Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (2008)

Penny (Felicia Day): You're not really interested in the homeless, are you?
Dr. Horrible (Neil Patrick Harris): No, I am, but... it's a symptom. You're treating a symptom while the disease rages on, consumes the human race. The fish rots from the head, so they say. So I'm thinking, why not cut off the head?
Penny: [pause] Of the human race?
Dr. Horrible: It's not a... perfect metaphor.

Dr. Horrible: Sorry I come on so strong.
Penny: But you signed [the petition]

Dr. Horrible: I’m Dr. Horrible! I’ve got a PhD in Horribleness!
Moist (Simon Helberg): [unimpressed] Is that the new catch-phrase?

Dr. Horrible: I want to be an achiever, like Bad Horse.
Penny: [surprised] The thoroughbred of sin?
Dr. Horrible: I meant Ghandi.

"It’s a good day to be homeless."
- Newscaster (reporting on the news of a new homeless shelter)

"The world is a mess, and I just need to rule it."
- Dr. Horrible

"Billy, You're driving a spork into your leg!"
- Penny

Captain Hammer: This is so nice / I just might sleep with the same girl twice / They say it's better the second time / They say you get to do the weird stuff.
Groupies: We do the weird stuff.

"Justice has a name, and the name that it has, besides Justice, is Captain Hammer."
- Mayor

At a glance: Joss Whedon’s rock opera about an inept wannabe evil doctor is a typical Whedon dark/light comedy, where the line between villain and hero in thin. Released directly to the Internet, it’s funny, clever, well-written – and the songs are great, too.

Back when Joss Whedon was making Buffy episodes, a friend sent me a memorable one: Buffy: The Musical. All the characters did their usual zombie/monster fighting, but sung and danced their way through the episode. The songs were great to listen to, and the episode was fun – and funny. Now, years later, in a way to keep working during the Hollywood writer’s strike, Joss has created a new short film, released directly to the Internet, that uses the same concept. Billy/Dr. Horrible () is an aspiring evil scientist who, more than anything, wants entry into the Evil League of Evil. To do so, he has to apply and get approval from the League Leader, and unseen evil entity named Bad Horse. Each time Bad Horse corresponds (either by letter or phone), his message is relayed by three singing cowboys who pop up into the borders of the shot wearing blatantly fake moustaches. Dr. Horrible’s other goal is to get serious with Penny, a girl he often sees at the laundromat. But standing in his way is Captain Hammer (Nathan Fillion) a self-absorbed, misogynistic ‘superhero’. Through circumstance, Penny falls in love with Hammer, which pleases the good on the outside/ bad on the inside Hammer to no end: he’s not only going to get the girl, but his arch-rival Dr. Horrible isn’t. Clever, unique, and fun, it’s not only great to watch, but as soon as it ended, I wanted to start it up again. When the DVD comes out, I’ll be sure to get it, as a way of supporting Joss and his work. Rating: 3 of 4

"Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog is a writer's strike baby, and far more interesting than dumb and skeevy reality TV shows like Moment of Truth. It's a 44 minute web musical, done on a low budget. I'd suggest downloading Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog from iTunes, but I have to admit, I'm waiting for the DVD. Why? I'll tell you why. The commentary is a musical, that's why. And that is, undeniably, totally cool."
- Lissa (MutantReviewers.com)