What’s it About?
The world’s finest heroes found the Justice League in order to stop an alien invasion of Earth.
Directed by Jay Oliva
“Justice League: War “
8 out of 10
By Vic
Ok, I’m going to get this out of the way, right out of the gate, “Justice League: War” was a pure fanboy adrenaline rush. From start to finish. It’s a geek-gasm that lasted the entire run of the movie. Am I biased as a comic book fan? Yeah, probably. Is the film perfect? Um, maybe not but I’d be hard pressed to come across anyone who likes their animated hero films fast and furious, to dislike this entry. At least not for very long.
Those looking for a wealth of exposition and back story on every JL hero in this re-telling, will be a tad disappointed. Honestly, the movie is called “War” not “War Story.” The film starts with the proverbial bang and ends with one and for 79 minutes the movie does not let up one iota.
“Man of Steel” storyboard artist Jay Oliva (Batman: Under The Red Hood, TDKR Parts 1 and 2, All Star Superman) capably steps in to direct this latest DC Animated film. Oliva, who brought us the previous JL adventure, “The Flashpoint Paradox,” continues his streak in delivering a solid comic book flick with a good eye for detail and his characters.
“War” is based on the reboot JL issues from DC, known as The New 52, written by DC Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns (The Flash) and drawn by the iconic artist Jim Lee (Superman for Tomorrow, Batman: Hush). Having read the issues, which I found entertaining but flawed, I had pretty high hopes for any adaptation that may have come down the pipe. Heath Corson (Aim High) stepped in to write the film and does a commendable job at keeping the essence and spirit of these beloved heroes true.
“War” begins simply enough with the Green Lantern and Batman duking it out. Not after GL expresses surprise at Batman for actually being “real.” Corson’s writing includes plenty of witty, hip and smart banter that comes across fresh and contemporary. It seems that everyone’s favorite DC bad guy, Darkseid (Voiced by Steve Blum) has been leaving alien tech boxes around different parts of the world and even in Gotham.
Batman, on the trail of a “Parademon,” runs afoul of GL, and after they stop fighting each other, they eventually figure out there may be an imminent invasion of Earth by superior foes with superior firepower. The tech and Parademon are sent to Star Labs to be looked into by Silas Stone, father of college football player, Victor Stone. Victor, who after a freak accident with the alien hardware, is turned into Cyborg, with the help of Silas and his team along with some untested tech.
Oliva’s film explores, much like the comics do, the different divergent story-lines that introduce us to the heroes. Wonder Woman in Washington, acting as a political envoy (there is an exchange with a small girl involving ice cream that is quite cute) on her way to see the President. With her is Steve Trevor. At Central City, Barry Allen aka The Flash, is a CSI tech in touch with Silas trying to get to the bottom of the alien tech. In a funny and light moment, Barry has his lunch stolen by his co-workers.
Vic Stone, playing a rough game of Football, without his father present, meets a strange but spunky kid (who has a bigger part to play) who sneaks his way into the game. All of these parallel sequences help to establish the canon and history with respect and reverence for the characters. All in all they are pretty cool and fun to watch.
GL and Batman make it to Metropolis to find out how Superman fits into all of this and (after a huge fight between Supes, GL and Batman) when Darkseid eventually makes an appearance then the film takes off as all of the heroes must put aside their differences and get to know and trust each other in order to defeat Darkseid and his Parademons. Oliva’s “War” is brutally violent and full of the best kind of animated comic book action. There are exciting clashes, one after the other. Cyborg’s origin is savage and engaging. The Air Force One attack by the Parademons is truly breathtaking and merciless. The movie continues like that and never lets up. Wonder Woman and The Flash join Superman, Batman and GL to stave off the terra-forming that Darkseid is attempting. As a added bonus we get Shazam in the mix. Yes, you heard right. Shazam!
“War” excels in the animation and character designs as well. Favoring huge, muscular and bulky anatomy for the male heroes and wonderful curvatures for Wonder Woman, the heroes all look very impressive. The animation sports a nice anime flavor in certain action sequences and the flow of the background layouts with the moving animation is both absorbing and eloquent.
The remarkable mech and tech designs of Cyborg, the Parademons, Apokolips and even the various labs, weapons and equipment are all on great display here. When we do have time to catch our breaths and marvel at the animation, it is very well done and precise. My only gripe would be that the neck muscles on some of the heroes are a tad too huge and some faces just too freakishly broad, but I am nitpicking.
I enjoyed the heck out of “JL: War.” It has humor, action, epic fights and battles. The doses of casual swearing and animated violence are amazing and the film just flies by at a meager 79 minutes. There are enough superhero quips, one liners and “battle talk” for 3 other animated movies. Each hero has a “moment” where we cheer them on and when we do, we feel like a kid all over again.
I’m glad these recent DC Animated movies are in good hands and that they are being done with care and respect. Oh, and I must give kudos to the voice over cast. They all shine, here and I was impressed by how well the dialog flowed between characters. Oliva, Corson and cast all do remarkable work in this DC movie and I hope they keep up the great work. Recommended!
