[Please see link below for full review]

DR. HORRIBLE’S SING-ALONG BLOG succeeds on every level it appears to tackle. It works artistically, comically, dramatically, musically and as proof that a production made straight for the Internet can succeed in a big way…

…The project is publicly thought of as being the work of Joss Whedon, which is fair, as he not only directed but paid for it, though it is co-written with Zack Whedon and Jed Whedon (brothers of Joss) and Maurissa Tancharoen. There are a multitude of levels here, though to discuss them in much depth would be to start spreading spoilers. It can perhaps be said that the themes deal with how people’s personas evolve (vague, I know, but the best I can do). Dialogue is snappy and often laugh-out-loud, though some lines are wrenching in context, while the lyrics flow organically, often in impressive and informative counterpoint…

…The cast is smashing. Harris, who has a song-and-dance past on stage in addition to his now-Emmy-nominated role on HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER and that previous DOOGIE HOWSER fame (not to mention the show-stopping appearances in the HAROLD AND KUMAR comedies), has a gorgeous voice and a marvelously expressive face as the embodiment of every painfully smart guy with a plan, a case of nerves and a sense of incredulity at how well the good-looking self-confident doofuses do in the world. Fillion as said doofus is fearlessly silly and funny as a man of steel with a brain of wheat, while Day (who has her own Web series, THE GUILD) is effortlessly sweet and empathetic as the good-hearted Penny. Fans of Whedon’s previous work will note lots of erstwhile collaborators behind the scenes in the credits (with some old writing colleagues showing up in on-camera cameos).

This is independent production at its finest. DR. HORRIBLE’S SING-ALONG BLOG is, contrary to its title, really pretty wonderful.

• External Link: www.ifmagazine.com