So I recently finished watching Stanley Kubrick’s Barry
Lyndon. All of my homeboys in the
hood will beat me senseless when I confess that until last night I had never
seen this movie before. I know it is a
sacrilege for us movie lovers but for whatever reason this film was always
strangely elusive to me, never in any rental stores, I never had a friend from
whom I could steal a copy and I have not seen it on Netflix. Finally, I was able to obtain a copy through
a special order down at my favorite retail conglomerate and once said copy was
purchased via several Federal Reserve notes I sat down with a large bowl of
Frosted Shredded Wheat and watched away.
I loved the film, it is a gorgeous work. God, I love Kubrick so much.
Though it clocks in at a meaty three hours I’m sure I will be watching
it again very soon. In the meantime I
will do a little research to pick up on all the nuances and art references
which I could only understand on the most basic of levels since a college
education is worth absolutely nothing these days. I left Barry Lyndon feeling as though I had experienced something
beautiful and majestic. The film was
much like sipping a sumptuous earthy red while nibbling on brie. Two nights ago I watched Inland Empire
– David Lynch’s last movie (please make more soon Dave, I love you and I need
you!) and that movie was much like drinking several bottles of red before
dropping acid and then taking copious amounts of angel dust. That was also a three-hour epic and also a
film I will watch again very soon for it too moved me. I can’t say I understood it at all but I was
severely creeped out before experiencing an amazing euphoric relief in the
final scene (very common when I watch Lynch films). I have often wished that my life at some point would become a
David Lynch movie or an H.P. Lovecraft story, I will never stop hoping for
this. Lovecraft is so good! Damn you Kubrick and Lynch and
Lovecraft! You are all so amazing it
makes me realize how little I have done and will ever do in my life! The sheer splendor of your art makes me want
to leap from the top of the highest skyscraper and then realize too late what a
mistake suicide is and consequently die feeling nothing but intense fear and
regret.
Oddly, I’m not here today to talk about either of those
movies or a Lovecraft story but rather the latest film in Warner Brothers and
DC Comics slate of animated flicks: Superman vs. The Elite.
I was once speaking to my beloved friend Calvin Black
(student of the dark arts and master of distortion) about various comic book
heroes. I recall the scene with such
clarity it is as though I am now watching it on an anamorphic widescreen
blu-ray recording via a Sony blu-ray player and a 56” Panasonic high definition
television set. We were having dinner
at Lizarraga’s, a great little Mexican place in the dark heart of downtown
Portland. Truth be told, Portland is
not world renowned for it’s Mexican food however this fine establishment seems
to live well within its own pocket universe.
The waitress was a lovely woman named Chopita who was only just starting
to show in her pregnancy. I said a
silent prayer that future pregnancy weight would also be distributed to her
already generous hips and thighs and that I may see this glorious sight again
upon a return visit.
Without warning Black turned to me while chewing on a thick
and greasy piece of chicken enchilada and with sauce running down his chin and staining his Green Bay t-shirt said, “The complexities of the
narratives and the undeniable talent inherent in the creation and continued
evolution of sequential art notwithstanding, I am a bit nonplussed by the
seemingly stagnant and frankly dogmatic views on the vigilante’s role in
punishment doling so commonly ascribed to Spider-Man, Batman and especially
Superman, particularly in this contemporary post modern world. How do you rationalize that character
trait?”
I took a greedy gulp from a bottle of Corona and followed
Chopita’s full figured sway as she walked by our table. I reminded myself she was with child and
vowed to find her one day on the other side, where all are equal. And though I can recall all the details of
her sumptuous curvature I cannot recall with any degree of clarity the answer I
gave to Black on that great evening, where friends were friends and lovers were
lovers and we could all be free if only for a moment.
Fortunately we have this new movie that answers his question
a lot better than I ever could. In a
tortoise shell the premise of Superman vs. The Elite finds the man of
steel wondering if he is outdated, particularly in his choice not to be
executioner to the criminals he apprehends.
A new super group called the Elite shows up and they are willing to take
the step that ol’ blue eyes won’t. As
the world reacts with approving applause to their extreme ways Superman must
question the validity of his moral code in today’s more violent world and if
there is a still a need for his brand of justice.
The premise is gold (not to be confused with The Artist
Formerly Known As Prince song “Gold” from the superb 95’ release The Gold
Experience) and is one explored before in the comics medium. Knightfall, Knightquest and Knightsend were
all long running story arcs in Batman comic books throughout the 90’s which saw
the Dark Knight put out of commission through a brutal injury and replaced by
an increasingly more extreme mantel-bearer.
The stories really examined the need for restraints, the need for a
moral code and why even these heroes should not be above the law in these
respects.
Flash forward to 2001 and Action Comics #775, a beefy
anniversary special that condensed some primary themes of the aforementioned
several years worth of storylines into a single splendid issue titled “What’s
so funny about truth, justice and the American way?” (Elvis Costello rocks so
hard!). The comic itself has received
countless accolades with some calling it the best Superman story of all time
and one of the best comics of the past 30 years (I can’t be bothered to find
out who said those things but I am sure they were said). But I am not here to review the comic but
rather the animated film adaptation.
Does this stand up as it’s own separate work? Will folks who don’t read comics be able to follow and appreciate
the narrative? Are the themes fleshed
out enough to bring it all home like Mark McGrath after a juicy cocktail of
roids and self-loathing (eagle eyed observers and sports or pop music
enthusiasts will note that in my attempt to bring a bit of acerbic humor into
the mix I foolishly confused famed baseball cheater Mark McGwire with Sugar Ray
front-man Mark McGrath, truly both men are giants in their respective field but
only one do I consider worthy of inviting to my upcoming 59th
birthday where we will share a piece of tres leches cake while waxing poetic on
the frivolities of life and reveling in our own oily disenchantment with it
all)? I am pleased as a rat bastard to
answer yes to all of these questions.
