One of the things I have truly enjoyed over the last few years have been the assortment of comic book inspired direct to DVD animated films. It all started with an agreement between Marvel and Lions Gate to produce 8 animated films. The first was Ultimate Avengers. DC quickly followed suit to start developing their own series starting with Superman: Doomsday. Recently more and more of these films have been added to Netflix. Just recently I watch Superman/Batman: Apocalypse. I actually own this film on DVD (as I do with all the animated movies by both DC and Marvel except the Thor animated one), but I decided to watch it again via Netflix just for the heck of it. What can I say, I was bored with only my Nook and a Wi-Fi connection to entertain me. Then again, what else do I need?
The story starts in Gotham with the introduction of Kara aka Supergirl. She has just arrived, has no idea who she is, speaks no English and has no control over her powers. Sounds bad right? Fortunately Batman is there and happens to have a bit of the old green rock to put a Kryptonian in his place, or in her place as the case may be. From there things just start getting exciting. Nevermind the typical fish out of water part of the story and skip to the part where Batman and Wonder Woman decide the power Kara has is too great to be out there without proper training and against wishes of Superman take Kara to Themyscira to be trained by the Amazons.
Meanwhile we get the plot line on Apocalypse as Darkseid is looking for a new leader for his honor guard. After the escape of Big Barta there does not seem to be a female warrior worthy of standing by his side. Darkseid decides to send Granny Goodness (yes that is her name and oddly enough she is voiced by Ed Asner) to capture Kara and bring him to Apokolips to become his honor guard… possibly love slave too. Who knows, maybe Darkseid likes young blondes. From then on out it is an all out battle both on Apokolips and Earth to defeat Darkseid and save Kara. With the aid of Big Barta and Wonder Woman the fights are epic and fun to watch. How the heck Batman can survive all that is beyond belief but some how not only does he fight but it is his ploy not his power that defeats Darkseid.
Of the DC assortment of films the quality is truly hit or miss. Sometimes they hit really well and you get Batman Under the Red Mask or Green Lantern First Flight and sometimes they miss really bad with Batman/Superman Public Enemies or the truly awful All-Star Superman (sweet lord was that a load of warmed over nut filled crap with a cherry on top). Apocalypse is somewhere in between but certainly on the better side of the equation. Given the fact that it is free with your Netflix subscription it is certainly worth the 90 minute run time. You will enjoy it.
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