Justice League: Doom

PLOT (spoiler alert!!!):

The film revolves around Vandal Savage’s plot to exterminate the greater part of the human population and start a new civilization. To ensure that the Justice League is unable to stop him, Savage hires Mirror Master, who hacks into the Batcomputer and steals contingency plans devised by Batman to incapacitate his League teammates should they ever go rogue. Savage assembles a group of supervillains with personal vendettas against the heroes and pays them richly to simultaneously attack the members of the League using these plans, albeit altered to be lethal.

The villains each do their part to take out the Justice League:
Batman is informed by Alfred Pennyworth that the bodies of Thomas and Martha Wayne have been exhumed and are missing. When Bruce Wayne arrives at his parents’ graves, he is ambushed by Bane. The emotional distraction is enough to grant Bane the upper hand and render his adversary unconscious. Bruce is then placed into his father’s coffin which is reburied. He wakes up to the horrifying prospect of dying of asphyxiation next to his father’s corpse.
The Martian Manhunter (in his human identity of John Jones) is celebrating his birthday with his colleagues from the police force. He receives a drink from a mysterious woman (who is actually Ma’alefa’ak in disguise). The drink is laced with magnesium carbonate, which is poisonous to Martian biology. The Manhunter’s body is capable of curing itself, but only by sweating out the magnesium which is highly flammable. Ma’alefa’ak uses a lighter to set his enemy on fire (J’onn’s only weakness), leaving him to burn alive without the possibility to extinguish the flames.
Wonder Woman is attacked by Cheetah who scratches her arm, sending nanomachines into her bloodstream. The microscopic machines attach themselves to her brain stem and begin broadcasting directly into her visual and auditory sensors. This fools Wonder Woman into thinking that everyone she sees is a duplicate of Cheetah. The illusion is designed to exploit her competitive nature, by sending her into a never-ending battle. Since she would never surrender, she will force herself to fight until her body gives out, thanks to the drugs the nanomachines were carried in, causing her to suffer an epileptic seizure or a heart attack.
The Flash is lured into a trap by Mirror Master who pretends to be robbing a train. The villain then uses a hologram of an elderly woman to create the illusion that he had a hostage. The whole scenario is only intended to trick the Flash into placing his arm into a booby trap that attaches a bomb to his wrist. The bomb will explode and kill everyone within three miles if the hero tries to remove it or if he does nothing. The only way to prevent the explosion is to run and never decelerate, but even the Flash cannot run forever.
Green Lantern is called upon by the FBI to deal with a group of terrorists who have taken hostages into a salt mine. However the truth is that both the terrorists and the hostages are sophisticated androids. The entire setting is part of a complex deception that fools Green Lantern into thinking that innocent lives are lost due to his overconfidence. The hero is also exposed to a synthesized version of the Scarecrow’s fear gas that undermines his will. Finally, Star Sapphire shows up and exploits his fears convincing him that he does not deserve the power he wields. Green Lantern renounces his ring without which he cannot escape from the collapsed salt mine. The weakened hero resigns to his fate.
Superman is lured to the roof of the Daily Planet by a disillusioned former employee named Henry Ackerson, who aims to commit suicide by either jumping off or shooting himself. Superman tries to talk him out of it, and appears to have succeeded, when Ackerson unexpectedly shoots the hero instead. It is then revealed that the suicide ploy was meant to trick Superman into lowering his guard, that the former employee was being impersonated by Metallo, and that the bullet was made of Kryptonite, the only material that can harm Kryptonians. A fatally wounded Superman falls from the top of the building.

Batman comes close to accepting his fate but, motivated by the memory of his father’s murder, is able to dig his way out of the grave. He soon realizes that the League has been attacked using his own contingency plans. With help from Cyborg, he saves his teammates one by one.

The Justice League retreats to the Watchtower, where Batman reveals that he was the real mastermind behind the attacks, having studied the others for physical and psychological weaknesses. However, he also had a contingency in place should the Batcomputer ever be hacked: a tracing algorithm hidden in his files. This enables the League to track down the Legion of Doom.

The villains are subdued, but the heroes fail to prevent Savage’s scheme to orchestrate an apocalyptic cataclysm with a powerful solar flare. Using information obtained by Cyborg, Batman devises a last minute plan and the League barely manages to save the Earth. The World Court sentences the immortal Vandal Savage to life imprisonment without possibility of parole.

