Dr. Horrible Preview: Whedon Rocks the Blog
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- Premiere: July 15, 2007
- Length: 35 minutes
- Budget: Low six figures
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, Joss Whedon’s web series, is a bold experiment in online distribution — the series will be available for free for just one week before becoming available on DVD and possibly download — but it’s also damn entertaining. The tale of an aspiring supervillain told mostly in song, this WGA strike-spurred project treads an odd line between the professional and the amateur, making full use of Whedon’s considerable resources while still carrying a whiff of we-don’t-need-no-stinking-permits filmmaking. The end result is kinetic and inspired, while still bearing the trademark wit and pathos of a Whedon project.
The first “act,” premiering Tuesday, July 15, revolves around Dr. Horrible’s (Doogie Howser and How I Met Your Mother’s Neil Patrick Harris) efforts to acquire the missing ingredient for his Freeze Ray, while struggling to make a connection with dream girl Penny (Internet favorite Felicia Day) and dodging thuggish superhero Captain Hammer (Firefly’s Nathan Fillion). It’s also this installment that makes the most use of the titular “blog,” introducing Dr. Horrible as a somewhat timid mad scientist who’s working on his evil laugh with a vocal coach, and takes time out of his vlogging to respond to fan (and nemesis) correspondence.
If I had to pinpoint one element of Dr. Horrible that falls a little flat, it would be these vlog portions, which, while beautifully played by Harris, are a little bit slow-paced in comparison to the rest of the series. But over the course of the narrative, Dr. Horrible drifts away from direct address, instead using another method for revealing the inner thoughts of its characters: song.
Despite its new media trappings, Dr. Horrible is a musical in the most traditional sense, with an onslaught of numbers that are all equal to the songs of Whedon’s last all-singing effort, the sixth-season Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode, Once More With Feeling. Catchy and clever, each tune gets its chance to pop: It’s a Brand New Day stands out, as does On the Rise (titles approximated due to lack of track list).
It’s impossible to compare Dr. Horrible to other independent web productions, because while it emulates the style of low-budget amateur, it’s doing so with professional resources: When a project is shooting on studio backlots and has VFX house Zoic Studios (Firefly, Battlestar Galactica) creating its effects, it’s hard to embrace it as guerrilla. But at its core, Dr. Horrible is a story of transformation, beginning with a hero who isn’t quite yet heroic, and a villain who hasn’t yet achieved true villainy. Perhaps there’s a metaphor there in the constantly evolving state of online video: A place that’s fun to play, but eventually demands real commitment.
There’s plenty here for the legions of Whedonverse fans to love. Nathan Fillion is as heroic and self-effacing as ever, totally unafraid to venture into self-parodying territory, and there are cameos from former Buffy producers David Fury and Marti Noxon (who had bit parts in Whedon’s first all-singing effort), as well as frequent Whedon collaborator Drew Goddard as Fake Thomas Jefferson. But, and this is definitely to Whedon’s credit, Dr. Horrible stands on its own as an engaging and hilarious bit of story, no matter how you watch it.
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Comments
b!X, July 11, 2008 at 10:04 AM
You forgot about the part where they asked that the select few lucky enough to go to this not reveal plot details.
Liz Shannon Miller, July 11, 2008 at 10:09 AM
There’s a whole lot I left out of this review, and I made no reference to anything he specifically mentioned he didn’t want mentioned. Which is as vague as I can be without ending my vagueness.
Crystal, July 11, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Awesome review-this makes me even more excited to see this next week! And I disagree with b!x in that I don’t think you revealed overly much about the plot. For the most part, it can be surmised through the trailer, the descriptions Whedon has given, and the online Dark Horse/Myspace comic written by Zack Whedon.
Extremely well thought out. Thanks so much for writing it!
J. Earley, July 11, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Joss should invest a few million dollars of his own money to do a “Doctor Horrible” animated musical film for major release in theatres. I think it could be his chance to really cash in on this concept and make a mint. I view this as the Incredibles go musical, in a way…but since it is mainly about the villain…this film is in many ways what the Wanted comic book is to Watchmen, the other side of the story, from the bad guy’s perspective.
