All-Star Superman

I wondered why this animated feature available on DVD and Blu-Ray was called All-Star Superman instead of something a little more catchy like The Death Of Superman Too. I did some research and found out it is based on a 12-issue comic book maxi-series of the same name written by Grant Morrison.

Launched in 2005 under DC's All Star imprint, these series are attempts by DC to allow major comics creators a chance to tell stories showcasing popular characters without being restricted by DC Universe continuity. I did not read the maxi-series, so my comments are on the animated material alone.

It's no secret from the very beginning that it is about the death of Superman. Exposed to a lethal dose of solar radiation at the heart of the sun, his cells begin to overload and break down. It's all a part of a sinister plot by his arch enemy Lex Luthor--and this time he succeeds. I know its difficult to believe, (and perhaps a little sad) but in this instance, evil triumphs over good.

While there were some action-packed sequences in the animated feature, I found that the story was all over place--most likely to condense a 12-issue comic book series into one 75 minute movie.  Rather than a fever-pitched action packed adventure, it was more a love story between Superman and Lois Lane during his final days. 

Lois Lane. Call her the 24-Hour Superwoman

Personally I found the All-Star Superman a bit bizarre. The things I did like: Superman allowing Lois to have a taste of what it means to be super for 24 hours--complete with costume no less. Superman's calculated use of The Gravity Gun. Superman's last heroic sacrifice.

The things I didn't like: How Lex Luthor supposedly has the greatest intellect on Earth and yet he can't tell that Clark Kent is Superman.  He even admits to liking Clark (but hates Superman). While Clark was interviewing Lex in prison,  the Parasite went on a rampage after syphoning Clark's powers. Lex didn't seem to notice Clark using his super powers to keep him alive. With Clark by Lex's side the whole time and the Parasite hunting them down, it would have been the only logical conclusion that Clark was the cause of the Parasite's insatiable hunger for energy since Lex obviously doesn't have any powers of his own. 

Another thing that didn't make sense was Clark rescuing the guards and flying them out of the prison to safety at super speed.  Then, rather than return to the prison as Superman to take on the Parasite, he resumes his disguise as Clark Kent.

I was underwhelmed by the feature as a whole and I read that it paled in comparison to the maxi-series itself. There were times when I was wondering--when is he going to die? When is this going to end? While it was different, I can't in good conscience recommend All-Star Superman to purchase. As a rental maybe.  Out of 5 fingers I'd have to give it 2.0.