SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:30 Min.
Recorded by Method Man, it’s the tenth tune off 1995’s Batman Forever movie soundtrack.
REVIEW:
Maybe it sounded hip for its time, but this rap track is easily forgettable. Its melody is okay, but the song itself merely takes up space on the Batman Forever album.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 3 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:53 Min.
Helping rocket 3 Doors Down into mainstream stardom is this Superman-themed rock tune from 2000. The track appears on the group’s The Better Life album.
REVIEW:
Even after twenty plus years, “Kryptonite” still exudes a catchy sound. It’s just unfortunate that the song wasn’t included (for whatever reason) in the Smallville TV series. For its final few seasons, the tune would have been ideal for action scenes highlighting Tom Welling & Erica Durance’s Clark-and-Lois chemistry. If anything “Kryptonite” makes a great addition to any rock, workout, or super-hero themed playlists.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
Note: Remy Zero’s “Save Me (LP Version)” track from 2001’s Smallville: The Talon Mix album is an ideal companion download. The same applies to Theory of a Deadman’s pulsating “Invisible Man” from the 2002 Spider-Man movie soundtrack.
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:57 Min.
Appearing as Track # 3, Brandy Norwood’s “Where Are You Now?” is from 1995’s Batman Forever soundtrack.
REVIEW:
It’s hardly a surprise that, like much of Batman Forever’s hodge-podge playlist, this tune has little, if anything, to do with Gotham City. Still, by working off some solid lyrics, Brandy’s vocals mesh well with this funky R&B melody. Of the soundtrack’s fourteen entries, her classy-sounding “Where Are You Now?” definitely lands among its top four.
In that regard, “Where Are You Now?” ages well enough as a download option for soundtrack and R&B playlists.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
Note: Besides Seal’s “Kiss From a Rose,” another track off this album worth considering is The Devlins’ “Crossing The River.”
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 1:01 Min.
The track appears on 2010’s DC Comics: 75th Anniversary (Vol. 1) album. From composer Jay Gruska, the track was the opening credits theme throughout the TV series’ 1993-97 run.
Note: Only a few months after its final episode, Gruska’s full-length Lois & Clark soundtrack was released. This particular theme appears as Track # 1 on that album.
REVIEW:
Considering the rare opportunity to hear this theme, this Jay Gruska track hasn’t lost its charm. To Gruska’s credit, it’s an original melody that doesn’t seem cartoony, but it still conjures up some Superman magic. As short as this track is, it’s well-played!
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 5:27 Min.
From the 2013 Man of Steel film soundtrack, this instrumental track is by composer-conductor Hans Zimmer. The theme also notably appears in trailers for the movie.
REVIEW:
Though it doesn’t by any means eclipse John Williams’s 1978 Superman theme, this epic track by Hans Zimmer is still a worthy-enough successor. Starting quietly ponderous on the piano, the theme builds into a full-blown orchestral crescendo that spells out this Man of Steel’s presence with a sense of awe and wonder. It’s not surprising that the film’s production team chose this theme to help sell Henry Cavill’s debut in trailers for the latest big-screen Superman.
The sole disappointment is Zimmer didn’t follow the Smallville TV score’s classy lead by incorporating even a brief homage reprising Williams’ theme. It would have been an invaluable move to link Cavill’s big-screen heroics to Superman’s definitive theme, like Christopher Reeve before him. In that sense, Zimmer’s track isn’t going to inspire casual listeners to instantly visualize the magic of a live-action Superman.
Still, “What Are You Going to Do When You Are Not Saving The World?” is an excellent download option for super-hero-themed and epic instrumental playlists. It’s best meant for fans who prefer a fresh and perhaps darker take on Superman.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:37 Min.
Recorded by Michael Hutchence of INXS, it’s the eleventh tune off 1995’s Batman Forever movie soundtrack.