The potential is there for this to be a smash as an animated film. Why not go for it??? All you will need is 80 to 90 minutes of footage…and to be cost effective, if need be…book end the film so it starts as live action…and then moves into animation for the main part of the story, and ends in live action just the way it started–a reverse play, or inverted play, on Disney’s film Enchanted. Using the already filmed live action footage of Doctor Horrible. or even new live acton footage, shot on the cheap, ala its prototype, this could really be something big!!! I mean, at a time of huge and expensively over budgeted animated films, whoever heard of doing a low budget cost effective animated film…at least these days??? Go for it Joss, believe me, it will work!!! Have faith…oh, that’s right(???)…you created Faith…5 x 5!!! See Joss, we should be working together, I have a million of these ideas!!!
J. Earley, July 11, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Joss should invest a few million dollars of his own money to do a “Doctor Horrible” animated musical film for major release in theatres. I think it could be his chance to really cash in on this concept and make a mint. I view this as the Incredibles go musical, in a way…but since it is mainly about the villain…this film is in many ways what the Wanted comic book is to Watchmen, the other side of the story, from the bad guy’s perspective.
The potential is there for this to be a smash as an animated film. Why not go for it??? All you will need is 80 to 90 minutes of footage…and to be cost effective, if need be…book end the film so it starts as live action…and then moves into animation for the main part of the story, and ends in live action just the way it started–a reverse play, or inverted play, on Disney’s film Enchanted. Using the already filmed live action footage of Doctor Horrible. or even new live acton footage, shot on the cheap, ala its prototype, this could really be something big!!! I mean, at a time of huge and expensively over budgeted animated films, whoever heard of doing a low budget cost effective animated film…at least these days??? Go for it Joss, believe me, it will work!!! Have faith…oh, that’s right(???)…you created Faith…5 x 5!!! See Joss, we should be working together, I have a million of these ideas!!!
J. Earley
Doctor Horrible, July 11, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Aha, Mr. Earley; so we meet again! This Joss stalking of yours grows tiresome. That goody Whedon may not like to get his hands dirty dealing with the rabble; but be assured, my Horrible henchmen will find you. It’s no use donning your aluminum brain shield. We’ve got you on our monitors now. You’ll soon be back in your guest quarters, with the nice soft walls.
Tim Street, July 11, 2008 at 5:39 PM
I love Felicia Day and Joss Whedon.
With all the buzz of the 3G iPhone today I wish I could go wait in line somewhere to watch the premier of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog .
Hey Felicia, can I pitch a tent outside your apartment?
J. Earley, July 11, 2008 at 6:09 PM
Hello Dr. Horrible!!! You may kiddingly criticize me, and I give you credit for you creativity, as it is amusing, but you have to admit…I have a good plan. Let me breakdown the particulars for you:
Joss has said that he budgeted his blog movie at a price in the low 6 figures…enough to generate not only enough footage for the 3 part blog, but a DVD release. My plan is simple, all Joss need film, is 20 minutes of live action footage for a full feature theatrical version of the musical…and just 60 to 70 minutes worth of animation to complete the project in whole. The latter of which can be produced for several million dollars…which Joss can easily finance himself, for a combined running time of 80 to 90 minutes. A perfect running time for family audiences and smart minded studio execs.
Joss has already shown his cost effectness by using library stock footage for aerial clips in the production…and filming live action bookend wrap-arounds for a theatrical adaptation of said film, or using the footage which has already been shot for the Sing-Along Blog, is also an option.
Distribution through a independent film studio or via Joss’ new home at MGM could prove a major success. My plan is solid, the budget low…thus it seems like the perfect situation to expand this property’s great potential on. This is a “Gem” of an idea, an animated super hero/comedy/musical with romance(???)…sounds like a hit to me…and stalkers don’t propose good ideas–well thought-out muses do.
Signed J. Earley
Dr. Horrible Goes Live, and More on Joss Whedon’s Evil Plans « NewTeeVee, July 14, 2008 at 9:40 PM
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Toy Soldier SubZ, July 16, 2008 at 9:19 PM
Toy Soldier SubZ reporting and this.. this sickens me. To degrade and attempt to destroy the good doctors image like this. How dare you attempt to harm the good doctors name. Doctor Steel is a good man, and he deserves much much more respect than this horrid “Dr. Horrible” theft.
http://www.doctorsteel.com
The true site, the original, the genius, the man who deserves the respect. The music is irritating, the script are poorly written
As a loyal member of Dr. Steel’s Army of Toy Soldiers, I will see to it personally that Dr. Horrible is destroyed. http://www.toysoldiersunite.com
Toy_Soldier2217, July 17, 2008 at 3:25 AM
This is a complete rip-off of Dr. Steel. http://www.doctorsteel.com
Even the name is stolen from Dr. Steel’s first compilation album “Dr. Steel’s Read-A-Long” album.
