Superman / Batman: Public Enemies (2009)

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Overview

Superman/Batman: Public Eneimes is a animated film by Warner Brothers Animation based on the Public Eneimes story arc in the Superman/Batman comic book.It is a action adventure film.

The story follows Batman and Superman battle both heroes and vilians as they try to prove their innocence and stop Lex Luthors plan, whatever it is..

Creation

The film was directed by Sam Liu who had previously done work for Marvel and Lionsgate on the Hulk Vs. film. Public Eniemes was the 6th animated feature by Warner Bros.

Stan Berkowitz is credited with the script but it is based on the story line written by Jeph Leob.Bruce Timm produced the film continuing his involvment in the DC Animated Universe.

Plot Summary

A giant Kryptonite metor is hurling towards earth. The United States is in a severe economic depression, in the publics look for hope they elect Lex Luthor to the presidency of the United States.Under the Luthor administration the economy begins to turn around Luthor also introduces state sponored superheroes in the form of Captain Atom, Starfire, Katana, Black Lightning, Power Girl, and Major Force other superheroes don't agree or trust Luthor.

Luthor is forced to go to Superman and ask for his help incase his plan to destroy the metor fails as a back up. During the meeting Superman begins to feel ill, realizing Luthor has brought kryptonite with him he begins to attack Luthor.Metallo is revealed to be the source of the kyrtonite. Superman attacks Metallo while Luthor makes his escape. Battling through a cemetary Batman comes and aides Superman blowing Metallo up and forcing him to reconstitute giving them time to escape in the sewers. While in the sewers Superman reveals he has a piece of kryptonite embedded in him as they slowly walk through the sewers. When they get to the Batcave Batman removes the kryptonite.

Later that night after Metallo puts himself together he is murdered by a unknown assaliant. A recovering Superman and Batman learn the murder has been pinned on Superman with Luthor saying the approaching metor is effecting his judgement, Batman is also implicated as his partner in crime. To ensue they are captured Luthor puts a 1 billion dollar bounty on their heads.

With the threat of the meteor still presesnt they break into S.A.R.S. Labs to get more information as well as look at Metallos remains. While looking over his remains they discover that intense radiation has killed him they are interuptted by security guards though forcing them to flee. Outside they come across a massive grouping of villians consisting of : Silver Banshee, Captain Cold, Icicle, Killer Frost, Mr. Freeze, Gorilla Grodd, Bane, Black Manta, Black Spider, Brimstone, Catman, Cheetah, Copperhead, Deadshot, Kestrel, King Shark, Brutale, Despero, Giganta, Girder, Lady Shiva, Mongul, Captain Boomerang II, Nightshade, Parasite, Solomon Grundy, and Shrik all intent on getting the billion dollar bounty.Superman and Batman are able to stop the villians easily but Luthors state sponsored heroes arive led by Capton Atom meaning to arrest them both.During the battle Power Girl is unsure of the right thing to do. Superman and Batman are able to escape with Power Girl.

Inside the bunker Luthors plan to blow up the meteor has failed. Amanda Waller discovers that Luthor has been injecting himself with a kryptonite steroid making him stronger and smarter but also completly insane.In his insanity Luthor now plans to let the meteor hit earth so that he can rule the worlds survivors.

Speaking to Power Girl she reveals that Luthor is acting strange and she dosen't belive the Superman would kill Metallo. When Captain Atom and the rest of the heroes show up Batman realizes that Major Force is the one who killed Metallo with his radiation. Force admits to this making Power Girl punch him so hard she breaks his suit casuing him to have a meltdown. Atom in his anguish over helping Luthor absorbs Forces energey leaving nothing but his empty suit.

The duo now head to Luthors bunker with the evidence they need to clear their names and enogh data to destroy the meteor. After battling Hawkman and Shazam they expose Luthors plot but still require the data in the bunker.Revealed to be a villian Luthor erases the computers but Amanda Waller is able to give them a copy letting them rush to Japan to see the Toyman. Waller tries to get the military to arrest Luthor but he over powers them and puts on a power suit and heads after the duo. Toyman has made a rocket powerful enough to take out the meteor in the form of a compsite Superman Batman, he made it when he had a lot of hero worship. Luthor shows up and destorys the controls forcing Batman to pilot the craft himself as Superman battles Luthor.

In space Batman sucesfully destroys the meteor but seems to perish saving the earth. Angered Superman violently rips into Luthors armor nearly killing him for killing his friend.After defeating Luthor and exposing him Superman rushes into space and finds Batman alive in the escape pod.Luthor is taken into custody though he madly raves he is the president and can not be arrested. Superman leaves with Lois Lane while Batman comments its time to go to work as the sun begins to set.

Production

The animators tried to keep with the art style of Ed McGuinness who illustrated the story. The voice cast was many of the normal DC Animated Universe regulars including Kevin Conroy,Tim Daly and Clancy Brown.

Several different releases of the film were made a single disc DVD and Blu Ray as well as a special edition Blu Ray with a DVD and digital copy as well as more bonus features. Specifically closer looks at upcoming DC animated projects and comic books.

The success of the movie led to Warner Bros announcing a sequel Superman/Batman: Apocalypse based on the "Super Girl from Krypton" story

Critical Reception

Will Wade from Common Sense Media gave the film a positive review saying "Framed superheroes fight back -- and fight some more."

Felix Vasquez Jr. from Cinema Crazed said it was "Yet another great direct to DVD feature" in a positive review

Other reviews were not so positive

Jeffrey M. Anderson did not like the emphasis on action scenes over the relationship between Superman and Batman saying it "centers on the interesting relationship between the two title heroes, but wastes time with lots and lots of cameos by other superheroes and super-villains."

John J. Puccio did not like the paint by numbers calling it "mechanical, from the characters to the plot to the action." he also thought it would please "It may please hard-core fans, but I doubt that it will gain many new ones."

The main point of contention was the constand action spots over developing the characters and releationship between Batman and Superman.