Superman Batman: Public Enemies (PG-13)

common sense media says

Framed superheroes fight back -- and fight some more.


parents & educators say
  • 67% say language is an issue
  • 33% say violence is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this animated action story pits Superman and his pal Batman against almost every other supervillain and hero. Superman is framed for a murder he didn’t commit, but the authorities are determined to bring him in, and the task falls to many of the heroes who once fought alongside him. And when the government places a $1 billion bounty on the caped crusader, every villain in town tries to collect. The film starts with some intriguing questions about right and wrong, but the latter half is near nonstop super-battles, with plenty of destruction.

Positive messages: Several characters are forced to make a choice between following their orders and doing the right thing. When Superman is framed for a murder he didn’t commit, other heroes are conflicted over whether they should try to arrest him, or believe his story.
Positive role models: It’s hard to get more noble and heroic than Superman and Batman; in one crucial scene, Batman even seems willing to sacrifice himself to save the planet.
Violence: Lots of super-fighting, mostly hand-to-hand battles but there are a few energy blasts, explosions, etc. Though there are no injuries or blood, the amount of time spent on combat sequences -- and the obvious hostility between the participants -- make this film a bit more intense than other animated superhero stories.
Sex: No sex, nudity, or even flirting. One female character has ridiculously exaggerated breasts, even by comic-book standards; another character comments on her figure.
Language: Right at the beginning a newscaster says "f--ked in the a-- with a red-hot poker," with bad words bleeped out but recognizable.
Consumerism: The film promotes the DC Comics comic book franchise and features several well-known characters from its pages.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Superman Batman: Public Enemies

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about following orders. Should superheroes always obey the president’s instructions, even whey they are told to arrest Superman? What do you think of Power Girl’s decision to question these orders?

  • What kind of crises would prompt people to elect well-known super-villain Lex Luthor President of the United States? How does his rise to political power parallel other elections throughout history? Can you think of other movies that feature evil people who are elected to high office?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Capitalizing on economic and social upheaval, supervillain Lex Luthor rides a wave of populist anger into the White House. President Luthor’s first job: frame Superman for murder and order his arrest. But the caped crusader won’t be taken easily, and his pal Batman has his back. Every hero in town tries to enforce the arrest warrant, and when Luthor announces a $1 billion reward for Superman’s capture, the supervillains are eager to jump into the fray. Can Superman and Batman fend off all these attacks and prove the charges are false? And in the meantime, who’s going to stop the massive kryptonite asteroid that’s on a collision course with Earth?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES starts off with a bit more depth than the average superhero yarn. When Superman protests his innocence, other heroes are forced to takes sides. Should they obey their orders, from the president no less, or should they defy the commander-in-chief and help the caped crusader? And this isn’t the only thorny dilemma: twice, superheroes must take on extremely dangerous tasks, possibly sacrificing themselves, to save others. These are tough moral questions, but the film doesn’t delve too deeply into them.

Instead, it focuses on the action when Superman and Batman are attacked by dozens of superheroes and supervillains. The second half of the movie is near-nonstop combat, and some of it is pretty intense. The fight scenes aren’t bad, but they aren’t anything that hasn’t been seen before either. Still, it’s interesting that an animated film aimed at younger viewers would even try to introduce such weighty issues.

Movie themes & details

Themes
Movie Details
Studio: Warner Home Video
Director: Sam Liu
Cast: Clancy Brown, Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 75 minutes
DVD release: September 29, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: action violence throughout and a crude comment

This review was written by Will Wade
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 67% say language is an issue
  • 33% say violence is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

star97
teen, 14 years old
 
It should have been PG
Oh, come on. You think this is really PG-13 accurate? I mean, can you really imagine 7th and 8th graders watching it and saying "oh this really can only be watched by us." I'm just saying, my 8-year-old brother could totally have been watching this.

Sgt-Samson
teen, 16 years old
 
A very good and first Superman/Batman crossover movie

Chrihddjason
kid, 12 years old
 
Not for kids
They uses the word of “b--w”, “s--k”, “d-nky doo” and “a--es to ashes” and “p-ss” or “ass” becuz this show cannot be for teens under 18 or 19. And it's rated PG or PG13

 
Not appropriate for any age if foul language is not allowed in your household
"Language is not an issue" -- are you kidding me???? In the first 10 minutes the film used "f*cked in the a*s with a red hot poker" and "what the hell are 'good' villians?" How could you have possibly led me to believe that language is not an issue in this movie?!?! Your reviewer should be fired.

 
Not the Best DC Universe has To Offer
This movie was very forgettable, considering I can't remember much of it. Though Power Girl (the one who is mentioned above) is one character who frequently gets on my nerves because of her breasts being so...well you know. The movie itself was action packed but it wasn't anything you'd remember. I'd pass on it if I had to watch it again.

uhya
teen, 13 years old
 
DC is making so many PG-13 cartoon movies. I recommend Batman:Gotham Knight.

ohya
parent of 14 year old
 
ok

skulduggery3
kid, 13 years old
 
Loved it. Very good movie not as violent as the other DC movies. I have to say there was some language especially Luthor calling Amanda Waller a "bitc#." Toyman was about to say Power Girl had big boobs in one part but Batman intrerrupted him. Toyman used x-ray googles on Power Girl, but it was more funny then suggestive.

ZWolf
kid, 12 years old
 
a nice movie review.
a good movie for your thrill seekers parents

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