6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
The feature-length documentary explores the thin line between right and wrong, the nature of evil and how super-villains can reflect society's dark side as well as our own personal fears. It also attempts to uncover the reasons why comic book fans are so fascinated by the very characters they hope to see defeated. The film focuses on DC Comics' most terrifying villains, including The Joker, Lex Luthor, Bane, Black Adam, Black Manta, Catwoman, Darkseid, Deathstroke, Doomsday, General Zod, Sinestro, the Suicide Squad, and others.
Starring: Jim Lee, Clancy Brown, Kevin Conroy, Guillermo del Toro, Zack SnyderComic book | 100% |
Documentary | 2% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (192 kbps)
English SDH, French, German SDH, Italian SDH, Portuguese, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Korean, Norwegian, Russian, Swedish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics earns its name, tackling the biggest, baddest Big Bads of the DC Universe and demonstrating just how crucial the super-powered madmen, assassins, anarchists, opportunists and power-hungry tyrants are to the likes of Superman, Batman and the heroes of the JLA. It doesn't quite live up to its promise, though, offering an introductory survey to comicbook villainy rather than an in-depth, fleshed out dissection of the delusions, impulses and psychological damage that makes each nemesis and arch enemy tick. Key villains steal precious screentime from lesser known criminals and creatures, and the hundreds upon hundreds of more obscure nasties of the DCU are lucky if they're given a split-second appearance, much less mentioned by name. The result is a much too short, much too broad, but oh so gorgeous Survey of DC Villains 101 course newcomers and casual fans will find more revealing and insightful than longtime comic readers or those familiar with the towering titans of Metropolis, Gotham and beyond.
If nothing else, Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics delivers an at-times stunning glimpse into the dark heart of villainy. Backed by a heroic 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation, the documentary is brimming with striking splash-page images of each beast and baddie, most of which feature subtle animation, perspective shifts and movement. Colors are brave and bold, primaries pack super-powered punch, black levels are rich and inky, and detail is superb. Interview segments boast lifelike skintones and a nicely saturated palette as well, although some rather noticeable crush does creep into the starkly lit studio courtesy of some rather unforgiving shadows. Thankfully, significant artifacting, banding and errant noise are held at bay, ringing isn't apparent, and aliasing is kept to a bare minimum. (A few instances sneak through, but are presumably inherent to some of the trickier motion-comic animation.) All told, I'm not sure Necessary Evil could look any better. Pause at any given moment and feast your eyes on a work of comicbook art some fans would kill to have hanging on their walls.
Warner's Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo mix actually offers something of a decent documentary experience, despite the fact that the rear speakers and LFE channel aren't in use. Christopher Lee's narration is clear, weighty and nicely grounded in the mix, and the various interviewees' voices are clean, intelligible and neatly centered at all times. Methodic Doubt's music is restrained almost to the point of being swept beneath the proverbial rug, but it adds some ambient flavor without becoming overbearing. It's ultimately a very flat mix, of course, but, at least here, it's not enough of a reason to shrug off a purchase.
Note: The back cover incorrectly lists the documentary's audio mix as a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless track.
The Blu-ray release of Necessary Evil doesn't include any special features.
Pound for pound, punch for punch, Necessary Evil doesn't leave a lasting mark. Too short, too brisk and stretched much too thin, it's more akin to an introductory survey of the terrible titans of the DC Universe than a revealing, fully realized, thought-provoking documentary. It covers a lot of ground, sure, but it doesn't stop long enough to spend a significant amount of time exploring any of it. Warner's Blu-ray release is at least remarkable in one regard, thanks to its gorgeous video presentation. Its lossy Dolby Digital stereo mix leaves something to be desired, though, and there isn't any bonus content to speak of, leaving the 99-minute documentary (which ironically plays like a glorified special feature) to single-handedly justify its cost. If you're hungry for all things DC, take the plunge. If you're a more casual fan, watch for this one to go on sale this holiday season and pick it up when the price is right.
DC Universe Animated Original Movie #24
2015
2019
2020
2006
2017
2021
DCU
2017-2018
2023
2023
2021
1978
with LEGO Mini Ultimate Batmobile Figure
2019
2016
2015
2013
2018
2018
2019
2020
2020