Let me hit on all the main points.
The story is as smooth and captivating as it was in the
source. It is always a delight to see
these much beloved tales brought to life and that excitement has not diminished
from the very first of these releases several years ago. Very often these animated films are better
than their live action counterparts.
The writing here is excellent and the central question at the story’s
heart is addressed and more than adequately answered in a way that feels
organic and quite thrilling. Especially
noteworthy is the climax, which I will touch upon again in a moment.
The voice is acting is superb with the two leads George
Newbern as Superman and Robin Atkin Downs as Manchester Black – charismatic
leader of the Elite and one of the more memorable Superman antagonists of
recent years – doing great work.
Newbern in particular brings his A-game in a performance that really
hits a high during the last ten minutes.
Indeed the last ten minutes is an intense and phenomenal scene. Without spoiling any fruit the scene in
question begins with an organized televised confrontation in the streets of
Metropolis and then goes to the moon.
Speaking of the moon I know the Zelda game Ocarina of Time received all
the accolades and it’s an amazing game to be sure but am I the only one who
prefers Majora’s Mask? That was a
killer game! The moon crashing into the
earth would be such a downer.
There’s something I need to address here. Two of my favorite artists of all time are
David Bowie and Amaral (which is technically a band though the only permanent
members appear to be Eva Amaral and Juan Aguirre). Is it just me or does Amaral seem to borrow a bit of the melody
of the stupendous, classic Bowie track “Rebel Rebel” for their own great song
“Todo La Noche En La Calle”? Seriously,
listen to the damn songs, the feel of them, the rhythm; it’s similar, right? It’s damn near exactly the same,
right?! I’m not just a crazy old
bastard imagining things! The songs are both below, pay extra
special and extra loveable attention to the post chorus section of the Bowie
song at 1:24 with that crazy awesome iconic guitar riff and where he sings “do
do do do do do do do”, that is the EXACT same melody Eva Amaral uses in the
chorus of their song at 0:44 when she sings “todo la noche en la calle”! Hell, at 3:12 she even starts singing in the
background something like “na na na na na na na na” which sounds just like what
Bowie does in his song! I know it’s the
same, I know it is! I’ve lain awake at
nights, endless nights, with those melodies rolling around in the dark inner
corridors of my mind. Turn on both
songs at the same time and blow out your speakers and you will see that I’m
right! Could be a coincidence, who
knows?! They are both great songs and I
will continue to love them both. They
should tour together and duet on these respective songs. I would kill anyone – except these artists –
and bath merrily in their blood to see that happen. Oh Eva, oh David, I’ve prepared the room, won’t you join me
tonight? Please just hold me for
awhile…I’m so alone…I’m so cold….
Sadly, there are faults to this release and it’s pains me to
list them as is this is typically a line of films of the utmost quality. The animation here may actually be the worst
of this entire series of DC animated movies.
Doug Mahnke (the penciller for Action Comics #775) has a very distinct
exaggerated but detailed style of art and it is obvious why it was difficult to
translate to an animated setting.
Unfortunately it does not seem like nearly the same effort was put into
the attempt in comparison to past movies.
Stacked up against the gorgeous animation in Batman Year One, Justice
League: Crisis on Two Earths, Wonder Woman or the other two Superman
movies – All Star and Doomsday – it is hard not to view the renderings
here as something of a lazy let down.
There are moments when the animation really clicks (again, EVERYTHING
during the last, most pivotal scenes is near flawless) and it definitely works
better in the close ups where more detail can be brought in. Overall, I do not feel this movie will be
revered or remembered for it’s animation and it is a letdown that this aspect
could not have been as top notch as the story.
Actually, upon watching the movie again after completing the
last paragraph I realized it’s not the animation I should criticize but the
character designs. The animation is
actually as smooth and precise as ever but the designs are too sloppy. What a dumbass I am, not able to distinguish
between the two, simply content to hide behind the security of my computer
screen and type away on my sticky keyboard, spewing my venom. Sorry animators, I owe you all a drink. What the hell, I’ll buy drinks for the fine
folks who did the character designs as well, who am I judge? I’ve never done anything worth a damn in my
life. The only thing I know how to do
well is push away those I love most.
The blu-ray/dvd itself comes with the usual set of special features
we’ve all come to expect from these releases.
The commentary track by the writer (of the comic and movie) Joe Kelly
and editor Eddie Berganza is informative and fun. I have slavishly adored past commentary tracks by the voice
actors, casting director and Bruce Timm and miss those folks but these
gentlemen are obviously very close to the material and their commentary is of
near equal delight. This track is the
main noteworthy special feature here.
The two documentaries – one on the Elite themselves and the other a
philosophical examination of Superman’s code of honor – will only interest
hardcore fans who will likely already know all the information discussed. Trailers, bonus episodes from Superman: the
Animated Series and a sneek peek at the next movie in this series (an
ass-penetratingly awesome looking adaptation of Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight
Returns which will actually be divided into TWO movies!!!!!) round out the
set. The feature itself is definitely
the main attraction here, as it should be.
Ultimately, some dodgy animation does nothing to diminish
the hearty recommend I give to this latest release. The storyline and acting are fantastic and thematically it stands
up against the best Superman movies including the Christopher Reeve films. This is a major contender for the best film
of this entire animated line and I hope everyone has a chance to see it. I especially hope Calvin Black watches it at
some point during our miserable lives.
Hopefully it will answer his question in ways my ignorant, inadequate
largesse never could.
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