If you haven't yet seen Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, it's time you should. If you're not familiar with this film, it is a musical created and produced in 2008, during the Writers Guild of America's strike in 2007-2008. It is a three-part mini-series created for online release, written by Joss Whedon, his brothers Jed and Zack, and Maurissa Tancharoen, Jed's wife. The music and lyrics were provided by Joss and Jed.
Dr. Horrible won several awards, including a Creative Arts Emmy. That should tell you that it's worth watching, right? Allow me to convince you more to include it in your list of films to watch.
#1 The actors are great
Tip: Watch out for Dr. Horrible’s evil laugh, which he has to hire a vocal coach for to perfect. It’s adorable and decidedly un-evil.
#2 The plot is dynamic and engaging
Dr. Horrible is villain wannabe who in reality is an insecure yet sweet guy whose main reason for wanting to take over the world is to make it better for everyone. As Billy, he is awkward and bumbling, especially in front of his crush Penny and when committing "crimes" to get accepted into the Evil League of Evil (the ultimate goal of every aspiring villain out there). The story starts off as light-hearted, giving you the impression that it will end well for everyone. But no. Towards (and especially in) the end, things get darker and sadder (for our anti-hero at least), and it is heartbreaking because things could have gone differently and definitely better for him. And even if still gets one of the two things he wants the most, he still paints a tragic figure in the end.
#3 The songs are catchy
Did I mention that it's a musical?Because it is...
The songs mirror the anti-hero’s descent into evil and darkness. The songs narrate his story way better than mere spoken words can. They are poetic, actually. And I bet you’d also find a copy of the lyrics so you can sing along when you play the film again (and again and again).
#4 The lines are witty and awesome
The characters have pretty impressive lines, if I say so myself. Dr. Horrible, the man jaded by the evils of this world; Penny, the woman who remained innocent until the end; and Captain Hammer, the arrogant and cocky "hero"—their lines cleverly reflect their characters and personalities.
Also, the writers throw clues here and there about the leader of the evilest league there is. They are clever like that. Another friendly tip about Bad Horse: catch the clues right from the start and piece them together before you get to the end of the film so you won’t be surprised. If you won’t be able to get the clues, it’s okay. You’d still get a laugh out of the final reveal, anyway.
Helpful clues (aka spoilers) because I can’t help it—I love Bad Horse. The most telling clue is the name (Bad Horse, duh). Also, he rules the league with iron hoof, he’ll make someone his mare as a punishment, and when he votes “no” he votes “neigh.” Hah! Clever script writers, clever.
#5 Right in the feels, bro
The film is more comedy at the start and more tragedy at the end. It will give you a lot of feels, and you will cry. You'd have to have a heart of stone if you don't.
Because of its success, fans had been clamoring for a Dr. Horrible part two. Joss Whedon originally announced that a sequel was in the works and shooting would start in spring of 2013. But because of his other commitments (directing Avengers sequels, etc.), shooting was postponed to maybe 2015 or later.
Personally? I’m contented with the original and won’t mind if there won’t be any more Dr. Horrible mini-series or feature films. But if they produce a sequel or two, I’d still watch it.
Dr. Horrible won several awards, including a Creative Arts Emmy. That should tell you that it's worth watching, right? Allow me to convince you more to include it in your list of films to watch.
#1 The actors are great
You have Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillion, Felicia
Day, and Simon Helberg acting on it so it's guaranteed to be great, right?
Right. NPH plays amazingly well the part of the adorably awkward Billy and whose alternate
persona is the titular Dr. Horrible; Nathan Fillion plays the
narcissistic hero (Captain Hammer) that you can't help but dislike; Felicia Day makes a
convincing and adorable Penny, the innocent and starry-eyed love interest of
both Dr. Horrible and Captain Hammer; and Simon Helberg plays the somewhat
not-so-confident Moist, Dr. Horrible’s “moist buddy.”
Tip: Watch out for Dr. Horrible’s evil laugh, which he has to hire a vocal coach for to perfect. It’s adorable and decidedly un-evil.
#2 The plot is dynamic and engaging
Dr. Horrible is villain wannabe who in reality is an insecure yet sweet guy whose main reason for wanting to take over the world is to make it better for everyone. As Billy, he is awkward and bumbling, especially in front of his crush Penny and when committing "crimes" to get accepted into the Evil League of Evil (the ultimate goal of every aspiring villain out there). The story starts off as light-hearted, giving you the impression that it will end well for everyone. But no. Towards (and especially in) the end, things get darker and sadder (for our anti-hero at least), and it is heartbreaking because things could have gone differently and definitely better for him. And even if still gets one of the two things he wants the most, he still paints a tragic figure in the end.
#3 The songs are catchy
Did I mention that it's a musical?Because it is...
The songs mirror the anti-hero’s descent into evil and darkness. The songs narrate his story way better than mere spoken words can. They are poetic, actually. And I bet you’d also find a copy of the lyrics so you can sing along when you play the film again (and again and again).
#4 The lines are witty and awesome
The characters have pretty impressive lines, if I say so myself. Dr. Horrible, the man jaded by the evils of this world; Penny, the woman who remained innocent until the end; and Captain Hammer, the arrogant and cocky "hero"—their lines cleverly reflect their characters and personalities.
Also, the writers throw clues here and there about the leader of the evilest league there is. They are clever like that. Another friendly tip about Bad Horse: catch the clues right from the start and piece them together before you get to the end of the film so you won’t be surprised. If you won’t be able to get the clues, it’s okay. You’d still get a laugh out of the final reveal, anyway.
Helpful clues (aka spoilers) because I can’t help it—I love Bad Horse. The most telling clue is the name (Bad Horse, duh). Also, he rules the league with iron hoof, he’ll make someone his mare as a punishment, and when he votes “no” he votes “neigh.” Hah! Clever script writers, clever.
#5 Right in the feels, bro
The film is more comedy at the start and more tragedy at the end. It will give you a lot of feels, and you will cry. You'd have to have a heart of stone if you don't.
Because of its success, fans had been clamoring for a Dr. Horrible part two. Joss Whedon originally announced that a sequel was in the works and shooting would start in spring of 2013. But because of his other commitments (directing Avengers sequels, etc.), shooting was postponed to maybe 2015 or later.
Personally? I’m contented with the original and won’t mind if there won’t be any more Dr. Horrible mini-series or feature films. But if they produce a sequel or two, I’d still watch it.
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