Superman: Man of Tomorrow Blu-ray Review

Superman: Man of Tomorrow delivers an outstanding visual experience on Blu-ray, with Warner presenting the film in a 1080p/AVC-encoded image at a widescreen 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The animation style diverges significantly from typical DCAU entries, evoking comparisons to shows like Archer before the action sequences and detailed backgrounds pull you into the rich, eye-catching aesthetic. The transfer showcases strong line detail, exceptional shading, and impressive shadow depth, with vibrant, eye-popping colors and inky blacks enhancing the dynamic visuals. These features make the Blu-ray release a compelling view, rivaling previous DCAU films in visual quality.

The Blu-ray's 1080p transfer adeptly handles Man of Tomorrow's ultra-clean style, maintaining a stable and attractive image throughout its runtime. The color palette varies from bold primaries to muted tones, and both bright daytime scenes and darker moments are well-represented, with excellent shadow detail and minimal black crush. Despite a relatively low bit rate, typically under 20Mbps, the presentation executes well, with only occasional minor issues such as trace banding and slight jagged lines during certain mouth movements. These artifacts are often intrinsic to the source material or native format and do not detract significantly from the overall viewing experience.

While a 4K release would undoubtedly offer tighter visuals, this Blu-ray edition holds its own firmly. The disc's encoding is comparable to other similarly styled titles like Archer and The Venture Bros., proving sufficient for a majority of viewers. Though hardcore connoisseurs may yearn for the additional finesse of 4K, this Blu-ray release will satisfy most fans with its remarkable design fidelity and engaging color composition.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track on the Blu-ray release of "Superman: Man of Tomorrow" delivers a robust and immersive auditory experience through its 86-minute runtime. Dialogue clarity is maintained throughout the film, ensuring coherent communication even during high-intensity scenes. The effect channels are well-utilized, offering booming and intense soundscapes that elevate the overall action. Notably, the audio mix becomes particularly ground-shaking as the narrative builds toward its dramatic finale. The score by Kevin Riepl is competently incorporated, although it may not be particularly memorable, it does receive solid prioritization across the audio spectrum.

The six-channel track, while not pioneering new ground for DCAU releases, fulfills its role effectively. Dialogue is predominantly anchored at the front channels except during densely populated scenes, where it briefly disperses. Surround channels are judiciously employed to enhance atmospheric touches and action sequences, creating an enveloping sonic field without overshadowing key elements. Though a Dolby Atmos mix might have added another level of auditory richness, the current DTS-HD Master Audio stands out with very good dynamic range and meticulous mixing. Optional subtitles in English (SDH) are also available and formatted without sync issues, adding to the accessibility of the Blu-ray experience.

Warner Bros. outdoes itself with the extensive and varied extras on the Blu-ray of "Superman: Man of Tomorrow," offering fans a gratifying deep dive into various elements of the DC universe. The package impressively includes informative featurettes on key characters like Lobo and Martian Manhunter, providing comprehensive insights from creators and voice actors. Additionally, the inclusion of vintage Superman: The Animated Series episodes offers nostalgic value. The sneak peek at the upcoming "Batman: Soul of the Dragon" coupled with an assortment of trailers further amplifies the disc's appeal, offering a robust ancillary experience for enthusiasts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Lobo: Natural Force of Chaos: Detailed discussion on Lobo’s evolution and his portrayal in the film.
• Martian Manhunter: Lost and Found: Analysis of Martian Manhunter’s character alongside Superman.
• A Sneak Peek at DC Universe's Next Animated Movie: Insights and previews for Batman: Soul of the Dragon.
• Previews: Vintage featurettes for Justice League vs. The Fatal Five and Superman/Batman: Public Enemies.
• From the DC Vault: Two episodes of Superman: The Animated Series - "The Main Man", parts 1 and 2.
• Trailers: Promotional contents for Justice League Dark: Apokolips War, Mortal Kombat Legends, and Superman: Red Son.

"Superman: Man of Tomorrow" serves as a fresh reimagining of the iconic superhero's origins, making it accessible to new viewers while still engaging longtime fans. Directed by Chris Palmer, this animated feature blends old-school storytelling with modern narrative elements effectively. The plot kicks off with a young Clark Kent grappling with his alien identity in Kansas, only to escalate when he moves to Metropolis. There, he juggles his burgeoning powers with his job as a coffee boy at The Daily Planet, where he admires the driven and talented Lois Lane. His anonymity is jeopardized when intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo arrives brandishing a kryptonite ring, dramatically altering the trajectory of Kent's life as he steps into his Superman persona.

The visual style of "Man of Tomorrow" is striking, adopting a clean and uncluttered look akin to the "Archer" TV series but with added flair. The character design notably features a more classical Superman while giving Lois Lane a distinctive edge reminiscent of Aeon Flux. The voice cast excels, with Darren Criss as Superman and Zachary Quinto delivering a mischievous Lex Luthor. The inclusion of characters like The Martian Manhunter (voiced by Ike Amadi) and Lobo (voiced by Ryan Hurst) adds richness to the story, offering a solid mix of humor and tension. Parasite emerges as a formidable antagonist, a creature born from an industrial accident, whose energy-absorbing powers pose one of Superman’s most severe challenges yet.

Overall, "Superman: Man of Tomorrow" manages to pack a lot into its 80-minute runtime without losing its narrative thread. While some character arcs like Lois Lane's may falter slightly in the middle, the film delivers on key fronts with its well-paced storytelling and engaging conflicts. Its strong voice performances and compelling plotting make it one of the most promising entries in the animated DC universe, potentially setting the stage for future adventures that could elevate the franchise even further.

"Superman: Man of Tomorrow" is a substantial addition to the DC Animated Universe, delivering a fresh take on the beloved origin story of the Man of Steel. The film triumphs in balancing nostalgia with innovation, presenting revised characters and settings without straying from the essence that fans cherish. The narrative is fast-moving and packed with action, yet it does not shy away from incorporating darker, more serious themes. From high-octane sequences to witty dialogues, it consistently hits the right notes, ensuring an engaging experience for viewers.

Warner Bros.’ Blu-ray release of "Superman: Man of Tomorrow" exhibits top-notch technical specs that heighten the viewing experience. The video quality is excellent, offering sharp, vibrant visuals that do justice to the movie’s visual overhaul. The audio track is robust, ensuring that every intense scene and nuanced dialogue is delivered with clarity. Additionally, the Blu-ray includes a solid selection of extras that provide further insight into the making of the film and its place within the larger DC Animated Universe narrative.

While there are some minor imperfections, they hardly detract from the overall enjoyment of the film. "Superman: Man of Tomorrow" stands as an impressive new chapter, whether you opt for the standard Blu-ray or the more visually impressive 4K edition. This installment leaves a positive impression and sets a promising tone for future entries in this rebooted DCAU series. Whether you're a casual viewer or an ardent DC fan, this Blu-ray is a valuable addition to your collection.

Conclusion: It's much more organic to find an animated franchise being rebooted - much like the comics it was borne from - and after the climactic "Apokolips", it's great to see this new DC Animated Universe getting off to a great start with the fast-moving, hard-hitting, witty, but surprisingly dark "Man of Tomorrow". The jury's out as to which is correct between the Director's suggestion that this is indeed the start of a new cycle and Warner's denial of the same, but either way, it's an impressive new chapter. Warner's UK Blu-ray release - even without the niggle of not having access to the 4K release that the US gets - is very good indeed, with excellent video, strong audio, and a solid selection of extras. Fans should add this to their, by now, extensive collection.