Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Blu-ray Review

"Superman/Batman: Public Enemies" arrives on Blu-ray with an impressive 1080p/VC-1 transfer, framed in its original 1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio. The presentation leverages the limitations inherent to animated features yet stands out as exceptional within its category. Warner's encoding showcases a vibrant color scheme, highlighted by bold primaries such as Superman's iconic red and blue or Batman's deep blacks, which maintain visual integrity even in darker scenes. Luthor's battlesuit adds splashes of eye-catching lime green and mauve, while the overall palette remains vivid and engaging.

The detail offered by the Blu-ray transfer is commendable, with fine, bold lines distinguishing elements in Ed McGuinness' art-style. Black levels are top-notch, contributing to both night-set action sequences and shadow-heavy scenes. Despite these strengths, the clarity does reveal occasional flaws in the line art and some pixelated edges. Minor artifacts and banding appear intermittently, especially where colors converge with fine outlines, but issues like macroblocking or severe noise are absent, ensuring a consistently high-quality visual experience.

Overall, "Public Enemies" stands as a solid animated offering that demonstrates Warner and DC Animation's continued advancement in high-definition transfers. It manages to surpass its DVD counterpart significantly while posing strong competition to other releases such as "Green Lantern: First Flight." Despite its minor technical blemishes, this Blu-ray presentation proves the potential for animated features to deliver visually compelling experiences on modern home theater systems.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray for "Superman/Batman: Public Enemies" is rendered with a standard Dolby Digital 5.1 track, which leaves much to be desired. Despite the film's potential for an exhilarating audio experience given its action-packed scenes—featuring explosive confrontations, staggering asteroids, and high-stakes battles—the soundtrack does not fully capitalize on these opportunities. The dialogue clarity is commendable, as it comes through coherently across the front and center channels, with iconic voice actors like Kevin Conroy and Tim Daly delivering familiar portrayals of Batman and Superman respectively. However, the overall engagement of the audio presentation falls short. Key moments lack the immersive depth and dynamism that could have been achieved with a higher quality track such as Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio.

Subtle details like LFE output are inconsistent; sequences that demand powerful bass, like Batman commandeering a towering robot, deliver an underwhelming impact. Directionality remains disappointingly two-dimensional, rarely utilizing the rear speakers to their full potential. There are some exceptions where the rear channels are effectively employed, such as during an introductory car chase and a whirlwind scene created by Superman. Nevertheless, these instances are fleeting amid an otherwise flat sonic landscape. The overall sound experience is adequate but underwhelming, leaving fans of high-definition releases feeling shortchanged by the omission of lossless audio options.

In conclusion, the audio track for "Superman/Batman: Public Enemies" meets basic expectations but fails to enhance the film's dynamic sequences fully. The decision to omit a lossless audio track is particularly disappointing given the potential demonstrated in other Warner Bros. releases. This choice results in a lackluster soundscape that does not match modern high-definition standards, diminishing what could have been an engaging and memorable auditory experience.

The Blu-ray of "Superman/Batman: Public Enemies" excels in its supplemental material, featuring a captivating mix of content that delves deep into both the film's production and broader DC Universe storylines. Highlights include six episodes from "Justice League Unlimited," which serve as a compelling prequel to the movie by depicting Lex Luthor's rise to power and assault on the Justice League. Enthusiasts will enjoy the extensive "Dinner with DCU and Special Guest Kevin Conroy," an informative roundtable with key DC creative figures. Other notable extras include insightful featurettes on Superman and Batman's dynamic, previews of upcoming DC Animation projects, and a detailed look at the "Blackest Night" event. However, fans may notice that many features are ported from previous releases and are presented in standard-definition.

Extras included in this disc:

• Dinner with DCU and Special Guest Kevin Conroy: Extensive roundtable discussion.
• A Test of Minds: Superman and Batman: Insight into the psychological aspects of the characters.
• Justice League Unlimited and Superman Episodes: Six episodes selected by Bruce Timm.
• A First Look at Justice League: A Crisis on Two Earths: Project preview.
• DC Animation Project Previews: Promos for other DC animated films.
• Blackest Night: Examination of the Green Lantern storyline.
• Digital Copy of the Film: Windows Media format.

"Superman/Batman: Public Enemies," Warner's sixth entry into its direct-to-video DC Universe lineup, is an animated film adapted from the first arc of Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness' popular comic series. Featuring a high-octane narrative that pits Superman and Batman against Lex Luthor, newly elected President of the United States, the film offers a bounty of action sequences but falls short in character development. While the film's animation style adheres to McGuinness' muscular and exaggerated designs, it often feels more suited to children's merchandise than an engaging adult animation. The truncated script further undercuts the rich internal dialogues that make the comic compelling, diluting both heroes' psychological depth and emotional resonance.

On the technical side, the Blu-ray transfer is commendable for its video quality, showcasing vibrant colors and sharp detail synonymous with high-definition animation. Audio-wise, the mix is competent but lacks the dynamic range that would elevate action scenes. Tim Daly and Kevin Conroy reprise their iconic roles as Superman and Batman respectively, delivering strong vocal performances alongside Clancy Brown's charismatic Lex Luthor. However, supporting characters like Black Lightning suffer from minimal dialogue, which feels like a missed opportunity.

While hardcore fans may find some solace in the numerous cameos from third and fourth-tier villains and allies, the plot holes and simplified narrative may disappoint those familiar with the original comics. Newcomers might find the film slightly more engaging but should be wary of its conservative PG-13 rating, which sees minimal violence and mild language. In summary, "Public Enemies" entertains with its relentless action but lacks the narrative heft and emotional complexity needed to be a standout in DC's animated repertoire.

The Blu-ray release of "Superman/Batman: Public Enemies" delivers a mixed experience, marked by solid video quality but underwhelming audio and extras. Fans of Ed McGuinness and Jeph Loeb's original work may find the adaptation lacking in depth, while newcomers might only consider it mildly entertaining. The video transfer indeed shines, exhibiting crisp visuals that justice the animated action sequences. However, the Dolby Digital audio track lacks the richness and immersion a lossless audio could have provided, making the overall auditory experience subpar for a high-definition release.

Plot-wise, "Public Enemies" is action-centric, catering predominantly to audiences interested in watching Superman and Batman's superhero exploits rather than narrative complexities. Hardcore fans of DC animated content might appreciate this inclusion in their collections, notably for its decent dinner supplement. Conversely, the brevity of the special features offers little additional value, and casual viewers will likely be content with a short-term rental.

In conclusion, "Superman/Batman: Public Enemies" on Blu-ray is a serviceable addition to any DC aficionado's library but holds limited appeal for the broader audience. While the visual fidelity is commendable, the lack of high-quality audio tracks and substantial extras diminish its allure. Thus, this release is best suited for passionate fans rather than those seeking an enriching animated experience.