Superman/Batman: Public Enemies is the cinematic equivalent of a “greatest hits” album—exciting in bursts, but lacking the depth of a full studio record. It succeeds as a fast-paced action romp and a showcase for the unmatched Conroy-Daly chemistry. It fails as a coherent adaptation of a beloved comic, sacrificing character moments for fight scenes.
Batman: “The world’s greatest heroes, and they’re all hunting you.” Superman: “Not all of them.” (Batman smirks) Final Thought: Public Enemies isn’t essential viewing, but it’s a blast for fans who want to see the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight punch their way through an entire rogue’s gallery—with a healthy dose of political cynicism on the side.
TMDB ID: 2 Director: Sam Liu Based on: Superman/Batman #1-6 by Jeph Loeb & Ed McGuinness The Premise A massive kryptonite asteroid is hurtling toward Earth. In a controversial move, President Lex Luthor (the former supervillain) announces a bounty on Superman, blaming the Man of Steel for the impending disaster. With every mercenary, hero, and rogue in the DC universe hunting him, Superman must turn to the one person he trusts implicitly: Batman. Together, the World’s Finest must survive a nation turned against them, uncover Luthor’s true scheme, and save a world that wants them dead. What Works 1. The Chemistry of the World’s Finest The heart of this film is the brotherhood (and friction) between Superman and Batman. Kevin Conroy (Batman) and Tim Daly (Superman) reprise their iconic Superman: The Animated Series roles, and their vocal interplay is pitch-perfect. Batman is paranoid, tactical, and cynical; Superman is hopeful, powerful, and principled. Their banter—from Batman’s deadpan “I’m not the one who brought a target to a team-up” to Superman’s weary sighs—feels lived-in and authentic. Superman Batman Public Enemies -2009- -tmdbid-2...
Lex Luthor is the mastermind, but he’s sidelined until the finale. In his place, we get a parade of physical threats: Metallo (disposable), Amazo (too powerful, defeated too easily), and a secret Doomsday cameo that feels like fan service. The best villains are those who challenge the heroes ideologically, but Public Enemies favors punching over debating.
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. Batman: “The world’s greatest heroes, and they’re all
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.
Beneath the superhero slugfests lies a clever commentary on fear-mongering, media manipulation, and public panic. Lex Luthor as a populist president (voiced with oily charm by Clancy Brown) feels more relevant now than in 2009. His use of a “metahuman threat” to consolidate power and turn allies into enemies mirrors real-world demagoguery. The subplot of Major Force murdering a hero to frame Superman adds genuine tension. With every mercenary, hero, and rogue in the
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.
