published over a decade ago. In the original story, writer Joe Kelly working with Doug Mahnke and Lee Bermejo for the pencils, created a team inspired by popular comics like the Authority from sister imprint Wildstorm comics. In the Authority, pastiches of the Justice League dealt with super villains harshly to say the least. The story and the characters was also a form of criticism against the latest generation of British comic book invasion that has continually supplied fresh ideas to comics since the 1970s.
In the movie, Superman, seen as a boy scout and antiquated by much of the public captures villains and puts them in jail where they escape time after time to wreak havoc on regular people until stopped again. Superman also is careful about not getting involved in world politics even if he could easily intervene. The Elite doesn’t seem to agree with his ways and they soon become antagonists.
The reason I find this movie the most important one release by Warner Home Entertainment since 2007 is because it’s definitely not meant for small kids. Granted some of the previous movies have been aimed at older audiences, but this one asks what I would call philosophical questions about the nature of super heroes and power. It also reflects on the nature of force and who has the authority to use it. In Western democracies, the use of force is the exclusive privilege of the authorities. Super heroes have never had any such rights, neither do any other competing groups to established governments. Yet, super heroes in the world introduced in Superman vs. the Elite are tolerated and Superman is smart enough to understand that he could easily challenge the legitimacy of the state. Therefore, he restricts himself to a clear set of actions where restraint is always the course.
The Elite doesn’t care about restraints and like many groups in society such as popular terrorists and their counterpart’s freedom fighters, think of themselves warranted with a mandate to change the status quo, partly by claiming popular support from the population. The movie effectively show such regular joes, including kids that continually contrast the views espoused by Superman and those of the Elite. In the end, it’s Lois Lane who in an earlier scene admitted to Clark Kent that he was outdated. In the end, she’s one of the person reminding people that Superman’s truth, justice are the best way to handle villains.
I was surprised at the ending of the story having not read the original comic book before watching the movie. Superman took considerable risks by bringing the fight in downtown Metropolis and putting many bystanders in danger. He was ruthless in his handling of the Elite, and I do have to ask myself if it was worth it. I mean, I know it’s a cartoon. No one really got hurt. Nut Superman, although he stopped short of murder did lose control at some points and borrowed the Elite’s ways of dealing with villains. He looked scary and efficient. He has it in him to destroy this world and take over at any point in time. Yet, he doesn’t. But was the cost of saying so worth the price?
The animation is sumptuous to say the least. Warner Animation is getting better at using 3D and incorporating it in animated films. I really liked the characters’ designs used in this movie. It’s unique and may never be reused again, but it gave us a worthy and powerful and heroic Superman. I also like how the Elite was designed. Their look was an improvement from Mahnke’s designs and quite suitable for animation.
I got the Blu-Ray, DVD combo that includes a digital copy. I really wanted the Blu-Ray as it has more extras than the standalone DVD sold for a few dollars less. There are a few interviews with academics, soldiers and lawyers about the nature of justice and power. These features are not your usual run of the mill and vapid commentaries. They are worthy of a college course. That was amazing to see such intelligent material put as featured extras. That’s partly why I think Superman vs The Elite is the best and most important release from Warner Home Video related to DC Comics ever. Please watch it.
Rating: 10/10
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