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All-Star Superman 4K UHD Review

“All-Star Superman” is an engaging but flawed adaptation. 

Based on the 12 issue comic series by writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely, 2011’s “All-Star Superman” is a feature-length animated film adaptation. The central story finds Lex Luthor setting a trap for Superman in which a deadly dose of solar radiation is slowly killing the superhero. With time running out, Clark tells Lois Lane that he is Superman while also dealing with other matters that include superpower serums, Dinosaur Men, Parasite, Atlas and Samson, Ultra Sphinx, 2 Kryptonian astronauts, and Solaris. 

Revisiting the DC animated film more than 12 years after its release, it’s easier to see what director Sam Liu and the late writer Dwayne McDuffie were trying to accomplish with this adaptation of Morrison’s beloved comic run. The film attempts to incorporate the mythical episodic/chapter structure of the comics while also focusing on the core 3 characters of Superman/Clark, Lois, and Lex. “All-Star Superman” is at its best when it explores the dynamics between these 3 characters and the bigger themes of mortality and identity. The bond between Lois and Clark and Lex’s arc are particularly rewarding here. Voice actors James Denton (Superman), Christina Hendricks (Lois Lane) and Anthony LaPaglia (Lex Luthor) really help bring the characters to life as well.

Where the film stumbles is with trying to adapt the episodic nature of the comics. Considering there are 12 issues worth of story, a lot of storylines were cut out of the 78 minute animated film. As a result, the structure of the story can feel very disjointed with characters and storylines just appearing out of the blue ala the Parasite jail break, Lex’s niece, and the Dinosaur Men. “All-Star Superman” really would have been better suited as an animated mini-series or even an anthology movie (or movies) that would do the full saga justice. 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.78:1 2160p. How does it look? Happy to report this new 4K disc is a step up from the Blu-ray. The animation and colors are noticeably sharper.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? Expect a satisfactory audio experience.

Extras:
* Blu-ray copy
* Digital copy
* “An All-Star Adaptation”- A new extra about adapting the comic series into an animated feature. Interviews are included.
* “An All-Star Salute To The Silver Age”- Another new extra. This one is all about the Silver Age era of Superman and how Morrison paid homage to it in “All-Star Superman.”
* “The Creative Flow: Incubating The Idea With Grant Morrison”- A look at Morrison’s vision for the story.
* “All-Star Superman” Digital Comic
* Commentary by Bruce Timm and Grant Morrison.
* “Superman Now”- Interviews with Grant Morrison and Dan DiDio.
* On the Blu-ray- WB ads, sneak peeks for “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights,” “Superman/Batman: Apocalypse,” and “Batman: Under The Red Hood” and “Superman: The Animated Series” episodes “Blast From The Past” Parts 1 and 2. 

April 22, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | All-Star Superman, All-Star Superman 4K UHD Review, Superman, Warner Bros.