Search - Marvel Animation: 6 Film Set on DVD

Good Deal, Good Gift Set

Simon | Brampton, ON | 10/18/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This box set collects the first 6 animated films from the 'Marvel Animated Features' collection: Ultimate Avengers - The Movie, Ultimate Avengers 2 (Rise of the Panther), The Invincible Iron Man, Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme, The Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow, and Hulk Vs.. Note that these are exactly the same discs you would get if you bought the movies individually, right down to the shrink-wrapped packaging. The Hulk Vs disc is the single disc edition and not the 2-disc set which had a few more bonus features.

As with all other similar collected box sets, the value you get ultimately depends on how many of these films you already own. If you're a die-hard Marvel fan, you probably bought most of these as they came out. But if you only own a few (say 1 or 2), this is a nice way to snag all the current releases in one go. Or as a gift to someone who hasn't checked these out yet.

In all, Marvel's got a good slate here. Those interested in Iron Man and the Hulk will be glad to know they pop up quite frequently throughout the 6 films, while the Avengers get some decent exposure in anticipation of their forthcoming movie and a film for the lesser-known Doctor Strange is a pleasant surprise. The quality of the films ranges from good to excellent - the early entries run into the usual story, acting, and animation issues associated with direct-to-video releases, but Marvel seems to learn with every entry and the newest one (Hulk Vs) is particularly excellent. The films are PG to PG-13 and a little more adult than usual Saturday morning fare.

A good gift set for the uninitiated. Looking forward to the next animated releases."

A few of the films are sub-par but the others even them out

Alexander M. Walker | Chicago, IL USA | 10/24/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Marvel and DC are both in the middle of a new movie strategy where they release animated films of some of their most popular characters direct to DVD. The two rivals have arguably been doing it for ages if you count the spin-off "movies" from their animated television series, but the last 4 years have seen a leap in activity. Have any of them topped Batman: Mask of the Phantasm? No, not really. However, each of the studios seems to be making huge strides with each successive movie. Marvel, having reached its 6 film marker (DC isn't far behind at this point), have released them all in a box set. While it's nice to have an anthology to put on the shelf instead of individual DVD cases, it ends up serving as a reminder of how far the films have come since the original Ultimate Avengers: The Movie back in 2006.

Ultimate Avengers: The Movie (2006)

Directed by Curt Geda & Steven E. Gordon and written by Boyd Kirkland & Craig Kyle and Greg Johnson

Avengers Assemble! Or so the story goes. Forces from beyond the reach of space leave Captain America frozen in a glacier back in the age of World War II. Now, a new threat has emerged and the patriotic hero is needed again to lead a new team - The Avengers. For being the first in the set, it's easy to understand why Marvel saw such promise in the concept of a new generation of direct-to-DVD movies. The animation is reminiscent of classic 90s animation but with that more angular Asian bend that has become increasingly common. It's very much an entertaining and watchable feature.

DVD Bonus Features: A featurette covers the history of the heroes included in the legendary team while another looks at the search for the perfect voice actors to play roles fans have incredibly high expectations for. There's a preview for Ultimate Avengers II, an in-movie trivia track function and a DVD-Rom game that feels way too much like a Facebook application "Which Avenger Are You?"



Ultimate Avengers 2 (2006)

Directed by Will Meugniot & Dick Sebast and written by Boyd Kirkland & Craig Kyle and Greg Johnson

The alien horde seen in the original Ultimate Avengers return to pillage the isolated kingdom of Wakanda where Prince T'Challa rules after the death of his father. Fearing for the safety of his subjects, T'Challa seeks the help of the Avengers under the guise of the Black Panther.

DVD Bonus Features: Another interesting featurette gives background into the history and mythos of the Avengers team - like on the first Ultimate Avengers movie it's a worthwhile viewing experience. A gag reel, a few previews for future Marvel animated films and that same DVD-Rom game round out the set.





Doctor Strange (2007)

Directed by Jay Oliva & Frank Paur and written by Greg Johnson

One of the more obscure second-tier Marvel stars has his story told and, even if you're not all that familiar with the tale of Dr. Stephen Strange, the movie makes for some compelling entertainment. The hands of the caring doctor are mangled an in his angst he seeks out a mystic who could potentially return them to their original state - but what he discovers is much more valuable. The Ancient One teaches Strange of a fantastic mysticism that will allow him to battle a great evil on the verge of crossing into our world.

