Os Homens-Bala

Bulleteers, The (1942)

** (out of 4)

A maniac scientist creates a "bullet car", which is pretty much just what it sounds like. Criminals can drive this car, which flies like a bullet, into any building and knock it down. Naturally Lois finds herself trapped by the bad guys and only Superman can save her. I'm new to this series and watching them in the order that they were released and there's no question, even only five shorts in, that they all follow the same plot outline with just a new villain added. The build up is always the same as is the way Lois gets herself involved. With that said, this short was pretty boring from start to reason. One reason is that I was disappointed with the animation, which wasn't anything to write home about. Another reason was the actual story because it just wasn't that good or entertaining. The villain was the biggest problem because it too didn't add any excitement.

A mad scientist has developed a bullet car. It can crash into buildings and the robbers steering it, plan to get inside the treasury and steal from the safe.

The scientists wants to extort money from Metropolis or else.

When the mayhem from the bullet car stops the presses at the Daily Planet. Superman leaps into action.

This one is a bit slow to get going. Superman struggles with the bullet shaped car which can also fly like a rocket.

As per usual Lois Lane shows her ability move at the speed of light and where did she find that wench from.

In the Fleischer Brothers Superman cartoons, Lois Lane is unusually stupid. Even compared to the 1950s Lois from TV, this one seems bent on getting herself killed. And, like in almost all the cartoons, she is saved and doesn't learn a darn thing!

The cartoon begins with a weird bullet-like car/airplane destroying things and then the leader of some weird criminal gang announcing to Metropolis that they must pay him or he'll destroy the town (you'd THINK he'd pick on some town OTHER than the one in which Superman lives!!). Soon, the Bulleteers appear and begin unleashing terror. Not surprisingly, Superman comes to the rescue AND Lois gets herself nearly killed in the process.

Like the other Superman cartoons of the era, this one is beautifully animated but the story is very, very simple. One reviewers loved how the action never let up--I just thought it lacked depth. Mildly interesting.

I love the Fleischer Superman cartoons. The animation is smooth and fluid with vivid colors. The distinct art-deco style, vintage science fiction imagery, and use of noirish shadows gave them a look unlike any other cartoons. The music and voice work is superb. They're fun, accessible, enduring animation classics.

The fifth in the series is about a group of costumed criminals known as the Bulleteers. They have a bullet-shaped rocket car and are terrorizing the city, destroying buildings and thumbing their noses at the law. They also have the coolest secret lair on top of a mountain outside of town. The mayor tries to organize the police to stop them but it's no use! As the Bulleteers' rampage continues, Superman shows up. But, as he fails to stop them, we have to ask: are the Bulleteers too much for the Man of Steel?

Another great Fleischer Superman cartoon, although a step below the previous entries in the series. The Bulleteers' rocket car and awesome mountaintop hideout are cool visuals like you expect from this series. I also loved the scenes of the police scrambling to fortify and fight back against the seemingly indestructible rocket car. Those little touches are prime examples of the beauty of the Fleischer cartoons. There's so much going on that's just fun and exciting to watch.

In THE BULLETEERS, a gang of nefarious criminals flies through Metropolis crashing through buildings at will. They're soaring around in a ballistic juggernaut, and they're attempting to extort money from the entire city.

These guys even give Superman some trouble!

Then, Lois is captured by them, and our hero takes things up a notch. An epic battle unfolds.

This fifth instalment in the Fleischer bros. Series is definitely exciting! The titular gang and their vehicle are an innovative addition.

Recommended for all fans of Superman, as well as meticulously-rendered animation...