Film Review: Dr Horrible's Sing Along Blog
Online Production hosted on Hulu.com : www.drhorrible.com
Production Company: Mutant Enemy Productions
Director: Joss Whedon
Writer: Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, Zack Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen
Principal Actors: Neil Patrick Harris, Felicia Day, Nathan Fillion, Simon Helberg
Running Time: 43 Minutes
Released: July 15^th - 20^th 2008

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey (Ontario Correspondent - Canada)

First of all, this is not an objective review, in fact it is a very subjective one as my dirty little secret will finally be revealed...I'm a recovering Buffy fan and yes, I'm in some sort of anonymous group about it, and yes I have been (like thousands and thousands of other Buffy fans) having unhealthy withdrawal symptoms since the shows finale on May 20^th, 2003.  

I remember reading in a University course on cultural studies an article with the heading ‘Buffy Kicks Ally's Ass.' Previous to this article, I watched Ally McBeal like the rest of women my age, Buffy was for Sci-Fi geeks and young kids obsessed with horror right? Wrong. Very wrong. And so I learned about the inner workings of Joss Whedon's perspective on the world, as the creator of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Firefly, and now Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. Easily the most witty and well thought out show in the history of television, I would highly recommend kicking the annual February blues with a full seven season viewing of Buffy, as is my own odd practice; but, it has been a long five-year dry-spell for Buffy fans who don't read comics.

Whedon was next spotted championing writer's rights during the WGA strike recently and then, seemingly out of nowhere Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog brings the humour, the wit, the dorky-fun that is signature Whedon back to the forefront. More importantly Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog is intended to be a statement wrapped in comedy; which is the most easily digestible statement to make. With the growing power of the internet, and such original ideas as Ricky Gervais' podcast shows Whedon decided to sidestep the studios and produce his own film that resides somewhere between the length of an hour-long TV drama (minus commercials), paired with the snappy tunes his "Once More With Feeling" musical achievement on Buffy fashioned. 

Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog is a three act production, each approximately 13-15 minutes long and could be seen for free for a week on hulu.com. Now the show can be seen for $1.99 on iTunes, which is both reasonable, and helping to support the arts in a new and creative way. Dr. Horrible (aka. Billy), played by Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser, How I Met Your Mother) is a wannabe villain who has recently submitted his application for the "Evil League Of Evil" the ultimate villain association spear-headed by Bad Horse. Even though he has clocked enough hours to be a part of the "Henchman's Union" as his best friend "Moist" (Simon Helberg) reminds him, is simply not enough for Dr. Horrible.

Aside from wanting world domination, he mostly wants to conquer his fear of speaking to the girl at the Laundromat called Penny, played by Felicia Day (Vi, one of the "potentials" in Buffy). Penny is a do-gooder who is trying to get enough signatures for a petition to have a building that will be destroyed by the city turned into a homeless shelter. In a plan gone wrong, Penny bumps into Billy while he is in the middle of stealing wonderflonium (phlebotinum anyone?) - the final ingredient to complete his Freeze Ray. Penny is distracting and Billy is torn between speaking to the girl of his dreams and being evil; both go "horribly" wrong as Captain Hammer (Nathan Fillion, as Buffy would say "he needs to call me!"), "corporate tool" as Dr. Horrible calls him, enters onto the scene, saves the day and starts to date the girl.....Billy's girl....Dr. Horrible's girl! 

Dr. Horrible talks to his video blog and we are privy to his inner turmoil (not much really!), his plans for evilness (sure it's a word!), and his thoughts. Within this plot a musical is formed and in all honesty, Joss Whedon manages to make beautiful, melodious, almost conversational songs with intelligent lyrics and memorable scores. If you loved the originality in the "Once More With Feeling" episode, then you will also love the humour infused in Captain Hammer's "Everyone's A Hero In Their Own Way" (reminding me of Anya & Xander's "I'll Never Tell"), Penny's sweet infused song "Even In The Darkness" (Tara and Willow's "Under Your Spell") and Dr. Horrible's brilliant Spike-like rock-opera track "Brand New Day" ("Rest In Peace").

Typical Whedon banter is scattered throughout the production (something my everyday language has been commandeered by!), with awkward boy/girl interactions and my new favourite phrase "what a crazy random happenstance."     

It was great to see Buffy alumni Marti Noxon, David Fury, Drew Goddard, Doug Petrie, Felicia Day and Nathan Fillion (Buffy, Firefly) in Dr. Horrible, but what this production proved was that Joss Whedon was infinitely not a one-hit wonder (or seven season wonder really), showcasing that he has lots more to give his eagerly awaiting audiences and can find his own venues to do so. Neil Patrick Harris was brilliantly funny, charming, has a delightful singing voice, and he gets major props for using his celebrity for good...instead of evil. Felicia Day was charming and Willow-esque in a nostalgic way. Fillion, as Captain Hammer is great as he seems to make "self-assured" supermen seem enticing whether they are working for the forces of good or "The First" evil. Seriously though, it was commendable of the whole cast and crew's part for doing something constructive and informed, out of the WGA strike.  

Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog has received an overwhelming response of support from Whedon fans and the production will be available on iTunes and eventually DVD. Of course more will come, as the word is out that WB is interested in the concept and Dark Horse will pick it up for a comic's version. Of course, the best part of this whole production was seeing the Mutant Enemy Productions emblem at the end, and the lame monster saying "grrr arrrg."