Unlike team-ups where they fight side-by-side without friction, here they actively clash. Batman carries a kryptonite ring (secretly). Superman disapproves. Batman lies to Superman about a plot point to force his hand. They argue, separate, and reconcile. It’s not a buddy-cop movie; it’s a reluctant alliance between two men who love each other but trust their own methods more. What Doesn’t Work 1. Overstuffed & Underdeveloped The film tries to adapt six comic issues into 67 minutes. The result is a highlight reel, not a narrative. Characters like Power Girl, Hawkman, and Captain Atom appear, fight, and vanish without meaningful arcs. Major plot points (the kryptonite asteroid, the villainous “Metalek”) are introduced and resolved so quickly they lack weight. If you haven’t read the comic, you may feel lost during the second act’s rapid-fire cameos.
You want 67 minutes of non-stop DC superhero combat, love the World’s Finest dynamic, or miss the DCAU voice cast. Skip it if: You prefer slower, character-driven stories or are unfamiliar with the comic’s many cameos. Superman Batman Public Enemies -2009- -tmdbid-2...
Lex Luthor is the mastermind, but he’s sidelined until the finale. In his place, we get a parade of physical threats: Metallo (disposable), Amazo (too powerful, defeated too easily), and a secret Doomsday cameo that feels like fan service. The best villains are those who challenge the heroes ideologically, but Public Enemies favors punching over debating. Batman lies to Superman about a plot point to force his hand
Its sequel-adjacent film, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010), which continues the story with a stronger focus on Supergirl. What Doesn’t Work 1
Mysterious Skin
We Disappear