DVD Bonus Features: Perhaps one of my favorite extras to ever appear on a DVD, "The Best of Marvel Video Game Cinematics" highlights cutscenes from some of the more popular Marvel video games in the last few years - really a fun feature. Otherwise there's the set-default of a featurette on Dr. Strange, a preview for a future Marvel animated film and concept art for the movie.





The Invincible Iron Man (2007)

Directed by Patrick Archibald & Jay Oliva and written by Craig Kyle & Greg Johnson and Avi Arad

Jon Favreau's Iron Man may be the story your average person on the street can relate about Tony Stark, but way back when the central villain was a mystical Chinese force named the Mandarin (something only hinted at in Favreau's version). As the Mandarin awakens four elemental beasts reanimate and give Tony Stark and his new suit of armor a run for his money - all while he fights for a position within his own company. Iron Man may actually be the biggest misstep of the Marvel Animation canon since the 3D animation used is quite distracting at times. The writing isn't really up to par either, but the fact that you notice at all has a lot to do with the animation taking you out of the moment.

DVD Bonus Features: Again we have an Iron Man history featurette as well as an alternate opening sequence (interesting, but doesn't really alter your perception of the movie), a "hall of fame" of sorts for Iron Man's many different armor incarnations, concept art for the film and a preview for another upcoming Marvel animated film.





Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow (2007)

Directed by Jay Oliva and written by Christopher Yost

Don't ask why this was seen as a suitable follow-up for the remarkably good Avengers installments that preceded it - but it was. As if to appeal to a younger fan-base, Next Avengers asks the "what if the Avengers had kids?" question. Sure, it's been covered in the comic books before, but when presented as a cartoon in animation that feels notably cuter than the past installments the entire concept just falls to pieces. As it is, the story revolves around a world where the original avengers have all been killed off after their progeny were hidden away under the protective care of an aged Tony Stark in Wakanda. The killer of those Avengers? Ultron. So, the children learn of their heritage and take off to destroy the machine that stole their parents from them.

DVD Bonus Features: Once again we have a "making of" featurette explaining the concepts and drive behind making an Avengers movie examining the legacy past its prime. In defense of the movie, there is an extra feature which examines the purpose of a child-based Avengers - to rope in a new generation for the Marvel canon to entertain. Finally, there's the customary previews for more animated Marvel films.





Hulk Vs. (2008)

Directed by Sam Liu & Frank Paur and written by Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost

This may be the crowning achievement of the set. The writing is spot on for both halves "Wolverine" and "Thor" and each cast of characters perfectly fits their comic book incarnations. While Thor defending Asgard from the Hulk is one of those "epic fights" considering the two are the subject of constant fanboy quarrels over who's the strongest, the Wolverine and Hulk battle may be the most entertaining in terms of story. It's important to note, that if you're expecting a solid movie-length feature of the trio just bashing on each other - you'll be sorely disappointed. The Wolverine installment runs a mere 37 minutes long while Thor makes it all the way to 45 minutes - disappointing much? What redeems the package is the hilarious nature of Wolvie's chapter, courtesy of Deadpool. It's the snarky Deadpool we all wanted to see in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. It may only be 37 minutes long, but it should really be called the "Argument for a Deadpool Animated Movie". Definitely watch the first half, and then if you just need to see people get smashed over and over, watch Thor's part.

DVD Bonus Features: Hey look! It's the first in the set to offer audio commentaries! Both Wolverine and Thor have commentaries by writers Craig Kyle and Chris Yost. There's a trailer for the (awesome) new television series Wolverine and the X-Men and the upcoming Thor animated film Thor: Tales of Asgard.

The animation, most of them hand-drawn save for Iron Man's blunders, improves from film to film and is absolutely slick by the time you arrive at Hulk Vs. The voice acting however, never fails to be top-notch...except again in Iron Man, but like with the writing, I'm convinced you only notice it because you need to focus on the voices to distract from the bad animation. Voice actors include Nolan North, Fred Tatasciore, Kari Wahlgren, Tom Kane, Bryce Johnson, Steve Blum, Grey Delisle, Graham McTavish, Matt Wolf, Noah Crawford, Aidan Drummond, Marc Worden, Gwendolyn Yeo, Justin Gross, Michael Massee, Olivia D'Abo and Susan Spano. It's quite a nice set for the Marvel fan and I can't help but wonder if DC is going to follow suit? Fingers crossed."