Today’s quick review: Superman/Batman: Apocalypse. Superman (Tim Daly) meets a long-lost member of his family when his cousin Kara Zor-El (Summer Glau), a fellow survivor of the destruction of Krypton, lands on Earth. With the help of Batman (Kevin Conroy) and Wonder Woman (Susan Eisenberg), Superman helps her get accustomed to her new home. But Kara is forced to fight for her life when the tyrant Darkseid (Andre Braugher) tries to abduct her.
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is an animated superhero movie from DC. A loose sequel to Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, Apocalypse covers the arrival of Supergirl on Earth. The movie manages to tell a cohesive story while still showing off a wide section of the DC Universe, including Gotham, Metropolis, Paradise Island, and Apokalips. Coupled with a full complement of action, this makes Apocalypse a solid pick for anyone looking for a bit of adventure.
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse stitches together a satisfying story from disparate parts. The heart of the story is Kara, a young woman looking for her place in an unfamiliar world. Her personal struggle to control her powers and adapt to life on Earth is complemented nicely by the physical struggle against Darkseid. The setup also leads to some impressive action sequences that show off the powers of Kara, Darkseid, and his Furies.
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is a well-crafted movie that delivers exactly what it promises. No single facet of the movie stands out, but its balance of plot, character, and action will appeal to anyone who enjoys the more colorful side of the superhero genre. Viewers who dislike the DC style will want to steer clear, as will those hoping for something groundbreaking.
For another DC animated movie done in the same style, try Superman/Batman: Public Enemies. For an alternate take on Supergirl’s origins, try Superman: Unbound. For a Superman story with even more outlandish situations, try All-Star Superman. For more with Wonder Woman and Paradise Island, try either the animated Wonder Woman movie or Wonder Woman: Bloodlines. For a grislier confrontation with Darkseid, check out Justice League Dark: Apokalips War.
7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for solid craftsmanship.