Act One is 13 minutes and 39 seconds of delight and charm.
The act consists of three sections. First off, we have Dr Horrible (who is anything but) in his lab doing a direct to camera. His two missions and the stakes of the series are quickly established as is Dr H's true nemesis:
My nemesis is Captain Hammer. Coporate tool. Dislocated my shoulder. Again. Last week.
There are two songs in this first section and we meet Dr. H's love interest, Penny and his sidekick, Moist.
Do you need anything dampened? Or made soggy?
The second section takes us to the street, where Dr H is undertaking a mission which will help him accomplish his goal of taking over the world and simultaneously bring him the respect of other villains including Bad Horse. But just as he is mid-plan, Penny appears to distract him. What ensues is a scene of total, unadulterated brilliance: Dr H torn between his need to steal the Wonderflonium and chatting up the woman he loves. The scene is wonderfully written and perfectly performed.
In the final section of the act, Dr H is in the process of stealing the Wonderflonium when Captain Hammer appears to try to foil the plan. It's a fun, funny action sequence set to yet another song. The act ends with a split decision for Horrible; Hammer gets the girl, but Horrible gets the Wonderflonium.
The piece is filled with quotable dialogue and funny lyrics. The shooting and art direction are terrific and the acting is nothing short of brilliant.
You can watch the first act of Dr Horrible for free for just a few days. Better to download it from iTunes for $1.99 to have it for posterity.
Go Joss.
Because the status is not quo.
Freeze ray. Stops time. Tell your friends.