Voice Cast
- Sean Astin as Shazam
- Zach Callison as Billy Batson
- Christopher Gorham as Flash / Barry Allen
- Justin Kirk as Green Lantern / Hal Jordan
- Michelle Monaghan as Wonder Woman
- Shemar Moore as Cyborg / Victor Stone
- Jason O’Mara as Batman
- Alan Tudyk as Superman
- Steven Blum as Darkseid
VIC'S MOVIE DEN 
I really enjoyed this film. Nerded the f out, Hal seemed a little bit of a joke but overall it was really entertaining 😀
“Chains? Your funny”
Hal was beat up a bit (he did have most of the funny one liners) but he came into his own. I liked all of his banter with The Flash and Batman. I love when he shouted out: “Kick his ASS!” to Superman. Funny as hell.
I also nerded out, too, lol. I’m glad you enjoyed the movie! Thanks for stopping by, Tim. Always appreciated, man! 🙂
Wow, great review Vic, this sounds awesome! Will look forward to seeing this.
You are going to really enjoy it, Paul! Action from start to finish. Really enjoyable. I’m also going to watch JLA Adventures this weekend. Bubbawheat had recommended it.
I’m reading Batman Superman issue 7 right now. I like Brett Booth’s art work on this title. I need to get the previous issues. Hope you enjoy “War!”
Thanks for stopping by, Paul. Always appreciated, buddy!
Great review Vic! I was fortunate to read this story arc first so I’m glad I get experience it from a new perspective. I love the DC animated movies. I think they do that better than Marvel actually!
I totally agree, Eric. I think that DC is doing much better work these days with their animated films. I think it’s partly because DC is willing to take risks and the material is mature and smart where as Marvel continually targets a much younger demo.
I’ve only watched one or two eps of The Ultimate Spider-man and the Hulk Agents of Smash. Ugh. I just could not tolerate it. Also, that last Iron Man and Hulk team up was kind of lame. But I still have yet to watch the new “Avengers” show. Not sure if it’s any good.
It’s DC all the way for me (for now anyways). Glad you liked the review! Thanks for stopping in and thanks for the re-blog. Always appreciated, Eric!
Perfect points. My fiancée loves Ultimate Spider-Man. I asked her why? Lol. But I wish that all comic book movies took time to adapt particular stories and arc. Not everything has to be a 5-6 movie franchise before needing rebooting. Imagine if we had a live-action Dark Knight Returns?
Exactly! Hollywood is franchise crazy because they want to repeatedly cash in on the same big names and big directors. Personally, I felt it was too soon for a Spidey reboot. I mean, we know the origin. Why not adapt a popular story arc and throw it up on the big screen?
The comics are full (DC included) with so many great stories that could be told. So, back to your point, The Dark Knight Returns would have been epic as a live action flick or even Batman: Hush or even All Star Superman or Superman: Last Son of Krypton. I could go on and on.
All good points, Eric. Have you caught the new Avengers animated show? I have yet to watch. Don’t know if it’s worth my time. Oh and also, my kid likes that Spidey show, too, lol.
I saw the first 5 episodes of it. It wasn’t bad. I just never went back to it. So I guess it didn’t really do anything for me. I know families are the bigger market but interesting enough, families aren’t really the comic book buyers that has become more of an adult market in a way. I think the last good animated Marvel series was the Spider-Man on MTV.
Yes!!! It’s on Netflix currently, I believe. I have the dvd’s somewhere but I mis-placed one of the discs. I absolutely loved that series and it was a shame they couldn’t keep it afloat.
It really ruled and the VO work by N P Harris and the rest of the cast was very well done. It was hip and smart, too.
I’ll check out the Avengers and see if I like it enough to re-visit. Thanks!
Reblogged this on deaconsden and commented:
From Vic’s Movie Den I’ve been looking forward to this. The first adaptation of The New 52
Killer review! Thanks to you, I’ll add this to my queue…
Awesome! It kicks ass, Bill. I think you’ll dig it. Lots of stuff getting obliterated and plenty of destruction and superhero fisticuffs, lol.
I’m glad you liked the review, man! Thanks for stopping in. Have a great weekend!
Fantastic review, Vic! You’ve succeeded in making even more excited to check this out for myself. I’m always a sucker for year DC animated flicks though, so I doubt I’ll be disappointed. 🙂
Thanks William! I think you ‘ll have a blast with this one. It’s a very action packed story full of wit and humor. Every hero has their fair share of screen time and it does not disappoint.
If you’ve read The New 52 books it’s based on then you’ll be even more satisfied with “War.” I hope you like it, man! Enjoy and thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Great review, Vic! I’m really looking forward to this now. DC’s animated movies usually deliver but I have been a little disappointed by a few so I can’t say they are all can’t miss for me. I’m also more of a Marvel guy so… nuff said.
I’m glad you liked the review! I think you will like “War.” I’m more of a Marvel guy myself, too, but the DC animated films have been upstaging most of Marvel’s animated entries.
Actually, I’m watching Avengers Assemble, now, with my kid, for the first time. Not too shabby. It’s light but enjoyable.
Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate it!
[…] “I’m glad these recent DC Animated movies are in good hands and that they are being done with care and respect. Oh, and I must give kudos to the voice cast. They all shine here and I was impressed by how well the dialog flowed between the characters. Oliva, Corson and cast all do remarkable work in this DC movie and I hope they keep up the great work. Recommended!” Vic’s Movie Den. Full Review […]