In the aftermath of their victory, the Justice League votes to add Cyborg to their roster. Superman calls for a vote on Batman’s continued membership in the team, following the revelation of the latter’s breach of trust. However, Batman defends his plans and expresses no regret over his actions, resigning himself before the vote can be held.

In the final scene, Superman entrusts Batman with the Kryptonite bullet, agreeing with the concept of having safeguards in place should the League members ever fall to villainy or mind control – but not without first questioning him about Bane’s attack. It is revealed that exhuming the bodies of Thomas and Martha Wayne was entirely Savage’s idea. Superman asks Batman why he wouldn’t create a contingency plan for the event that he himself might go rogue. Batman replies he did; saying “It’s called the Justice League”.

REVIEW:

Before all the talk of The Avengers kicks into high gear next weekend, I figured this would be the perfect time to check out their DC counterpart, the Justice League by watching their newest release Justice League: Doom. Hate to disappoint some of you, but don’t hold your breath for a live action Justice League film anytime soon, for numerous reasons I won’t bother mentioning, other than saying Christopher Nolan has said his Batman “doesn’t play well with others”.

Putting that thought aside, this film has almost everything you would want from your Justice League films. What worked?

Voice acting. As someone who is a big fan of the DC Animated universe, I always love it when they bring in the best known voices such as Tim Daly as Superman, Bruce Conroy as Batman and newer voices that have made names for themselves such as Nathan Filion as Green Lantern. There is something to be said about continuity. Such a shame these people can’t always reprise these roles. Some of the people who follow them aren’t close to stacking up.

The story. This comes from a story arc in the comics that I’m not too familiar with, but they seem to do a goof job condensing what was no doubt a lengthy series into a full length animated feature. Sure, I can imagine that things were left out, but it doesn’t seem to make for a less entertaining tale.

Cyborg. Sure, we all know about the big characters, Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and The Flash (no clue where Aquaman and Hawkman were, though), but it is good to bring in some new blood. Most people are familiar with him from Teen Titans, but just as Robin is a different character in Young Justice than the one in that show, the same goes for Cyborg. Take your pick of which you prefer, but they are both great. Unfortunately, I kind of get the feeling they stuck him in there to be the “token black guy” (although, it appears that Martian Manhunterfills that role in his human form).

The villains. These aren’t exactly the arch-enemies, but they are pretty high up on each hero’s villain board. Having said that, it is good to get a break from the likes of Lex Luthor, the Joker, Sinestro, and their ilk.

What didn’t work.

Character design. For some reason, every character seemed to look alike. Bruce Wayne looked exactly like Superman, for instance, and they both had that Young Justice design that I don’t really have a problem with, but just didn’t seem to work here. Also, Wonder Woman’s headband thingy seemed to come down a bit far on her forehead. That just irked me.

Pacing. The pacing is fine, but in the last 10-15 minutes, there seems to that feeling of we need to hurry and wrap this up. Such a shame since things were moving along at such a nice steady tempo. I actually think they could have taken a few more minutes to develop the final conflict(s) a bit better.

Justice League: Doom definitely goes down as one of the best DC Animated films. There is very little that is wrong with this picture. If there are studios plotting to unleash a live action Justice League film on us, then they should get some ideas from this. I highly recommend this to all the superhero lovers out there. It is a must see!

4 3/4 out of 5 stars

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

PLOT:

A heroic version of Lex Luthor (Chris Noth) from an alternate universe appears to recruit the Justice League to help save his Earth from the Crime Syndicate, an evil version of the League. While most of the League goes to help Luthor, Batman stays behind to finish rebuilding the Watchtower.

The League encounters a parallel world where Slade Wilson is President of the United States. The world is being extorted by the Crime Syndicate, and the only thing holding the Syndicate in check is the threat of nuclear retaliation by the nations of the world against their base on the Moon.

Owlman is building a weapon that can presumably destroy entire cities. Unbeknownst to all but Owlman, the weapon can destroy entire worlds. Operating under the theory that there are many parallel earths, and that each one develops from our choices, he begins seeking to find the first Earth. By destroying Earth Prime, he can create a cascade effect that will destroy every earth. He is stopped by Batman at the last moment.

REVIEW:

In the battle that seems to be going on between Marvel and DC films (animated and live-action), DC seems to be winning, but that’s not to say that they can do no wrong. Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths is a decent enough take on the stroyline from the comics, but not every story works in animated form.

