Since 2007, Warner Premiere has been producing a line of
direct-to-video animated films based on DC Comics' extensive library of
characters. They've actually have a better track record at bringing to life
superheroes like Green Lantern and Wonder Woman than WB's live-action division.
Lately, they have released some of their best pictures yet with Justice League: Doom and the
much-anticipated 2-part adaptation of Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. Their latest effort is Superman: Unbound, which is scheduled to
be released in May and was recently screened at WonderCon.
Unbound is based
on a five-issue story arc by Geoff Johns with art by Gary Frank and taking
place in Action Comics #866 through
#870. The film opens with Superman (Matt Bomer) and Supergirl (Molly Quinn)
flying through Metropolis in an attempt to rescue Lois Lane (Stana Katic) from
a group of armed men. From there, the Man of Steel has a heart-to-heart talk
with his cousin about her difficulties in adapting to life on Earth. Superman
is also having relationship problems with Lois. Before those can be ironed out,
Kal-El speeds off to the desert to investigate a robot that crash landed from
space. He takes the remains back to the Fortress of Solitude where Supergirl
recognizes it as a drone belonging to Brainiac (John Noble). A fusion of flesh
and machine, Brainiac collects all the knowledge of a world, shrinks one of its
cities to keep as a specimen, and then destroys the entire planet. Long ago, he
came to Krypton and took the city of Kandor. Supergirl and her parents barely
escaped. Rather than wait for Brainiac's arrival, Superman decides to take the
fight to him.
Warner Premiere has struggled working within the limitation
of their budget. This has resulted in many movies being released with truncated
run times. In some cases, the films barely break the hour mark (Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, Batman: Year One). Although, Superman: Unbound runs 76 minutes, it
never plays like huge chunks are missing. In fact, the film feels a lot longer
than it is. The script by Bob Goodman (who also adapted Dark Knight Returns) goes deeper in exploring Superman's
relationships with Supergirl and Lois Lane. The main characters are fully
realized in spite of their relatively short screen time. For all his powers,
Superman still has trouble figuring out Lois. Meanwhile, Lois is depicted as
quick-witted and fiercely independent, hardly the typical damsel in distress
though she regularly gets into trouble. Unbound
also earns a PG-13 because of a rude gesture Lois flashes at Brainiac. Supergirl has all the complexities of a
teenage girl topped off with super-strength and heat vision.
The animation doesn't look cheap at all and the art style
doesn't resemble one used in previous pictures or of Gary Frank's artwork from
the original comics. The style has a slight anime influence. Unbound is action-packed as the title
refers to a rare instance where Superman faces an enemy formidable enough that
he doesn't have to hold back. Brainiac is a creepy foe that is Superman's match
both physically and mentally.
The cast is one of the finest assembled by voice director
Andrea Romano. Matt Bomer and Castle
stars Molly Quinn and Stana Katic are perfect in their roles and it helps that
they could portray them in a live-action version. John Noble of Fringe fame is excellent as Brainiac
with a booming voice full of menace and arrogance. Rounding out the ensemble
are Frances Conroy as Martha Kent, Wade Williams as Perry White, Stephen Root
as Supergirl's father Zor-El, and Diedrich Bader as the Daily Planet's resident
meathead Steve Lombard.
Superman: Unbound
definitely ranks as the best Superman release from DC and Warner as well as one
of the best releases in the line.
Rating: *** (*****)
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