Dr. Horrible's Singalong Is Pure Whedon

"Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog" is a web-based musical about a hapless super-villain wannabe with a crush on the pretty girl at the laundromat. It's the kind of thing that only Joss Whedon could make work, and if the first episode is any indication, he's made it work fantastically. There are no deep thoughts present, this is purely pleasant fluff, but it's really good fluff. It's Whedon fluff.

The first episode, weighing in at a scant 15 minutes, introduces Neil Patrick Harris' Dr. Horrible; his roommate Mr. Moist (a villain with the dubiously useful power of being able to make things... moist); Penny, the pretty girl at the laundromat; and Captain Hammer, the doctor's arch-nemesis. I've always thought that Nathan Fillion looked a bit like a comic book hero, and his portrayal of the egotistical Captain Hammer is pitch perfect. Fillion makes a great foil for Harris, who is a twitchy, nervous sort of anti-hero. Dr. Horrible's efforts to get into the Evil League of Evil and win the heart of Penny don't start off too well, but I'm sure that the hero (or really, the villain) will triumph in the end.

There aren't really any big, show-stopping musical numbers; but the singing is well done and the lyrics are very funny. The final number, sung by Penny, Captain Hammer and Doctor Horrible, is particularly charming. Of course, there's plenty of riffing on super-villain and super-hero clichés, including freeze-rays and a really good villainous laugh. The characters are pretty thin, but there's a surprising amount of heart for such an absurd premise. It's hard not to empathize with geeky, dopey Dr. Horrible, and root against the heroically self-obsessed Captain Hammer. Penny (Felicia Day) didn't have much to do other than look pretty and helpless, but she managed that fetchingly. It's more fun than you'd expect from anyone but Joss Whedon. From Joss, it's just another day at the office.

Earlier today when I tried to watch the video, it was down due to what I can only assume was massive demand. As of now the first episode is the #2 television download on iTunes and the remaining episodes (released on July 17th and 19th) will no doubt see the same kind of demand. The episodes will only be available for free for a limited time, so get 'em while they last.