This isn’t funny and the music is even less inspired. If you want to see something good, check out the real deal.
As a loyal member of Dr. Steel’s Army of Toy Soldiers, I will see to it personally that Dr. Horrible is destroyed. http://www.toysoldiersunite.com
I am horrified by joss whedon………a sever lack of imagination.
Toy Soldier #2348759-B, July 17, 2008 at 3:29 AM
It’s too bad that it is a total mockery of the real Doctor,
Doctor Steel of http://www.doctorsteel.com and toysoldiersunite.com
Which has, in fact, been around for ages before now.
Us Toy Soldiers will not be silenced! It is purely a travesty that has befallen both the good names of Joss and Dr. Steel.
Baron von Jazz, July 17, 2008 at 3:52 AM
This is a complete rip-off of Dr. Steel. http://www.doctorsteel.com
Even the name is stolen from Dr. Steel’s first compilation album “Dr. Steel’s Read-A-Long” album.
This isn’t funny and the music is even less inspired. If you want to see something good, check out the real deal.
http://youtube.com/results?search_query=dr.+steel&search_type=&aq=-1&oq
http://www.toysoldiersunite.com/
http://worlddominationtoys.com/drsteel/about/vid1.htm
As a loyal member of Dr. Steel’s Army of Toy Soldiers, I will see to it personally that Dr. Horrible is destroyed. http://www.toysoldiersunite.com
Rich Johnston, July 18, 2008 at 7:12 AM
Dr Dreadful’s YouTube Riposte to Doctor Horrible – and job application.
Joss Whedon’s Wacky Web Experiment Kicks Off - GigaOM, July 18, 2008 at 11:33 AM
[...] is almost guaranteed to be a hit, especially by Internet standards. (And we loved it, too — see our review.) But in deciding to release his musical extravaganza online, he got as creative about the business [...]
NextNewNetworks Blog » Blog Archive » We’re Watching: Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, July 19, 2008 at 10:32 AM
[...] won’t review the musical here — that’s already been done well by USA Today, NPR, NewTeeVee, Time, Salon, and hundreds of fans over at Whedonesque — but I’ll just say that as a [...]
un6, July 21, 2008 at 5:31 AM
Yaaaaaay
kcdrew, July 21, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Isn’t it all just the perfect metaphor for this President? Think about it: a likeable, not very bright guy with big plans and some ambition who gets what he wants, but it all goes wrong in the end. It’s “W” all over. I just wish our situation weren’t reality.
Phillip J Rhoades, July 21, 2008 at 1:09 PM
Dr Horrible is spawning more than just the many video reviews, it’s even spawning “in world” fan videos! I’ve been collecting both at http://www.wonderflonium.com
Barbara, July 22, 2008 at 10:04 AM
This was a wonderful surprise to me. I knew NPH could sing, but Nathan Fillion and Felicia Day definitely held their own. It was funny and sad and clever, and I really hope they release a soundtrack. And I’d definitely like a ringtone of Brand New Day. Hope they make a ton of money.
Dr. Horrible Online Again for Free « NewTeeVee, July 29, 2008 at 7:06 AM
[...] at Hulu. This is a bit of a surprise as Horrible was only supposed to be available for free online for a few days before vanishing and re-emerging as a paid download or DVD. At least this time around, the audience [...]
Goldie Blogs You Better! | Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog - Neil Patrick Harris!, July 30, 2008 at 10:06 AM
[...] I was hanging out at Comic-con this past weekend. Nothing like Neil Patrick Harris as an emo “Doctor Horrible” who fights with Captain Hammer – played by Nathan [...]
emoboy, October 21, 2008 at 5:23 PM
hi, My pics of my new emo hair style
at http://tinyurl.com/59ps64
Dr. Horrible DVD: Yes, It’s Worth Your Money « NewTeeVee, December 10, 2008 at 8:30 AM
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John Carpenter, April 9, 2009 at 7:34 PM
I just realized the casting for this is all wrong. Sure, Nathan Fillon was perfect, but instead of Day and Harris they could have cast other characters from Firefly – Kaylee and the medical doctor. It would have fit so well! I wonder if either of them could sing, though.
Does anybody else think that the captions are wrong in the song “So They Say”? I swear Penny was not singing “I guess he’s pretty okay”, but “I guess he screwed me okay”.