#Superman:Unbound

[adamwatchesmovies]

Superman: Unbound (2013)

Superman: Unbound is a perfectly fine adventure featuring the Man of Steel. Not among DC's best animated films, it nonetheless offers plenty for fans of the characters.

Based on the Superman: Brainiac run by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, this is also a kinda-sorta sequel to Superman/Batman Apocalypse. When Superman (voiced by Matt Bomer) encounters an alien android, it is recognized by Supergirl (Molly Quinn) as an emissary of Brainiac (John Noble). The invader's mission is to collect all of the knowledge in the universe. To do so, Brainiac must limit the information worth collecting by destroying every civilization he encounters. Now, he's set his sight on Earth.

Those who've read the graphic novel will immediately notice the art style is quite different from the source. While the picture looks great, it's noticeably limited by the budget of a straight-to-home video adventure. It's a shame Gary Frank's realistic art style had to be simplified but when Superman, Supergirl, Brainiac, his drones, and Lois Lane (who looks particularly good and is voiced by Stana Katic) are in motion, they're visually appealing. There are a few scenes where computer graphics are noticeably used to construct some of the more difficult elements of the story, such as background elements or Brainiac’s mothership. Overall they were well - if not perfectly - blended in.

The issues with the film could be categorized as nitpicks. Before I address them let me remind you that Superman: Unbound is perfectly fine as-is. As an introduction to Brainiac, it covers all the bases. The character interactions add some dimension to them, the action scenes are satisfying, and the story is solid. That said, I was disappointed by certain aspects. Ultimately, the film turns into a big slug-fest between a buff Brainiac and Superman during the last 15 or so minutes. I’m not opposed to action, but it’s a missed opportunity. We’ve seen Superman punch robots into scrap before. Outmuscling the smart villain isn't all that satisfying. There is technically a moment where brains - not brawns - ultimately counts but you don't get that lightbulb that glows so bright it blows up kind of reveal despite a smart moment of thinking that turns the tide of the battle.

I was also annoyed at a few unnecessary moments throughout. We see Brainiac’s emissaries killing people numerous times. Why? To make the story "more adult"? It's not shocking and doesn't add tension to the story. If the robots had placed their palms on the people’s heads and they rolled their eyes back and started drooling as if their minds had been drained of all information you could have had the same effect. Other “adult”/”mature” moments, like Lois Lane giving Brainiac the finger could have easily been omitted. Those few seconds would have been better spent elsewhere.

Let's get back to what works. This is a much better use of Supergirl than the last time we saw her. Lois Lane is great. All of the scenes at the Daily Planet are enjoyable and help Superman's home of Metropolis… although it does remind me of the worst scene of the film, in which the newspaper employees defeat a bunch of Brainiac’s robots by pushing them out of a window. These constructs go toe-to-toe with Superman… and regular people can take them out? Yikes. The scenes set in space or on Brainiac’s ship are all good. I’m certain most people won’t share my criticisms of the picture and overall, I'd categorize them as minimal. It's successful enough to make you understand why someone wanted to take the comic book and turn it into a movie. With the way it concludes, several plot points could be expanded upon and I’d love to see a follow-up. I may not have been pleased with the way the action action action! played out, but when it comes to the overall story, both when Superman is donning his cape and when he’s just Clark Kent, I was loving it.

Sometimes good is good enough. If you’re interested in this picture, you’ll enjoy it. Despite my criticisms, I certainly did. Check out Superman: Unbound and when you do, stay until after the end credits. (On Blu-ray, July 29, 2015)

[mrmaleficent]

Watching Superman: Unbound...

I wish Marvel would make animated films like DC comics does. Superman/Doomsday and Wonderwoman could've easily been in theaters and done very well with their quality. I didn't care much for neither of the Green Lantern animated ones though. 

[blueaerynworld]

That strange moment when Superman Unbound:, with Stana Katic as the voice of Lois Lane, ends the same way as the season five finale of Castle. Also with Stana Katic as Kate Beckett. Girl is getting proposed to all over the place.

[simplechie419]

White Collar, Blue Tights! http://digital.modernluxury.com/publication/index.php?i=157552&p=38

[worldsfinestonline]

Lois Lane being awesome in "Superman: Unbound"

http://www.worldsfinestonline.com

[mattbomeritaly]

[blueaerynworld]

Men. Always finding a way to leave when things get scary.

Lois Lane to Clark Kent in Superman:Unbound In the voice of Stana Katic that was eery as she could have been saying that as Kate Beckett to Richard Castle.

[simplechie419]

White Collar, Blue Tights!

[mattbomeritaly]

WonderCon 

Superman: Unbound

[mattbomeritaly]

Domani venerdì 29 marzo 2013 ore 6.00 PM Matt Bomer CI SARA'! Lui è il doppiatore di Superman. Allora, ci saranno foto nuove dell'8^ meraviglia del mondo e.. qualche dichiarazione? :)

- Anaheim Convention Center

800 W. Katella Ave.,

Anaheim, CA 92802

www.worldsfinestonline.com

[alwayskatebeckett]

SUPERMAN UNBOUND with Stana Katic as Lois Lane, and MollyQuinn as Supergirl