Movie Reveiw: Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

       

What's better than Neil Patrick Harris? When he sings. Which is (partially) why I love Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Created by Joss Whedon and starring Harris alongside Nathan Fillion and Felicia Day, this is less of a movie and more of a miniseries in three acts, but they run together. The whole thing is only 42 minutes but is labeled as a TV season on iTunes, where it was #1 for five weeks in a row. What makes it even more ironic is that is only appeared on the internet; it was created specifically as a web series and didn't air on TV. It's available on Netflix. And did I mention, it's a musical? That's right, everyone break into song for no apparent reason!

The story is about Billy, an aspiring super villain (alter ego: Dr. Horrible) trying to join the Evil League of Evil, while also trying to win over his laundry buddy Penny and fighting his nemesis Captain Hammer. He narrates the story through his video blog at the beginning of each act. Billy inadvertently introduces Penny to Captain Hammer, who recognizes his nemesis. (Penny doesn't know that Billy is actually evil.) And of course, Captain Hammer and Penny start dating, which leads Dr. horrible to create a scheme to get rid of him and steal Penny back. Video blog posts, montages, and evilness ensue. 

 Like anything Joss Whedon makes, Dr. Horrible is hilarious and sad at the same time. He is notorious for killing off main characters. Consider yourself warned. The character development is amazing; by the end Dr. Horrible gets what he wants, but you have to ask yourself if Billy really does. Captain Hammer and Penny are both deeply changed by the end as well. In fact, the ending is rather painful and abrupt, but that's Whedon for you. He was actually slated to write Dr. Horrible 2, but he was pulled into directing The Avengers, and the project was dropped. 

Despite how sad it is, the ending is actually my favorite part. All the action has built up, and now you get to see how Dr. Horrible's plan turns out, what will happen to Captain Hammer, and who will win over Penny's love. When all's said and done, I felt closer to Billy at the very end. The very last scene/song is so haunting. It ends so abruptly, almost mid-song, and you can clearly see how Billy feels about what he's done. I especially love the line "So you think justice has a voice, and we all have a choice" from the last song, because, in the end, Billy didn't get a choice. 

Although it's a sad ending, it is a very good ending. I highly recommend seeing this short film. I honestly love everything about it. It is a pile of happy contradictions. It is whimsical and serious; painful and hilarious; musical, but not corny. Even the characters contradict tradition: it is from the 'villain's' point of view, and the 'hero' is made out to be the bad guy. So go watch Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, because yes, there will be sadness, but there will also be joy, laughter, singing, and a lot of fun.