First of all, I have a beef with the voice casting. There appear to be more “name” voices in this one than in previous DC Studio films. This wouldn’t be a problem except for the fact that these voices don’t necessarily fit their characters. For instance, Chris Noth, who voices Lex Luthor, many may know him from Sex & the City, just doesn’t quite seem to fit. I can’t put my finger on it. Same goes for William Baldwin as Batman and Mark Harmon as Superman. Not to take anything away from these actors. They did a good job bringing these characters to life and all, but for me, they just didn’t seem to fit. The worst offender, though, had to have been James Woods as Owlman. Aside from being the biggest name in this flick, he seems to be above the material. Maybe it was because I wasn’t buying Baldwin as Batman, and Woods’ Owlman left something to be desired. I can’t put my finger on it, but there was just something that rubbed me the wrong way about most of the cast.

Having said that, there was a bright spot, and that was Gina Torres as Superwoman. Not since Lucy Lawless voiced Wonder Woman has a voice seemed to fit so perfectly in every way as Torres’ did. I’m not the biggest fan of Gina, but I did find myself wishing for more.

The story isn’t bad, but it doesn’t move along at the pace I would like for it to. I mean, it starts out with a bang, then we get into some technical confusing mumbo jumbo to set up the plot, then unnecessary drama that leads to this 15-30 min lull before the climax. Unfortunately, this seems to be the formula for DC films. Something they need to get fixed, as they appear to be falling into a rut.

One plus for this film is that we get to see some of other members of the league that haven’t really been featured anywhere else, unless you count the Cartoon Network series Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Firestorm, Red Tornado, Black Lightning, Black Canary, and surprisingly Aquaman, haven’t really been given any screentime anywhere. At least not to speak of, short of cameos and te aforementioned series which focuses on lesser known heroes, so it was good to see them here, especially Tornado and Firestorm. Maybe this will springboard them into their own series.

Another plus is that this isn’t an origin tale, although,unless I missed it, they never say how the watchtower was in such a state of disrepair. The Flash also gets a bit of chance to shine, although he is turned away by Batman and Lex Luthor. I have to wonder, though, if they made it a point to get Flash some airtime, is this the start of something. Hopefully so, Flash is overdue for anything since that short-lived show in the early 90s.

As far as animated superhero films go, this could have been better, but at the same time, it could have been much worse. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it. If I could have gotten past the shotty voice casting, I may ave been able to fully recommend this, but those vocal chords just don’t do the characters justice and severely take away from the impact they could have. Having said all this, this is just an above average picture for me that could have been better, but I’m sure more than a few folks will love it, so check it out.

4 out of 5 stars

Justice League: The New Frontier

PLOT:

The film begins with an unknown entity explaining how it has witnessed the evolution of life on Earth:

“

Like all things on this hurtling sphere, I emerged from the molten center of creation. But mine has been a unique path. Isolated, I developed attributes beyond those of lesser beings. Then the sphere was struck by a vast celestial stone. Black chunks of death filled the skies and the world became a chaotic garden of doom. Soon the sphere began to nurture new kinds of life. And there was one that stood above the rest. Its fragile shell belied its vicious nature. And in what seemed like a heartbeat, these things proliferated in both number and destructive needs. Now they have harnessed the most destructive force. And I, The Centre, have concluded that the sphere must be cleansed of them.

”

This explanation is shown being written and illustrated under the title “The Last Story” by a mysterious person who then shoots himself.

The film cuts to the end of the Korean War, where United States Air Force pilot Hal Jordan and his wingman, Kyle “Ace” Morgan, are attacked by enemy pilots not yet informed of the cease-fire. Hal is shot down in the ensuing conflict, and forced to kill a Korean soldier after ejecting to safety. The trauma of this event leads Halto a mentalward within a hospital for two years.

Elsewhere, at Gotham Observatory, the last survivor of the Green Martian race, J’onn J’onzz, is inadvertently teleported to Earth by a scientist, Dr. Saul Erdel. The shock of J’onn’s appearance causes Erdel to succumb to a heart attack, though not before he apologizes for stranding the Martian. Unable to return to Mars, he disguises himself as Dr. Erdel.

