The Death and Return of Superman Blu-ray Review

Warner Bros.’ presentation of “The Death and Return of Superman” on Blu-ray showcases the expected quality characteristic of recent DC Animated Universe (DCAU) releases. Encoded in 1080p with an AVC codec, the film displays an expectedly vibrant color palette, from the bright hues of Metropolis to the dark undertones of Darkseid’s lair. Despite generally maintaining strong detail and color saturation, the disc suffers noticeable banding and color gradient issues, which are prevalent across many DCAU Blu-ray releases. The bitrate, often just under 15 Mbps, combined with a BD-25 disc capacity, contributes to these compression artifacts.

The animation is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, emphasizing the bright and bold animation style intended for 1080P presentation. Primary colors are deeply saturated, and black levels are perfect, lending an overall rich visual experience. However, there is a muted quality to some of the colors due to the animation style choice, which eschews the flashiness seen in Disney or Pixar works for a subtler, flatter image. This distinctive style lacks the bright, flashy tricks, resulting in a somewhat subdued appearance that nonetheless maintains a pleasing aesthetic quality and visual interest throughout the film.

Overall, while this Blu-ray might not exhibit the pristine quality one might expect from higher-end formats like 4K with HDR precision, it delivers a more than satisfactory visual experience for most viewers. The high level of detail, combined with well-saturated colors despite minor banding issues, aligns with the quality standards set by other WB DCAU releases.

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA track featured on the Blu-ray and 4K disc of "The Death and Return of Superman" delivers a compelling and immersive audio experience. The aggressive mix is characterized by heavy waves of LFE, providing deep and room-rattling bass, especially during battle sequences involving Supermen, Justice League members, and other formidable adversaries. These dynamic elements push the track into the 'great' category at times, with boisterous sound effects hitting from all directions. The dialogue remains clean and well-prioritized, ensuring clarity amidst the chaos. Although it doesn't quite match the audio punch of mega-budget live-action films, it stands out among DCAU entries for its impactful and vivid sound presentation.

Frederik Wiedmann's score enriches the track, adding fullness and richness to the musical bits without overshadowing the spoken lines. The surround audio approach offers a somewhat expansive soundstage with discernible directional panning, explosions, and ambient noises that effectively populate the rear channels. While it falls slightly short compared to the best theatrical mixes, it surpasses many direct-to-video animated films in its power and scope. German, Spanish (Latin), and French dubs are available in 5.1 Dolby Digital at 640 kbps, maintaining the robust audio quality across different languages. Optional subtitles in English SDH, Spanish, French, German, Finnish, Japanese, and Danish cater to a diverse audience. This DTS-HD MA mix ensures that "The Death and Return of Superman" stands as one of the more engaging audio experiences in recent DC animated releases.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "The Death and Return of Superman" offer a comprehensive mix of insightful featurettes and classic animated episodes. "Lex Luthor: The Greatest Nemesis" stands out with its in-depth analysis of the iconic villain by several DC creative figures, shedding light on his profound impact on the DC Universe. The sneak peek of "Justice League vs. The Fatal Five" delves into DC's next animated installment, providing an intriguing glimpse into character development and storyline progression. Complementing these extras are two episodes from DC's animated vault, ensuring a nostalgic trip with "Superman: The Animated Series" and "Justice League Unlimited." Additionally, trailers for prominent Warner Bros. releases round out the offerings, enhancing the viewing experience and providing a teaser for what’s next.

Extras included in this disc:

• Lex Luthor: The Greatest Nemesis: In-depth analysis of Lex Luthor by DC creatives.
• A Sneak Peek at the Next DC Universe Movie: Justice League vs. The Fatal Five: Introduction to the upcoming film.
• Superman: The Animated Series – Heavy Metal: Features John Henry Irons, aka Steel.
• Justice League Unlimited – Panic in the Sky: A top episode featuring a critical showdown.

In "Reign of the Supermen," directed by Sam Liu, the DC Animated Universe ambitiously tackles the aftermath of Superman's (Jerry O’Connell) demise, featuring a star-studded voice cast including Rebecca Romijn as Lois Lane and Rainn Wilson as Lex Luthor. Set six months post-"The Death of Superman," Metropolis grapples with the void left by its iconic hero, encountering four contenders vying for his legacy: Superboy (Cameron Monaghan), Cyborg Superman (Patrick Fabian), The Eradicator (Charles Halford), and Steel (Cress Williams). Each character presents a compelling yet different facet of Superman’s persona, challenging the city—and viewers—to discern authenticity among the contenders. Darkseid (Tony Todd), with his menacing vocal performance, adds layers to the narrative, although his presence feels somewhat diluted.

While the film excels in action-packed sequences, featuring impressive battles and dynamic visuals, it suffers from an overstuffed plot and rushed pacing. The 87-minute runtime struggles to accommodate the rich comic book lore it attempts to encapsulate, leading to a congested narrative with underdeveloped story arcs. This ambition results in a fragmented viewing experience that might alienate those less versed in DC mythology. Despite this, key moments like the confrontations at the podium and the distinct portrayal of Superboy stand out as highlights. However, the Justice League's limited involvement is a noticeable shortfall. The plot device sidelining them feels contrived, diminishing their potential impact on the story.

"Reign of the Supermen" manages to be engaging, especially for hardcore fans familiar with the intricate DC universe. Its commitment to adapting iconic comic book events is evident, yet it falters in delivering emotional depth and coherent storytelling. Essential villainous figures like Darkseid receive insufficient focus, which could have elevated the film. Despite its flaws, the movie succeeds in reintroducing beloved characters and seamlessly integrating them into the New 52-inspired animated continuity. Ultimately, while entertaining, this installment highlights the challenges of condensing expansive comic arcs into a brief runtime, reaffirming the need for perhaps a more extended format to do justice to such legendary narratives.

"Reign of the Supermen" offers a compelling conclusion to its predecessor, “The Death of Superman.” This follow-up integrates new characters like Superboy and Steel, seamlessly addressing the void left in Metropolis by Superman’s death. The film presents intense action and a cohesive storyline, ensuring a meticulously crafted spectacle. It maintains a darker tone suitable for the DCAU while leveraging top-tier voice talent to add depth to its characters. Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 with an AVC encode, the visual quality is sharp, and the DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio ensures an immersive experience.

Despite its efforts to incorporate multiple storylines from the extensive comic book series into a concise 87-minute runtime, the film sometimes feels overcrowded and rushed. Some fans may find the climax underwhelming compared to the build-up. However, the Blu-ray presentation is commendable, with high-caliber video and audio quality that aligns with the darker narrative scope of the DCAU. The special features included are engaging and enhance the overall viewing experience beyond mere filler content.

In conclusion, while "Reign of the Supermen" may not be the pinnacle of DCAU offerings, it manages to deliver a solid watch. The technical specifications are robust, including various language options and subtitles for wide accessibility. Fans of the original "The Death of Superman" will appreciate how this film ties up remaining loose ends despite a less stellar finale. The special features and technical aspects alone make it worthy of inclusion in any DCAU enthusiast’s collection.