Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (2008)

"I'm gonna give Penny the night of her life, just because you want her. And I get what you want...She's with Captain Hammer and these [holds up fists] are not the hammer. The hammer is my penis."
           - Captain Hammer 

Poor Dr. Horrible. All he wants is to rule the world. Not merely for the sake of being in charge mind you. He thinks he can do a better job. Poor Dr. Horrible. And you will sympathize for him. When he’s not working on his freeze ray he’s pining after Penny, the girl of his dreams, and avoiding beat downs from his arch-nemesis Captain Hammer (who is dickish enough to make us hate him too).

The backstory of this three act mini movie is really just as interesting as the movie itself. Created during the 2008 WGA strike, writer/director Joss Whedon set out to create a short, yet professional, film that wouldn’t cross any strike regulations. The result is a great little musical about a D list villain named Dr. Horrible trying to earn respect and his way into the Evil League of Evil. Reportedly the film was made of a very limited budget with none of the actors (Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillion, and Felicia Day) paid at the time. It’s a great project and source of hope for any aspiring filmmaker out there who ever complained of a lack of budget. The same could be said for life in general I suppose. We shouldn’t place our happiness externally (“I’d be happy if I just had that car/job/girl/etc”).

Whatever larger messages one takes from Dr. Horrible and his sing-along blog it’s a great little work. Like any good musical the songs are catchy and will stay with you long after you’ve finished watching. Watch Dr. Horrible. Sing along. Laugh. Rule the world.