The following year, Superman meets Wonder Woman in Indochina, where she celebrates with a group of women she rescued from political rebels. The Amazon allowed them to exact their own brand of fatal justice upon their captors, which Superman is horrified to learn. He reminds Diana that the government is distrustful at best of the heroes, which has led to the Justice Society’s disbanding and Hourman’sdeath, as well as Batman’s branding as a fugitive vigilante. Superman also tries to remind her that mitigating the general public’sfear is why they signed loyalty oaths to the United States government (presumably at the behest of Senator Joseph McCarthy). Diana, however, resolves that she must do what she feels is right. The two part at odds, and Diana later leaves America to return to Paradise Island. Superman later confides in Lois about Wonder Woman and Batman, neither of whom, he says, would sacrifice their principles for each other.

In Gotham, J’onn J’onzzhas been living quietly under the guise of Dr. Erdel, while learning what he can about humans and Earth society through television. He shape-shifts into different guises during his nightly viewing, such as Groucho Marx and Bugs Bunny, before settling on the form of a film noir detective.

In Las Vegas, reporter Iris West is on assignment to interview singer Buddy Blake, at the same casino where HalJordan and Ace Morgan are enjoying themselves. While Iris is on the phone with her boyfriend Barry Allen, Captain Cold arrives to rob the casino. Hearing the events on the phone, Barry races to Vegas from Central City as The Flash and confronts Cold, who tells him he’s hidden six cryogenic bombs around Vegas set to go off in ninety seconds. Flash zips around the city and locates five of the bombs, but deduces the sixth is a decoy, and captures Cold before he can escape by helicopter. Before being subdued, Cold is possessed by the unknown entity from the prologue, who asks Flash why he is faster than “the other lesser beings” before leaving the Rogue.

Hal and Ace leave the casino and head into the desert. Hal is unclear about their destination, which Ace keeps a surprise. Ace notices Hal has been acting differently, and Jordan confesses things haven’t been the same since the war and his time in the hospital. He also admits his past hospitalization has kept him from getting a job with a top aircraft company. It’s after Hal confides in Ace that the two arrive at Ferris Aircraft, where an opening as a test pilot is indeed waiting for Hal, thanks to a recommendation from his friend.

Back in Gotham, J’onn joins the Gotham City Police Department under the name “John Jones,” and with his integrity, cunning analyticalskill, and telepathy, quickly rises to the ranks of detective in just two years. After investigating a kidnapping of a child which was later discovered to be part of a sacrificial ritual for a cult that worships something called “The Centre,” J’onn and his partner Slam Bradley meet Batman for the first time as he is also investigating the kidnapping. The two cops join Batman in battle against the cult, but a fire is started during the fight, rendering J’onn powerless until Slam extinguishes it. Afterward, when Batman attempts to free the boy from his bonds, the child is terrified at the sight of him. J’onnarrives to calm the boy down and then he and his partner free the child themselves. The entity which possessed Captain Cold speaks through the incapacitated cult leader, identifying itself as “The Centre” and warning of an impending judgment.

Hal Jordan begins training exercises under Col. Rick Flaggat Ferris Industries. His joking, devil-may-care attitude rubs Flag the wrong way, but Carol Ferris is understanding and recognizes Hal’s natural ability. Carol also recognizes that Halneeds to know the true nature of his training, which she soon reveals to him: the government has commissioned Ferris Aircraft to build a spacecraft capable of travel to Mars. Specialagent King Faraday is assigned to oversee the project, which is in response to Dr. Erdel’s contact with Mars and J’onn’s arrival.

Back in Gotham, the Dark Knight reveals his knowledge of J’onn’s true nature in his apartment, as he is able to find a way to shield his mind from J’onn’s telepathy, and suggests that they should form an alliance as they are both investigating the cult that is rising throughout the world–a cult that worships the Centre. J’onn’s demonstration of kindness toward the boy led Batman to believe that he can be a trusted ally. However, he warns J’onn that should he betray him, he is fully aware of and willing to use the Martian’s vulnerability to fire against him.

In Central City, The Flash defeats Gorilla Grodd (or, rather, a robotic duplicate), but is targeted by government agents, as they attempt to capture him in an effort to learn the secret of his powers. Though he narrowly escapes, the experience leads the Flash to consider retiring from his crimefighting career.

