Superman: Contra a Elite

Written by Joe Kelly & based on his story published as "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice and the American Way?", IMO...this is the BEST of the original DC animated Superman-movies that they made so far. The story is very nicely crafted with a good script that shows what can be done with Superman to keep him relevant in today's world. It finely explores the most human & moral issues of our favorite Man of Steel & put him into a fascinating challenge against a pretty interesting & kinda unusual super villain & his gang. Though I haven't read the comics but the earlier All Star Superman movie pretty much disappointed me after hearing lots of great stuffs about the original comic but here I think they succeed mostly in terms of portraying Superman the way he's supposed to be. There's no General Zod or Lex Luthor nor it was about a particular rivalry or an origin story but still it beautifully delivered what any good super-fan wants to see in a movie. Though I'm not a fan of Japanese Anime sort of artwork for any American superhero animated-movie treatment but it didn't bother me much this time, cause the voice actors did a great job & mainly the story & script was surprisingly too good for a DC animated film.

I absolutely loved it. Highly recommended.

An extremely well done Superman story that touches on the major moral aspects of a superhero as powerful as Superman.

I should start out by saying I was NOT looking forward to this movie based on the previews I had seen, and after watching the movie I was VERY impressed with how it turned out. Does a great job of talking about the grey area of Superman's moral code of not killing anyone and if that is the right way to go in today's world.

Batman and Superman both don't kill, and as a result their villains ALWAYS escape and cause more harm, so why NOT end the monsters right there and save everyone for good? That's the central theme, and it presents it in an intelligent way with plenty of interesting and unique action. The animation is pretty good, and I actually ended up preferring this Superman visual style than the other Animated-Series style Superman.

The action was all great, felt like they made really good use of Superman's powers and strength... which sometimes they forget to do.

The story really kept me interested and I didn't really know how it was going to all end, and was surprised at how into it I was at the end and really wanted to see how it all turned out.

I would put this up right next to the Batman/Superman animated movie.

8.5 out of 10.

This movie raises an interesting dilemma. How should criminals be dealt with? Especially those who pose a major threat to the safety of the public over and over again. Superman and the superhuman group known as The Elite butt heads over this predicament. Superman is obviously the good guy, but it's understandable why people have problems with how easy he is on villains. People die because his solutions can be, and often are, temporary. The Elite prefer to eliminate the villains completely preventing any further threat from them. But they go way overboard and enjoy their work way too much and end up becoming a problem themselves. Is there a balance somewhere between Superman's way and The Elite's way of dealing with the monsters of humanity and beyond? The action sequences in this movie are decent. The Elite are interesting with their abilities which are a bit out there. The central plot is really the social and moral dilemma mentioned above. It makes you ask yourself some tough questions. That alone makes this an interesting movie to watch.

Superman vs. The Elite is certainly not a bad movie. I just found myself underwhelmed considering how great the premise was. I did think the character designs were flatly drawn and even goofy especially in the hands and facial expressions, Superman is no exception to this. The story is such a great idea but could have been explored even more, there are some compelling moments but overall the development feels too bland and black and white to me, especially in the villains excepting Manchester Black who's pretty interesting. I also had a big issue with Lois, she comes across as very stereotypical and bitchy, and her voice actress constantly sounds as though she has phlegm in her throat. The quality of the writing was mixed for me as well, there are some sharp and thought-provoking moments but also some that come across as stilted. There are however a number of redeeming qualities. The backgrounds and colours are fluid and atmospheric, and the music is hauntingly beautiful. The action sequences are well-choreographed and exciting, the Atomic Skull ones were especially brilliant. Superman is a charismatic character, and the voice acting is great. George Newbern is equal with Tim Daly which is high praise indeed. All in all, entertaining with some fine moments but some of the character designs, Lois and the rather black and white feel of the story and some of the characters gave Superman vs. The Elite a left wanting feel at the same time. 6/10 Bethany Cox

I recently revisited Superman vs The Elite (2012) on MAX. The storyline revolves around Superman in a society where some believe he is too lenient on villains, prompting a new wave of superheroes who advocate harsher consequences, even death. As these newcomers push the boundaries of punishment, Superman faces the risk of becoming obsolete. Can he prove to the world that due process is essential?

Directed by Michael Chang (17 Episodes of Batman: The Brave and the Bold), the film features the voices of George Newbern (Adventures in Babysitting), Pauley Perrette (NCIS), Dee Bradley Baker (American Dad), and Robin Atkin Downes (The Conjuring 2).

While not my favorite DC animation style, this film is still a solid and enjoyable addition to the DC animated universe. The villains are compelling characters, ruthless and unpredictable. The depiction of Superman and Lois is well-executed, with entertaining interactions between them. The action scenes shine, showcasing excellent use of the villains' superpowers. The final showdown is well-crafted, making the unfolding narrative a fun experience.

In conclusion, Superman vs The Elite is another worthwhile contribution to the DC animated universe, featuring a solid premise and great villains. I'd give it a 7/10 and recommend watching it at least once.