Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog

I'm putting this here rather than in the Youtube video thread because firstly it's not just a funny clip I found on Youtube but an actual feature that just so happened to start off and make its name as an internet sensation through a site called Hulu apparently.

Since Joss Whedon apparently paid out of his own pocket to make it and very few people know of it, I advise you all watch Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. Three acts, two parts to each act. It's also available on DVD in America, but unfortunately not here in the UK, because I'd gladly pay for this.

As Wikipedia puts it, "It tells the story of Dr. Horrible, an aspiring supervillain; Captain Hammer, his nemesis; and Penny, their mutual love interest. The movie was written by writer/director Joss Whedon, his brothers Zack Whedon (a television writer) and Jed Whedon (a composer), and actress Maurissa Tancharoen. The writing team penned the musical during the WGA writers' strike. The idea was to create something small and inexpensive, yet professionally done, in a way that would circumvent the issues that were being protested during the strike."

So it's a musical about a twist on the stereotypical supervillain which starts off with him detailing his plans on his video blog but moves into showing his plans and his general life that's fantastically well-written and presented, and ever since I watched it before going to work last night I've been unable to get over my awe for it. Enjoy, and discuss it here.

My love for this should be readily apparent to everyone who knows me even a little. My love for Joss Whedon knows no bounds.

Also, the DVD may not be available at international Amazon outlets, but it is region free so can be ordered from .com and still ship and be playable everywhere. And it is well-worth getting for all the extras, especially Commentary: The Musical.

Greatest.

Musical.

Ever.

Jodd showed it to me last time I was with him. I really want to get the DVD.

I CANNOT EXPRESS MY LOVE FOR DR. HORRIBLE IN WORDS.

Originally Posted by Flannery

I CANNOT EXPRESS MY LOVE FOR DR. HORRIBLE IN WORDS.

Then you must express it in interpretive dance!

June of 2007 called. It wants its thread back.

That said, Dr. Horrible is a thing of beauty.

When someone tells you to watch a musical about superheroes called Captain Hammer (the hammer is his penis) and Dr. Horrible (he has a PHD in horribleness), you hit them for being a moron.

Then you watch it and hit yourself for being a moron.

It just so happens that I've had On The Rise in my head all today, so it's funny that this thread popped up as well.

Originally Posted by Sam

It just so happens that I've had "My Eyes" in my head all today, so it's funny that this thread popped up as well.

Fixed.

It's my favourite song from the musical. Oh, I also own a physical copy of the soundtrack.

Did I mention how much I love this series?

Also, check out The Guild video "Do You Wanna Date My Avatar?", as Jed Whedon wrote the music and directed it (with Maurissa Tancharoen on back-up vocals as well), and stars Felicia Day (Penny).

My friend linked me to that a couple of days ago. The Guild isn't bad, but nowhere near as good as Dr. Horrible. :3

If The Guild didn't exist, Dr. Horrible wouldn't either. Joss got the idea for doing web-original content from it. RESPECT.

I just can't get over how he spends the entire thing setting up a comedic scenario and then towards the end it becomes immensely dramatic. That last song is probably my favourite.

Penny's last line is heart wrenching, though.

Yes, yes it is. Because you know she's just as deluded as everyone else, whereas Dr. Horrible is the only guy who sees how much of a douche Captain Hammer is.

It's just so fantastic by that part in the sense that before then, he's just a silly gimmicky supervillain like you might see in the 60s Batman series, who won't really kill anyone because he just wants to commit crimes for the sake of committing crimes and getting into the elite club. After defeating Captain Hammer and losing the only thing he really cared about, he no longer has any real inhibitions, and he becomes a serious and successful supervillain because there are no longer things he's unwilling to do to achieve his goals. Nothing is holding him back anymore.

Only discovered The Guild today and I was surprised that I actually found it funny. Yeah, it's not as good as Dr. Horrible, but then it's not made by Whedon so you have to lower your expectations accordingly

I find it hard to choose a favourite song, so many of them are so fantastic, whether comically or musically. Everyone's a Hero is probably my least favourite though, if that helps at all, and personally I didn't like that last song all that much. Bad Horse will also hold a place in my heart.

I find it amazing that Joss manages to pack all this goodness into so short a time. Considering the nature of the project, though, he did have 100% creative control, which demonstrates how having a TV Network breathing down your neck is detrimental. He just had a great idea and he made it, which I think is nice in itself. You know most of the staff weren't even paid at the time? Joss just had good relationships with the cast.

Favourite songs? My Eyes and Brand New Day. Easy.

Oh, and the Wonderflonium Heist one. Not sure if it's actually called that but that's what I found it under. A Man's Gotta Do, thanks Sam.

Either "Brand New Day" or the very last song.

http://i387.photobucket.com/albums/o...upanova043.jpg

My friend at Supanova earlier this year. Hint: He's not Harvey Birdman. At the time I didn't get it but if I'd known then what I do now I would have given him MAD PROPS.

MAD PROPS.

EDIT: Better photo.

A Man's Gotta Do? Yeah, can't disagree with you there; genuine lol moments going on there. My Freeze Ray is also a favourite, but I think My Eyes (still listed as On The Rise in my list, but I guess that's what you get for torrents... as with Zero, I would pay for it in a second given half the chance) would have to take the prize.

Originally Posted by Sam

I find it amazing that Joss manages to pack all this goodness into so short a time. Considering the nature of the project, though, he did have 100% creative control, which demonstrates how having a TV Network breathing down your neck is detrimental. He just had a great idea and he made it, which I think is nice in itself. You know most of the staff weren't even paid at the time? Joss just had good relationships with the cast.

Keeping in mind that Jed, Zack and Maurissa were all major contributors as well. I believe it was Zack that came up with the infamous "the hammer is my..." line, for example. Three Whedons together had to come together to create the awesome the project contains, along with the brilliant talent involved in other areas of production.

Oh, and the sequel is beginning to shape up, apparently. At least there is a title (or working title). No idea when it is going to get made, but all parties are on board, and it is definitely going to be coming at some point, barring any disasters.

I hope it's not a direct sequel and more "something else in the same universe", though. I think as it is this stands alone and taking the story of Dr. Horrible any further might ruin the effect of it.

Exactly what I was going to say. And also you're a bastard for taking a Dr. Horrible avatar; mine is in need of a change and I wouldn't want to look like I was, like, copying you or something. I demand that you change it back.

I mean, there are only so many characters, Bad Horse is already taken, and I refuse to be the Captain Hammer Fanboy.