J’onn J’onzz interrogates Harry Leiter, a former Ferris employee apprehended for murder while under the influence of the Center. During the questioning, Harry lets word slip about the launch to Mars. Leiter’s ramblings are confirmed when Faraday arrives to take him into custody. J’onnbriefly glimpses into the agent’s mind and learns the truth. After watching the Flash announce his retirement on live television, and seeing the public contemptuous response, a disheartened J’onn attempts to stow away on the rocket so that he may return home. Before leaving, he arrives in Batman’s headquarters, the Batcave, revealing that he’s been aware of Batman’s secrets for quite some time (using his cunning detective skills instead of his telepathy), and gives him the last of his research on The Centre. J’onnreveals to Batman that he’s losing faith in humanity, as he sees that there’s too much hatred, ignorance, and conformity within the people around him, which made him decide to leave Earth. Batman’s response is cold and brief, as he tells J’onn some people don’t have the luxury of leaving Earth.

While attempting to board the ship, J’onn is seen on camera by Faraday, who confronts J’onn and fights him on the launchpad. J’onn is able to beat Faraday, but saves him from the rocket exhaust by flying him to a platform before collapsing. The rocket is damaged and malfunctions shortly after exiting the atmosphere. Hal wants to attempt a landing, but his co-pilot, Col. Rick Flagg, reveals that the rocket is loaded with weapons of mass destruction, and as such he won’t risk it. After a brief struggle, Hal is ejected from the cockpit. Though he is saved by Superman, the distraction allows Flagg to detonate the rocket.

J’onn J’onzz is held as a prisoner by Faraday. Superman blasts Faraday for treating J’onn differently from him (a Kryptonianand thus also an alien), just because J’onn looks radically different. He also points out the captivity is entirely J’onn’sdecision because he can escape at any time using his powers.

On Paradise Island, Wonder Woman trains with Fury, and tells her of how America has changed since the war. Her training partner says the island has changed as well, and that many Amazons desire a change in leadership. Though Diana quickly fends off a challenge from her fellow Amazon, the two of them are soon beset upon by the approaching Center.

Hal Jordan is later found by Abin Sur, the Green Lantern of Sector 2814. The destruction of the rocket badly wounds him as he enters Earth’s atmosphere, so he instructs his ring to find a worthy replacement. He leaves his ring with Hal, and tells him of The Centre, which he describes as a “monstrous creature” that fears humans and seeks their destruction.

In the Batcave, Superman reviews J’onn’sresearch with Batman and meets Robin for the first time. Batman has altered the design of his suit so it won’t frighten an innocent, but is still able to strike terror in the heart of a criminal. As they discuss the Centre, they hear Lois reporting on the attack of a giant pterodactyl at Cape Canaveral. Superman arrives at the scene and quickly defeats the creature. Almost immediately afterwards, Wonder Woman’s invisible jet makes a crash landing, its cockpit smeared with blood. Before losing consciousness, Wonder Woman warns Superman that the Centre is coming.

Faraday eventually befriends J’onn who saved his life, and occasionally plays chess with him. J’onnreveals to Faraday that he decided to remain at the agent’s basewillingly because of the upcoming battle with The Centre, and had telepathically looked into the agent’s mind during their battle at the platform. J’onn found that Faraday believes that one day the world won’t be living in fear and hate. Finding that within Faraday, J’onn has renewed hope for humanity and decides to participate in the battle to save Earth. Before leaving with Faraday, J’onn adopts a new Martian/human superheroic hybrid form as the Martian Manhunter, believing it is honest to his heritage with a friendly appearance to human perception.

Following this, the Centre begins its attack in earnest at the coast of Florida, finally revealed as a massive flying island, with an army of mutated dinosaurs to guard it. The threat draws heroes such as Flash (whom Iris talks into coming out of retirement), Green Arrow, Adam Strange, the Challengers of the Unknown, and the Blackhawks, who clash with the soldiers on base. The conflict is stopped by Superman, who advocates cooperation between the two sides. He is unexpectedly seconded by Faraday, accompanied by J’onn, who agrees that the government and the heroes must work together for freedom. With that, Superman heads out to do reconnaissance on the Centre, but is swiftly and shockingly defeated.

Moved by his effort, the rest of Earth’s superheroes and military forces band together to defeat the Centre. Batman interrupts a meeting between Faraday, J’onn, Will Magnus and the Challengers, bringing with him Ray Palmer, a scientist known for his work with matter reduction. When one of the Challengers argues the technology is too unreliable, destabilizing anything it shrinks, Batman replies that’s exactly the point, and a plan is formed to use Palmer’s reduction ray to destabilize the island. The heroes will distract the Centre with a frontal assault (while Hal and Ace fly a bombing mission into the creature), leaving Flash to quickly crisscross the island with the ray.

