Superman: Unbound

• Directed by James Tucker
• May 7, 2013
• Based on the 2008 comic book story arc Superman: Brainiac by Geoff Johns

Voice Cast

• Kal-El/Clark Kent/Superman-Matt Bomer
• Lois Lane-Stana Katic
• Brainiac-John Noble
• Kara Zor-El/Supergirl-Molly Quinn
• Steve Lombard-Diedrich Bader
• Jimmy Olsen-Alexander Gould
• Martha Kent-Frances Conroy
• Zor-El-Stephen Root
• Terrorist Leader-Jason Beghe
• Alura-Sirena Irwin
• Perry White-Wade Williams
• Thara Ak-Var-Melissa Disney
• Ron Troupe-Michael-Leon Wooley
• Parasoldier Leader-Will Yun Lee
• Kryptonian #1-Ian James Corlett
• News Anchor #2, Superman’s Ship-Andrea Romano

Superman and his cousin Supergirl take on the world destroying intelligence Brainiac who has set his eyes on Earth.

Superhero movies these days are often quippy and jokey. Fine when done right. Those quips and the jokes should never undermine the action but highlight things or simply work with the story. Right away Superman: Unbound does that right. It uses it to highlight the action as well as the stupidity of the characters involved. Like Lois’ comments to the thieves/her kidnappers in the opening sequence.

I like this movie’s general approach to storytelling. There is very little fluff in any section. Only enough extra to make the world feel a little deeper but not so much that it stops the central narrative. Director James Tucker and writer Bob Goodman do excellent on developing the well tread ground of the Lois/Clark-Lois/Superman dynamic. It may not be a fresh take but does not come across stale.

One would think the heart of the story would revolve mostly around Kara/Supergirl than anything involving Superman solo. Kara not only witnessed the taking of Kandor by Brainiac but also (eventually) has the potential to be reunited with her parents who went after Brainiac only to be captured and placed as specimens in the shrunken city.

Her story does have a happy resolution yet is woefully underdeveloped. There are moments here and there that touch on her pain and fear, but Superman is most definitely the star of the story. Basically there is a tease of the possibility of getting some of her old life back with at least her loved ones. That was either not included in the script or cut from the script. Kara remembers what it was like when Brainiac attacked and her avoidance of Metropolis knowing Brainiac is coming is an example is her not wanting to see it all over again but the part with the parents just is like not done.

Much is made in the dialogue of Clark not remembering his home planet leaving you with the sense there is something missing. Part of the story finds him trapped in the bottled city where he finally gets a look at Kryptonian culture and is excited for some real Kryptonian

Kara does have a scene in Smallville on the Kent Farm with Ma Kent which sets up the emotional situation for the Girl of Steel. Ma Kent is the ever wise mother that knows she’s not going to be there for too long. The Kent’s as always are the parents we would all like to be and wonderfully homespun individuals. 

The action is excellent and the story just keeps moving. Perhaps by expanding upon the Kara part things would slowed up a bit, but I think it was a necessary addition. The movie is still entertaining, but I left not feeling the character’s story was given justice.

Older DC animated were able to set up a lot in a short amount of time without feeling like anything was shortchanged. We are introduced to Supergirl, Superman and his relationship (along with its problems), and a good explanation of the threat of Brainiac within a much shorter amount of time than some live action movies are capable of doing. And it does this without ever skimping on action which is at the core of superhero movies.

As voiced by John Noble, Brainiac is an epic villain. Terrifying, maniacal, and cold with a sinister edge that looks down on everything and everyone. Maybe he even enjoys what he does. I know his ship is pretty much the go-to design but what a great spaceship for a villain to have. Absolutely incredible. It’s completely impractical but just screams super evil.

Superman is generally muscle, but he doesn’t provide the muscle here. In an inversion of the north Supergirl provides much more muscle with Superman using an intellectual solution. He does as he says he use his muscles when necessary, but that’s not how he beats Brainiac. Brainiac is more machine than flash and Supes overloads him with sensory information he is unprepared to handle having been isolated inside of his ship for much if not all of his existence.

Why was office creep Steve Lombard in this movie? I know he’s a very much a part of the comic book world but if this were a special episode of a TV series, his presence would be acceptable but here not so much. I’m not saying we shouldn’t have jerk characters, but what does he add?

Despite some flaws, Superman: Unbound is a good animated superhero movie. You may be lamenting the underserving of the Supergirl and her parents storyline but you’ll enjoy the movie despite that.