SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 1 Hr., 17 Min.
In 2019, DC released this original animated film reuniting the three primary voice cast members from 2001-2006’s Justice League/Justice League Unlimited TV series. Notably, virtually the same animation style is utilized, as are the related programs’ various musical scores.
In the 30th Century, the Legion of Super-Heroes fails to stop three members of the Fatal Five from stealing a time bubble meant to take them back to the early 21st Century. Star Boy (suffering from his century’s equivalent of paranoid schizophrenia), at the last second, pursues them and temporarily contains the villains within the bubble. Over the next ten months, without his medication, an amnesiac Star Boy is confined to Arkham Asylum.
In Portland, Oregon, Jessica Cruz (as Earth’s latest Green Lantern) copes with PTSD from her terrifying origin months before. She further resists Wonder Woman’s efforts to recruit her into the Justice League. Within the League, Batman reluctantly serves as teen Miss Martian’s probationary mentor. At the League’s HQ, Mr. Terrific inadvertently releases the three 30th Century fugitives, who then critically injure Superman.
Along with Star Boy, the League (Batman, Wonder Woman, Mr. Terrific, Miss Martian, and Superman) converges on Portland to save Jessica Cruz from an abduction attempt. Jessica is subsequently forced to free the Five’s two remaining from incarceration on planet Oa. To thwart the quartet’s catastrophic endgame, the League risks ultimate sacrifice to save the galaxy.
Principal Voice Cast:
Batman: Kevin Conroy (in his final project)
Wonder Woman: Susan Eisenberg
Superman: George Newbern
Jessica Cruz / Green Lantern: Diane Guerrero
Thomas Kallor / Star Boy: Elyes Gabel
Mr. Terrific & Kilowog: Kevin Michael Richardson
Miss Martian: Daniella Bobadilla
Saturn Girl / Harley Quinn / Poison Ivy: Tara Strong
Two-Face: Bruce Timm
Brainiac Five: Noel Fisher
Emerald Empress: Sumalee Montano
Mano: Philip Anthony Rodriguez
Bloodsport / Salaak: Tom Kenny
Persuader: Matthew Yang King
Notes: Continuity-wise, this PG-13 animated film is deemed a sequel to the Justice League/Justice League Unlimited TV series. Still, only Green Lantern John Stewart and Hawkgirl’s separate absences are explained – it is not referenced why the League is otherwise short-handed. Though the entire set of bonus features may not be included, this title is also available digitally and on DVD.
REVIEW:
Reuniting Susan Eisenberg, George Newbern, and the late Kevin Conroy in a homage sequel to Justice League/Justice League Unlimited has a world of potential. The voice cast, the faithful animation style, and familiar musical cues are worth the price of admission. In particular, the League’s brief viewing of Legion Headquarters (i.e., Batman’s take on seeing his Hall of Fame statue) and the epilogue sequence are absolutely spot-on.
Overall, the storyline is very good but its logic unnecessarily falters down the stretch.. For instances, plot holes are a major gaffe throughout the film’s climax.
SPOILER ALERT: for instance, the fate of Oa’s Central Power Battery is unresolved, once all its power has been stolen. Why would Jessica’ power ring (let alone any faraway Green Lantern’s ring) still work? Worst of all, no matter how poignantly the ‘ultimate sacrifice’ scene is played, it makes no scientific sense whatsoever. If anything, the screenwriters chose the wrong character.
Their Final Night-like concept would have worked, only had Jessica Cruz repaired the sun’s fractured damage instead of someone else. Specifically, if Oan emerald energy has shattered the sun, wouldn’t comic book logic then dictate that Jessica’s considerable willpower controlling such infinite energy be the sole means of repair? It would also far better explain Star Boy’s admiring deference to Jessica as the mythical ‘Limelight.’ Ultimately, the film’s obvious homage to a classic Legion comic book scenario falls short, given this plot’s circumstances.
The only other detriment stems to the inclusion of the film’s PG-13 elements – i.e. Star Boy’s nudity, occasional profanities, and far more dark (real world) violence than one might expect. Attempting to reach an older target audience, DC throws in adult-friendly material that would not have passed responsible TV censors for Justice League/Justice League Unlimited.
Could have DC have gone PG and still delivered the same story – as a faithful sequel to the Justice League animated series? Absolutely, yes. Hence, parents of young DC fans should recognize why the film is rated as such and not presume the film is simply more of the TV series.
For Justice League fans, this showdown vs. the Fatal Five scores points in most categories. The only rub is that Justice League vs. The Fatal Five had the potential to be even better, had it been more kid-friendly.
BONUS FEATURES:
Language and subtitle options are in English and French. The optional commentary track includes executive producer Bruce Timm, director Sam Liu, and two other creative team members: Eric Carrasco & Jim Krieg.
Along with an ad hyping Ultra HD, trailers are included for the live-action Aquaman and the animated Reign of the Supermen. There are previews for two DC animated films, Justice League Dark and Justice League vs. Teen Titans. A sneak peek at the animated Batman: Hush is also included.
Including members of the production’s creative team and guests, such as Dr. Andrea Letamendi, one featurette examining Jessica Cruz’s Green Lantern and Star Boy is entitled “Battling the Invisible Menace.” A second production featurette is entitled “Unity of Hero.”
Both bonus cartoons explore the Legion of Super-Heroes vs. the Fatal Five. Legion of Super-Heroes’ first episode, “Man of Tomorrow” (6 Stars), has the 30th Century Legion desperately recruiting a rookie Superboy’s help. The other is Justice League Unlimited’s “Far From Home” (8 Stars) in arguably Supergirl’s most pivotal animated appearance.
PACKAGING:
Possessing a standard casing, this Blu-Ray’s contents are accurately advertised.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
