Public Enemies -2009- -tmdbid-2...: Superman Batman

Its sequel-adjacent film, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010), which continues the story with a stronger focus on Supergirl.

True to its comic book roots, Public Enemies rarely pauses for breath. The film throws the duo into a gauntlet of fights: vs. Metallo, vs. Captain Atom, vs. a swarm of B- and C-list villains (Lady Shiva, Nightshade, Mongul). The animation by Sam Liu and the team at Warner Bros. Animation is fluid and dynamic, capturing Ed McGuinness’s exaggerated, bulky character designs. The final battle against a giant, kryptonite-infused Amazo is a visual highlight. Superman Batman Public Enemies -2009- -tmdbid-2...

While the action is smooth, the character models suffer from “budget-era DC direct-to-video” stiffness. Faces are flat, backgrounds are minimal, and the digital ink often looks smudged. Compared to later DC films ( Batman: Under the Red Hood , Justice League: Doom ), this one shows its age. Also, the asteroid’s CGI stands out awkwardly against the 2D characters. Metallo, vs

Unlike team-ups where they fight side-by-side without friction, here they actively clash. Batman carries a kryptonite ring (secretly). Superman disapproves. Batman lies to Superman about a plot point to force his hand. They argue, separate, and reconcile. It’s not a buddy-cop movie; it’s a reluctant alliance between two men who love each other but trust their own methods more. What Doesn’t Work 1. Overstuffed & Underdeveloped The film tries to adapt six comic issues into 67 minutes. The result is a highlight reel, not a narrative. Characters like Power Girl, Hawkman, and Captain Atom appear, fight, and vanish without meaningful arcs. Major plot points (the kryptonite asteroid, the villainous “Metalek”) are introduced and resolved so quickly they lack weight. If you haven’t read the comic, you may feel lost during the second act’s rapid-fire cameos. The animation by Sam Liu and the team at Warner Bros