Today’s quick review: The Death of Superman. Superman (Jerry O’Connell) is at a turning point in his life. Lex Luthor (Rainn Wilson) is under house arrest, Superman has been dating Lois Lane (Rebecca Romijn) as Clark Kent, and the time has come to decide whether to tell her his secret identity. But before he can take the next step in their relationship, he’s called away to fight Doomsday, an invincible monster headed straight for Metropolis.
The Death of Superman is an animated superhero movie that adapts the storyline of the same name from DC Comics. As the first solo Superman movie in the Justice League: War continuity, The Death of Superman is responsible for introducing Superman’s corner of the universe. The film does so adroitly, smoothly working in the background details of Superman’s world while telling a story that does justice to both Superman and Clark Kent.
The Death of Superman features a surprisingly strong story. The film works equally well as an adaptation of the comic book storyline, a primer on Superman, and a new entry in an established continuity. Each part of the sstory is interesting on its own, while the film’s skillful writing lets it pivot between these parts with ease. The capstone is a nuanced take on Supermran that gives him human cares without sacrificing his image.
At the same time, The Death of Superman offers plenty in the way of action, with early fight scenes that build into a massive showdown at the climax. The fights are a step up from the usual animated fare in terms of smoothness, creativity, and scope. The animation is done in the same clean style as the other movies in the continuity, and it’s backed by top-notch voice acting, especially from Jerry O’Connell and Rebecca Romijn.
Fans of the superhero genre should strongly consider giving The Death of Superman a shot. The film is among DC’s best animated offerings, and its polish and craftsmanship make it a great pick for both new fans and old ones. Skip it if you’re not a fan of the genre or dislike animation. For a live-action Superman origin story, try Man of Steel or the original Superman. For another solid animated pick, try Son of Batman or Justice League: War.
7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for high all-around quality.