Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-Long Blog

So, if you've been living under a rock for the past month, this past week had the debut of a three part webcast by Joss Whedon and family, Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-Long Blog.

The ~42 minute webcast was released in fairly equal parts over a five day period with a day between each episode's release. They are apparently free on www.drhorrible.com through Sunday. However, after this time, they will have to be purchased on iTunes for $1.99 a peice or $3.99 for the set. In the future there are plans to release a DVD with the full webcast along with tons of special features, but no dates or details have been released as of this time.

Dr. Horrible is basically a superhero musical from the viewpoint of Dr. Horrible(Neil Patrick Harris), a 2nd tier villian who tries to make gadgets to defeat his nemesis Captain Hammer(Nathan Fillion). However, Dr. Horrible is sidetracked by his pursuit of getting up the nerve to talk to the gorgeous girl he always runs into at the laundromat.

His devices seem to be improving and he applies to join a league of supervillians. He is told that he must kill someone to show he is ready to join the group. Meanwhile, a plan to steal a secret ingredient for one of his gadgets goes wrong and he puts his love, Penny(Felecia Day) in jeopardy. He does his best to save her, but it ends up being Captain Hammer's clumsy and over-the-top methods that see her safe and start a relationship between the two.

**SPOILER** Scroll over for spoiler text:
Dr. Horrible eventually succeeds in getting his freeze ray to work and freezing Captain Hammer. He then pulls out his death ray to kill him off. However, at the last minute, the freeze ray malfunctions and Captain Hammer is free. He takes the death ray from Dr. Horrible and tries to use it on him. However, it backfires, injuring the previously impervious Captain Hammer who flees in pain. However, the true shocker is that two shards from the ray have imbedded themselves in the innocent bystander Penny who quickly dies in Dr. Horrible's arms. He is upset, but not enough to keep him from taking his new position in the league of supervillans.
** END SPOILER**

So, overall, this was very well shot and pretty well written with many musical numbers that were probably a little better written and performed than those in the Buffy musical if not more inteterest with no back story to build on. The performances were all pretty decent by the main three, but none really stood out. My favorite character had to be Moist, Dr. Horrible's henchman, played by Big Bang Theory's Simon Helberg.

I don't think that it was as great as many fans have made it out to be, but it was fun and I am glad that I watched it. It now has me really looking forward to The Dollhouse in 2009 and the cabin in the woods movie upcoming.

It also turned me on to an even funnier webcast that Felicia Day is in called The Guild(review very soon).

Overall, I think that this is a must for all Joss fans and most fans of Buffy athe Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Serenity/Firefly. Also, anyone who enjoys youtube videos should at least give it a gander.


{Currently Listening to Vogue - Madonna, All That She Wants - Ace of Base, Bad Company - Bad Company, Love her Madlly - The Doors, Over the Rainbow - Celtic Woman, Elton John - Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters}