I watched the direct to video DVD release of "Superman: Braniac Attacks" yesterday, and it was not pretty. Maybe I was spoiled by the various Bruce Timm-produced animated programs set in the DC Universe that were appealing to adults as well as kids, but there is just nothing in this program for anyone over the age of ten to enjoy. They used the designs from "Superman: The Animated Series" and some of the voice cast (including Tim Daly and Dana Delany), but the characterizations are inconsistent.
The Luthor character, in particular, bears no resemblance to the character from the "Superman:TAS" or "Justice League" shows other than being drawn off of the same model sheet. He comes across as a neurotic buffoon in this presentation.
The plot concerns Lex Luthor teaming up with Braniac to bring down Superman, with a romantic subplot revolving around the archetypal Superman/Lois/Clark love triangle that isn't really a triangle. The latter is more interesting than the former, but not by much.
Two key character voices were re-cast, with Powers Boothe playing Lex Luthor and Lance Henriksen playing Braniac. Both are fine voice actors, as were their predecessors, but the writing is just so incredibly bad, that they don't really get a chance to make their own mark. The dialog is beyond banal.
On the technical side, the quality of the animation is up to and maybe even a little beyond the level of its predecessors, and the DVD presentation is solid. The 4:3 image looked rock solid and artifact-free even blown up to fill the middle of a 100" 16:9 screen. The DD5.1 soundtrack is a step-up from the pro-logic tracks on previous DC animated releases, but not at the level of a theatrical production in terms of creating an enveloping experience. Since the film largely consists of Superman and Braniac interminably pounding the H-E-double hockey sticks out of each other, the subwoofer does get a modest work-out.
The failure of this release should be laid squarely at the feet of writer Duane Capizzi ("The Batman" "Jackie Chan Adventures") who fails to do justice to what has come before. I would advise the folks at Warner/DC to involve some of the writing talent from their previously successful series such as Timm, Paul Dini, or Dwayne McDuffie if they revisit this universe again.
Regards,
The Luthor character, in particular, bears no resemblance to the character from the "Superman:TAS" or "Justice League" shows other than being drawn off of the same model sheet. He comes across as a neurotic buffoon in this presentation.
The plot concerns Lex Luthor teaming up with Braniac to bring down Superman, with a romantic subplot revolving around the archetypal Superman/Lois/Clark love triangle that isn't really a triangle. The latter is more interesting than the former, but not by much.
Two key character voices were re-cast, with Powers Boothe playing Lex Luthor and Lance Henriksen playing Braniac. Both are fine voice actors, as were their predecessors, but the writing is just so incredibly bad, that they don't really get a chance to make their own mark. The dialog is beyond banal.
On the technical side, the quality of the animation is up to and maybe even a little beyond the level of its predecessors, and the DVD presentation is solid. The 4:3 image looked rock solid and artifact-free even blown up to fill the middle of a 100" 16:9 screen. The DD5.1 soundtrack is a step-up from the pro-logic tracks on previous DC animated releases, but not at the level of a theatrical production in terms of creating an enveloping experience. Since the film largely consists of Superman and Braniac interminably pounding the H-E-double hockey sticks out of each other, the subwoofer does get a modest work-out.
The failure of this release should be laid squarely at the feet of writer Duane Capizzi ("The Batman" "Jackie Chan Adventures") who fails to do justice to what has come before. I would advise the folks at Warner/DC to involve some of the writing talent from their previously successful series such as Timm, Paul Dini, or Dwayne McDuffie if they revisit this universe again.
Regards,