REVIEW:
Michael Hutchence’s presence infuses this track’s edgy rock sound, but he isn’t its main asset. Instead, the song’s dark electronica quirkiness implies “The Passenger” would have been better served as a pure instrumental. Hutchence’s vocals frankly doesn’t add enough to make “The Passenger” even a top-five attraction on the Batman Forever album. In that sense, this song just isn’t remarkable. For Hutchence fans, however, “The Passenger” is worth checking out, if only to hear him moonlighting away from INXS.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 11 Min.
Directed by Shaunt Nigoghossian, the last episode first aired in the U.S. on June 3, 2018. In Gotham City, Booster Gold’s book signing event is ruined by a disgruntled, time-traveling villainess known as Red Velvet. Batman, Wonder Woman, and Green Arrow are baffled by this new threat, but a befuddled Booster may know far more than he realizes. The scorned Red Velvet’s sabotage of Watchtower Island ignites a devastating volcanic eruption.
Booster Gold: Diedrich Bader
Red Velvet / Margo Montgomery: Dania Ramirez
Green Arrow: Chris Diamantopoulos
Batman: Kevin Conroy
Wonder Woman: Rachel Kimsey
Note: For whatever reason, data re: official episode numbers and original air dates for this series vary depending upon its source, so such info should really be taken as a best guess.
REVIEW:
Working off an inspired script, Justice League Action goes out with a worthy bang. As yet another Booster Gold showcase, this episode is probably the character’s best contribution to the series. Including guest star Dania Ramirez, the voice cast is in top form exploring Booster’s self-involved past, present, and future. Diedrich Bader’s repartee with Ramirez, in particular, is a storytelling gem. The only parental concern might be the amusing depiction of marital strife, but older kids and adults will easily get this innocently-played humor.
The normally chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look, corresponds well with this sitcom. Considering its target audience clearly extends past the age 10-and-under crowd, even adult fans should get chuckles out of “She Wore Red Velvet.”
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars
Note: This episode is on the Justice League Action: Battles from Beyond! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the series’ second half).
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 11 Min.
Directed by Doug Murphy, this episode first aired in the U.S. on June 2, 2018. With the League on an off-world mission vs. the Red Lantern Corps, Plastic Man & Krypto supervise the Watchtower. When Red Lantern Dex-Starr covertly infiltrates the League’s base, only the Dog of Steel realizes the conniving alien feline’s scheme to initiate a Red Lantern invasion. It’s up to Krypto to summon some emergency super-help to battle Dex-Starr and his cohorts.
Plastic Man: Dana Snyder
Superman / Red Lantern Dex-Starr: Jason J. Lewis
Red Lantern Atrocitus: Michael Dorn
Krypto / Streaky: Rachel Kimsey
Supergirl: Joanne Spracklen
Batman: Kevin Conroy
Notes: Wonder Woman; Cyborg; Martian Manhunter; Flash; and Hawkman make non-vocal cameos. For whatever reason, data re: official episode numbers and original air dates for this series vary depending upon its source, so such info should really be taken as a best guess.
REVIEW:
Aside from an over-reliance on mild potty humor (i.e. several litter box gags), the ultra-likable Pets of Steel deliver an entertaining romp. Too bad that Ace the Bat-Hound isn’t included in this episode, but still two super-pets are plenty in terms of the necessary hijinks.
Plastic Man’s kitchen comedy act with Dex-Starr is a fun bit, but Dex-Starr’s kitty box dilemma is pushed too often. The normally chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look, corresponds well with this sitcom. Considering this episode’s target audience extends past the age 10-and-under crowd, even adult fans should get some chuckles out of this cheesy Pets of Steel showcase.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
Note: This episode is on the Justice League Action: Battles from Beyond! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the series’ second half).
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 11 Min.
Directed by Jake Castorena, this episode first aired in the U.S. on June 1, 2018. After a Kansas tornado crisis, a great ‘what-if’ pondered by Superman & Supergirl sets in motion the reality-warping of Mr. Mxyzptlk’s latest prank.
The now -“Kasnian” Man of Steel is now a slight variation of his rigid Soviet incarnation (specifically, DC Comics’ Superman: Red Son alternate reality). His super-cousin is now a vapid Hollywood mega-celebrity fixated on reality television. Mxyzptlk chimes in as her abrasive agent: “Morty.” In this reality, the Justice League no longer exists to possibly interfere. Naturally, the two blustery super-rivals face off for supremacy, leaving Booster Gold caught up in their feud.
