I agree.  It was perfect, even the ending.

I love the Whedon rollercoaster.  You're there sailing up high, enjoying the scenery then it's a freefall into chaos.  A lot like getting mugged during a Sunday afternoon stroll.  Sure, you know it could happen, you just aren't ready for it.

I wasn't much of a fan of NPH until this.  His very responsive face just drew me in.  He was a perfect Dr. Horrible.  I was more of a fan of Nathan Fillion, and after watching him as Dr. Hammer I kind of want to kick him in the balls.

I can't wait for the DVD. 

Yup.  I also think the ending was perfect.  A great origin story for a super villain, or a great set up for a personal redemption…  whatever.  In any case, I knew there wouldn't be a “happy ending”. 

Instead we got the “best ending”.  Loved it.

What I think is so genius about the ending:

When you watch the average film, no matter what, you know it's going to be okay. When you watch a Whedon film, you actually fear for their lives.

For the average film, someone gets injured and you're wondering how much more pummelling they'll take before they win. For Whedon's, some gets injured and you're wondering if they're going to survive.

You have a greater emotional risk when connecting to Whedon's characters. You can share the character's fears and, thereby, hopes. That's what's so genius about this.

Those who don't share such sentiments for the characters will get hit “sideways” (as Mr. Whedon [the Joss one] likes to say). Yet, is anything better than a story that really pulls you into it without you risking your own life and limb?

Everything you ever said:

orenax said:

Yup.  I also think the ending was perfect.  A great origin story for a super villain, or a great set up for a personal redemption…  whatever.  In any case, I knew there wouldn't be a “happy ending”. 

Instead we got the “best ending”.  Loved it.

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Yes, I agree it's an excellent ending.

However I've noticed that many posters consider the ending primarily as a tragedy.

In my opinion this view is incomplete - the ending is also a triumph (albeit a hollow one)… which is why it is so powerful.

Actually, I think the fact it's a hollow victory is the very thing which makes the ending so tragic.  It's like that Bible verse about gaining the world but losing your soul–Dr. Horrible acheives his ambition, but without Penny he cannot enjoy it.

The more I think about it, the more I not only like the ending, but feel it to be the best possible one dramatically.

diva said:

Everything you ever said:

orenax said:

Yup.  I also think the ending was perfect.  A great origin story for a super villain, or a great set up for a personal redemption…  whatever.  In any case, I knew there wouldn’t be a “happy ending”. 

Instead we got the “best ending”.  Loved it.

---

Yes, I agree it’s an excellent ending.

However I’ve noticed that many posters consider the ending primarily as a tragedy.

In my opinion this view is incomplete - the ending is also a triumph (albeit a hollow one)… which is why it is so powerful.

---

Actually, I think the fact it’s a hollow victory is the very thing which makes the ending so tragic.  It’s like that Bible verse about gaining the world but losing your soul–Dr. Horrible acheives his ambition, but without Penny he cannot enjoy it.

The more I think about it, the more I not only like the ending, but feel it to be the best possible one dramatically.

Yes, it is a superb dramatic ending.

However I doubt that Dr. Horrible has lost his soul - as the last two seconds of Act III indicates.

Also note that Dr. Horrible did not jump off a building or retire into obscurity when he loses Penny. Instead he joined the ELE with much gusto - the new red garb and black gloves!

World domination is not about enjoyment.

I thought it was a pretty smooth curve… the end result was predicatable, though I didn't expect Penny's fate until the pause after the explosion where it seemed everything turned out ok… at that point, I was pretty much expecting it, but I think 8 seconds doesn't count for saying “I knew it was coming!” 

The act progression made it seem clear the general plot would end darkly..

It started in Act 1, where Dr Horrible is really just trying to both fit in and be a part of something, as well as trying to make the world better.  He THINKS he is evil, but really he is good overall, and at heart… In HIS world, he sees good as people like Captain Hammer… arrogant and self-important, attractive and shallow… just enough to get media attention and get people to like him (who don't know him), but to anyone with a brain, see through.  With that as a definition of good, I can see how he'd think he was 'evil'.  His application to the villains was more to find a group that would accept him..  But his definition of evil was to develop the proper persona, and … laugh… not to maim and slaughter.. in fact, his freeze ray was deliberately intended not to harm, just incapacitate, allowing him to gain power to save the world from itself… he didn't even seem to seek power for the sake of power, but to help people.

Act 1 complements that feel with the music, all major chords and with an air of hope and silliness.

Act 2 takes a bit of a dip, mixing the styles of act 1 with darker lyrics, mixed with more base human emotions such as anger, jealousy