Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

Movie review by Will Wade, Common Sense Media
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 12+

Fun musical adventure includes some innuendo and a death.

NR 2008 43 minutes
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 8 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 15 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog is fun and quirky, but includes some sexual innuendo and a suprising death. The short movie reverses the standard "hero" model, by focusing on Dr. Horrible, an evil villain bent on world domination who is hoping to win admission to the Evil League of Evil. Though his plans include stealing rare materials for his secret weapon, and attempting to kill his nemesis, the valiant Captain Hammer, inside Dr. Horrible is also a sweet, shy romantic, who has fallen in love with Penny, a girl he met at the laundromat. Captain Hammer, conversely, is a vain egomaniac who uses his hero status to get women into bed. There's some cartoonish violence and mild swearing ("ass"), as well as references to sex and one character's penis.

Community Reviews

TheMom503
TheMom503 Adult
December 25, 2020
age 15+

We love NPH...but

First, we LOVE NPH. He's such a fabulous actor, and hilarious. He is innocent and sweet hearted while trying so hard to be "evil" ... its what makes this movie so great! However, I gage movies for my kids based on whether I'd be comfortable watching them around my own dad. This one has some pretty off color sexual humor that as an adult is funny, but not with your dad. And I wouldn't want my daughters hearing it.... not my 9 year old for sure, and I didn't let my older one til she was 15. Even she was embarrassed by the "good pounding" and "give her my hammer" jokes.

This title has:

Too much sex
Leftcoastmama
Leftcoastmama Adult
February 22, 2014
age 16+

Something is wrong with Common Sense here!!

Editor's Pick? For 10 year olds??? No way! There's a long violent death scene -- and the sexual messages are quite clear, not "innuendo" at all. Example: a song about "hammering" one's date and then an explanation of exactly what that means. Yikes! I can see older teens thinking this is hilarious, but an Editor's Pick for elementary age children? Clearly CSM has been punked some some tech-savvy Joss Wheden fans. Beware.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
See all 8 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In DR. HORRIBLE'S SING-ALONG BLOG, Dr. Horrible (Neil Patrick Harris) is an evil villain straight from central casting – mad-scientist laugh: check. Plans for world domination: check. Outlandish weaponry, distinctive costume, and a super-powered nemesis: check, check, and check. And now he's planning one of his biggest heists ever, hoping to impress his fellow bad guys and earn a spot in the Evil League of Evil. Yet he also shows a distinctly non-villainous side, a shy, awkward young man too nervous to ask out Penny, the cute girl he meets at the laundromat. Unfortunately, when Penny (Felicia Day) finds herself in peril, it's Dr. Horrible's arch-enemy, the valiant Captain Hammer (Nathan Fillion), who saves the day and wins a date with the girl. Can the evil Dr. Horrible find a way to win her over from a true hero?

Is It Any Good?

This clever film plays with convention, by making a villain into the star of the show. Yes, he's cooking up a dastardly scheme, and we even see him pulling off a heist. But his evil deeds pale in comparison to the smarmy Captain Hammer. The hero is the real villain here, a smug, conceited cad who uses his hero-status to charm the ladies. While Dr. Horrible really loves Penny, Captain Hammer just wants to get her into bed, and it's up to the bad-guy to prove that he can sing about being her hero.

Yes, sing. Because not only is this a brilliant send-up of the standard superhero format, it's also a musical. Sure, it might sound like a strange idea, but then, so does the whole concept. On paper, it may be hard to see how all of this comes together. But on the screen, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog fits together perfectly. It's a great idea, executed perfectly, and wildly entertaining.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the standard hero storyline. Is Dr. Horrible a hero or a villain? How does he differ from traditional heroes? Does Captain Hammer seem like a hero? Is there more to being a hero than fighting crime? How does Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog tweak convention?

  • Do you think it's OK to make a criminal into the good guy? Who do you like more, Dr. Horrible or Captain Hammer?

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