While the aerial assault (including Batman and Green Arrow as pilots) is nearly outmatched before the intervention of the Blackhawks, Faraday’s ground forces are ambushed by a herd of rampaging mutant dinosaurs. J’onn is overwhelmed by the psychic impact from The Centre and is rescued by Faraday, who is shortly thereafter captured by a dinosaur. As he is about to be eaten by a tyrannosaurus, Faraday grabs two hand grenades and pulls the pins. The dinosaur swallows Faraday and immediately afterwards its head explodes from the grenade detonation, killing both it and Faraday. The shock of his friend’s death helps J’onn shake off the Centre’s hold, and he and a recovered Wonder Woman help turn the tide of the ground battle.

HalJordan and Ace Morgan manage to shoot their way into the core of the creature, but are disoriented at first by its hallucinogenic effects. The creature secretes a thick red fluid that jams their weapons and almost suffocates them. It is then that Hal’s ring activates, relaying instructions from the Guardians of the Universe as to its use. Ace manages to detonate his payload, and is rescued by Hal–now dressed in a costume identical to Abin Sur’s–just before his plane explodes.

The explosion gives the ground crew their opening as they prepare to send Flash to finish the creature. The speedster is struck by the gravity of the situation and his role in it, but J’onn reassures him that everyone will be behind him. Flash races across the ocean and leaps onto the Centre’s surface, covering the entire surface on foot before leaping into the ocean. The Centre begins to shrink, but realizing its imminent destruction, it heads toward land to destroy the humans along with it. Hal realizes what he must do, and envelops the island in green energy, then tows it into space where it explodes.

The entire world celebrates the Centre’s defeat. As many participants in the battle attend a ceremony, Hal celebrates the victory his own way by pursuing his lifelong dream: flying through space with the aid of his new power ring. During the celebration, Superman is revealed to be injured but still alive, saved by a man named Arthur, claiming to be from an underwater kingdom. He and his subjects treated Superman’s wounds during the battle with the Centre. Superman is reunited with Lois and the rest of the heroes, who are touted so on the front page of the Daily Planet.

This monumental victory and display of teamwork changes public opinion about superheroes, and a montage of various heroes and villains (with cameos by the Teen Titans, Black Manta, Brainiac, Captain Marvel, Darkseid, Black Canary, Doctor Light, Doctor Sivana, Gentleman Ghost, Harley Quinn, Joker, Key, Lex Luthor, Monocle, Plastic Man, Ra’s al Ghul, Riddler, Robin, Star Sapphire, Two-Face, and Ultra-Humanite) as well as the birth of the world’s second generation superhero team: Justice League, set to the titular John F. Kennedy speech, is shown just before the film ends.

REVIEW:

I was a fan of each incarnation of the Justice League as an animated series, and this direct to DVD release hasn’t swayed my interest.

The film seems to focus on Hal Jordan, the original Green Lantern with appearances by other members of the league in their early forms. Nothing wrong with that, per se, but this is supposed to be a film about the Justice League, not Green Lantern.

Speaking of the Green Lantern, he is supposed to be getting an animated direct to to DVD treatment soon, as well as a feature film due out in theaters in 2010. David Boreanaz really brings him to  life in this film, though. I remember an episode of  Bones where he was a reading a Green Lantern comic. I wonder if that was just something he placed there, or a slight way to plug this film.

Neil Patrick Harris as the Flash surprised me. I mean, the Flash has always been one of the lighter characters, similar to Spider Man in the Marvel Universe, and Harris seems to capture that essence.

Who better to give Wonder Woman a voice than Lucy Lawless. I personally think that Wonder Woman has some ties to Xena, but that’s just me.

I didn’t care for Jeremy Sisto as Batman, but I’m sure there are those that thought he did a good job. For me, though, he wasn’t convincing. Same goes for Kyle McLachlan as Superman.

The action in this film is very stylized and fits the time frame that they seem to be going for, but make no mistake the version of the league is not something you’ll be seeing on Cartoon Network during the day. There are many violent points, such as Hal Jordan shooting a bullet through a Russians head.

For fans of comic books and superheroes, this is a must see. For evryone else, this is a really good animated film with a decent storyline that you can get into, whether you know anything about the characters or not.

4 out of 5 stars