Supergirl: Joanne Spracklen
Superman: Jason J. Lewis
Booster Gold: Diedrich Bader
Mr. Mxyzptlk / “Morty:” Gilbert Gottfried
TV Broadcaster: Uncredited
Red Carpet Onlooker: Uncredited
Notes: The broadcaster presumably was voiced by Jason J. Lewis or possibly Diedrich Bader. Joanne Spracklen probably also voices the onlooker’s single line. For whatever reason, data re: official episode numbers and original air dates for this series vary depending upon its source, so such info should really be taken as a best guess.
REVIEW:
Aside from one character’s implied death (which is magically undone), this Twlight Zone spoof is well-played entertainment. Voice actors Diedrich Bader and Gilbert Gottfried’s repartee pushing Booster Gold’s idiocy to hilarious effect pestering Mxyzptlk practically steals the show.
Joanne Spracklen’s take on Supergirl shines, as does Jason J. Lewis voicing a stern Eastern European accent for Superman. Their Kansas scenes for Superman & Supergirl add the precise touch of poignant humor. It’s a welcome balance to the episode’s parody of Superman & Supergirl, not to mention its good-natured skewering of Rod Serling and the Kardashians.
The chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look, meshes remarkably well with this creative sitcom. Though youngsters may not recognize an obvious homage to The Twlight Zone, the spoofy “Mxy Zone” TV show intro is an inspired gag that hopefully resurfaces in DC Comics. Considering this episode’s target audience is wide open, even adult fans should appreciate this delightful Justice League caper.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
Note: This episode is on the Justice League Action: Battles from Beyond! 2-disc DVD set (which collects this series’ second half).
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 11 Min.
Directed by Shaunt Nigoghossian, this episode first aired in the U.S. on May 31, 2018. Conjuring up a new prank, Mr. Mxyzptlk exploits Uncle Dudley’s hurt feelings when young Billy Batson asks him to refrain from joining Shazam’s crime-fighting. Posing as Shazam’s Wizard, Mxyzptlk transforms a naïve Dudley into the all-powerful ‘Captain Bamboozle.’ Overplaying his new super-hero role, Dudley may still be the League’s best hope containing a downtown crisis that Mxyzptlk has unleashed.
Dudley H. Dudley / Captain Bamboozle: John Astin
Shazam / Billy Batson: Sean Astin
Wonder Woman: Rachel Kimsey
Mr. Mxyzptlk / fake Wizard: Gilbert Gottfried
Batman: Kevin Conroy
Red Tornado: No Vocals
Felix Faust: Jon Cryer
Note: For whatever reason, data re: official episode numbers and original air dates for this series vary depending upon its source, so such info should really be taken as a best guess.
REVIEW:
Several major elements stand out in this well-played caper. First, the inspired pairing of father-and-son John Astin and Sean Astin as Uncle Dudley and Shazam/Billy merits kudos — the Astins simply nailed it. Second, restoring Dudley’s befuddled ‘Uncle Marvel’ persona (even under the new alias of Captain Bamboozle) is terrific comedy, particularly since John Astin sells the character so well.
There’s also the presence of Gilbert Gottfried’s improved Mxyzptlk, which isn’t quite as ear-grating as his previous appearance. This episode’s writing smartly finds a way for the obnoxious Fifth Dimension imp to harass other Justice Leaguers besides Superman. Lastly, utilizing Mxyzptlk and Felix Faust together is a great idea — perhaps DC Comics will see fit to give them an actual team-up bedeviling the League.
The usually chintzy animation, which gives Justice League Action its distinctive web series-like look, is kicked up a notch here. Considering this episode’s target audience is for ages 10-and-under, there is also poignant humor for nostalgic adults to appreciate in this delightfully silly Justice League adventure.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
Note: This episode is on the Justice League Action: Battles from Beyond! 2-disc DVD set (which collects the series’ second half).
