SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES Review
While this might not be the best film in the DC Direct series, the Blu-ray transfer in 1080p/VC-1 is crystal clear. The film's bold color palette is captured on this release equally as beautiful as previous releases. A touch of pixilated edges keeps the release from being perfect, but will probably only annoy the Blu-ray elitists. As for the soundtrack, the Dolby Digital 5.1 isn't utilized as profoundly as one would expect from an action-packed story. The back speakers are underused and the directionality is flat.
Deeper than the film, the special features offer some nice surprises. In "Dinner with DCU and Special Guest Kevin Conroy," executive producer Bruce Timm, Batman voice actor Kevin Conroy, casting director Andrea Romano, and DC SVP of Creative Affairs Greg Noveck sit down for dinner and discuss past and present DC animated adaptations. For fans of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, the foursome go into the history of finding the right voice (in more ways than one) for the popular series. They also delved into PUBLIC ENEMIES and the influences on DC productions. The casual feature is in-depth and fun. While big fans might find "A Test of Minds: Superman and Batman" a bit thin and obvious, new fans might find this short doc on the history of Superman and Batman's friendship a nice history lesson. Continuing the Superman/Batman team-up theme, the disc features four episodes of JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED and two episodes of SUPERMAN where the duo partner up. The six TV episodes are actually better than the main feature. "A First Look at Justice League: A Crisis on Two Earths" is a cursory look at the next DC Direct release. There are also trailers for other DC Direct titles, as well as a sneak peek at the "Blackest Night" comic run that was also on the GREEN LANTERN: FIRST FLIGHT disc.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
