ALARIS' REVIEWS

10th October 2010
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (2008)

There’s good Joss (Buffy, 1997; Serenity, 2005) and there’s bad Joss (Angel, 1999; Dollhouse, 2009). Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog is definitely good Joss.

Joss Whedon – writer/director/cult leader – has had his ups (Buffy) and downs (Dollhouse), and seems to deliver his best work when he has creative freedom. Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog is a collaboration between Joss and what is best described as a combination of family and friends. The result is a freely available, straight to internet production, with no network meddling, and it’s pure Joss.

Neil Patrick Harris is Dr. Horrible, a small time villain who aspires to join the Evil League of Evil, but continues to be thwarted by his hammy nemesis, Captain Hammer (Nathan Fillion). Between evil plotting, Dr. Horrible goes about his daily life as Billy, quietly smitten by homeless shelter advocate, Penny (Felicia Day).

Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog has everything I like about Joss productions. Pathetic yet endearing protagonists, offbeat humour, quirky worlds, and people breaking into song.

I haven’t watched many made for internet productions, and I was surprised at the excellent production values. The writing is sharp and funny, the directing skilful, the acting and singing are right on the money, and even the sets and stock are as good as anything you’d see on TV. Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog is only 3 episodes of about 15 minutes each, but it’s a solidly plotted, self contained arc.

The songs are catchy and emotive, and Harris is unexpectedly good as Dr. Horrible. Unexpectedly only because I last watched him on Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989) and ads for How I Met Your Mother (2005). His comic timing is perfect, and he makes Billy a villain you really feel for.

Day is great as sweet, idealistic Penny, and her voice is lovely, particularly in her title song. I’ve never liked a character played by Fillion, but he always does a good job with smarmy.

The story is very Joss, take that how you will, but the journey is enjoyable.

Verdict: A great little genre series. Funny, poignant, very entertaining, and hopefully a sign of things to come.

If you like Buffy (1997), you’ll probably like Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.