Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Justice League War: A Pre Release Review


I was lucky enough to view this movie before it goes on sale Feb 4th.
I don't plan on spoiling anything, but to give my general thoughts on this new Animated DC Movie.




Justice League: War will be released on February 4, 2014, and here’s the official blurb;.
“When the powerful Darkseid and his massive, relentless forces invade Earth, a group of previously unaligned super heroes – misunderstood and, in some cases, hunted by the authorities – discover the only way to fend off the attack will be to work together as a cohesive unit. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, Shazam and, in his origin story, Cyborg combine their respective talents in an all-out battle to save the planet. Based on the 2012 graphic novel, “Justice League: Origin,” by Geoff Johns & Jim Lee, Justice League: War provides a glance into the world before the Justice League was created, and offers the initial animated incarnation of DC Entertainment’s “The New 52.”

I have made it clear in the past I am a lover of most things DC related. This is true of this movie as well. It is set in a time period when the world is just finding out about superheros. The best way to  describe the feel  of it is to think of it as if the events of the movie Man Of Steel had just taken place, and the world has to deal with the ramifications that there are metahumans and aliens among us. Batman is a wanted by Gotham PD for being a vigilante, and Hal Jordan is disliked by the Air Force. People picket the White House against Wonder Woman. Things look bleak for those who would be our protectors. The only exception, that is not explained, is Flash works with STAR Labs.


It is Action packed form the start and does not drag on too much in the dialogue. The first thing that struck me was the witty banter from Green Lantern. From start to finish his dialogue steals the show. Batman is portrayed as Batman usually is grim, direct, and super intelligent. Wonder Woman is  a warrior princess that sticks out in our normal society, but is noble. For Cyborg this is an origins story. He is the star football player that is all about teamwork. When he is changed to be the hero that he becomes he finds out that he always was that hero. Captain Marvel, or as he is referred to Shazam is the alter ego of an orphan named Billy Batson. He is Childish in his behaviour, but that is expected from a kid. He replaces Aquaman, who was the hero in the comic version. This irked me a bit because Aquaman never gets any love. The last DC animated movie had him being the bad guy, but that was part of the plot to that one. That leaves us with Superman, who for what I can tell is not the boy scout that he was in the original concept of the character. He is a brute that is a force of nature. He and Wonder Woman seem to flirt with each other. It is all New 52 stretching into the relationship that they have in the Superman/Wonder Woman comics.

I'll leave you with some clips.




Looking past the Aquaman replacement this is a fun show. It is PG-13 there is not realy any blood, besides that of the alien variety. It has some language that is not appropriate for kids. My son will have to wait to see it. For DC trying their New 52 comics into their Animated Universe this is a good start. The end credits show a clip of what lies ahead for our heros. I was not disappointed. 


Do you plan on seeing this movie?
If so, what are your expectations?

29 comments:

  1. If we don't get a real JLA movie soon, I might have to watch this! Don't really watch cell animated shows or movies.

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  2. I often watch DC's animation. Their version of Frank Miller's THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS and YEAR ONE were excellent. If it stars BATMAN, I will watch it. I, of course, am going to watch WAR. I know he is too "old" for this version of Green Lantern, but I liked when Nathan Fillion did him in FLASHPOINT.

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  3. I'll probably watch this at some point since I read the comics on which it is based. I've watched a lot of these DC animated ones and for the most part they do a good job of sticking to the comics.

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  4. I hope the new Batman/Superman movie is a JLA in disguise.DC has done a great job on their animated shows so far.

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  5. Nathan is excellent as the Green Lantern.
    Justin Kirk form Weeds does the voice in this one.

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  6. I am used to The Flash doing the one liners, but it is Green Lantern who real kept me laughing in this one.

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  7. Using Shazam instead of Aquaman was a let down, but Sean Astin did a great job voicing Captain Marvel. Not once did I think he was a Hobbit!

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  8. Poor Aquaman! Always getting snubbed!

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  9. It might just be that he is that super friend that smells like fish!

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  10. I'd think they'd want to relish in the Aquaman love that the internet has created, not put him aside. And Captain Marvel and Superman on the same team? Crazy. Is there anyone they can't beat up? They're packing quite a wallop with those two, Wonder Woman & Green Lantern. Wow.

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  11. Darkside is pretty powerful, and some heros are slow learners with big egos.
    From what I understand DC has an animated Aquaman centered movie in the works.

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  12. It is sad that Aquaman gets no love. It sounds like a great movie!

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  13. It is entertaining like most of DC's Animated movies.

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  14. I assume they made the flip-flop because Aquaman really didn't add much to the original story, and Shazam was heavily featured...in the backup feature. If they make an animated movie out of the "Throne of Atlantis" arc, Aquaman will definitely be featured. Probably!

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  15. The next animated DC movie will be "Batman & Son".
    The big bad will be Deathstroke taking over the League of Assassins after the death of Ra's al Ghul. This introduces Damian who DC just killed off, so I have no clue why they are making it other than it is Batman.

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  16. That looks fun. Is Robin in this movie? I have a soft spot for the useless sidekick. His acting skills, while limited, are underrated, and he has a great name. Regardless, it'd be worth it to see Shazam in all his glory. I like him too.

    PS I keep finding myself unable to join this blog thru GFC. It appears unable to handle my request. Thank you for the follow, and I will try relentlessly until I succeed to join your flock.

    xoRobyn

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  17. I'm not a fan of Wonder Woman's new outfit... or is it an old outfit? ;) lol. But then, I'm a traditionalist. I see what you mean about Green Lantern's dialogue. Very cool.

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  18. My son would love this. Too bad he's only four. Ah well, the old cartoons on netflix still keep him happy. This one can wait till he's a little older.

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  19. Anyone that is a friend of Roland is a friend of mine!
    Unfortunately Robyn, Robin is not in the movie.
    Shazam forges a great relationship with Cyborg.
    I have no clue why GFC isn't working.It is telling me the same thing as I try to manage it.
    Thanks for visiting! My wife has told me that I should have been a woman, because of my love for Chocolate!

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  20. They have changed it several times. I have a fondness for Lynda Carter's.

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  21. Definitely not for kids. My son is 12 and my daughter is 7 they watch Justice League Unlimited. I have several DC movies that they can't watch.

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  22. Any friend of Roland AND chocolate is a friend of mine. Yes, it's rare that men are as fond of chocolate as women.
    Poor Robin - downgraded from sidekick to unemployment. Well, hopefully he'll get a better gig.
    I shall persist with attempting to join your clan until GFC decides my request is manageable. Blogger's going a little wacko these days. Maybe it'll settle down and behave itself soon.

    Happy Friday and weekend.

    xoRobyn

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  23. color me intrigued... yesterday i drove past the rebuilt kent farm house for the upcoming release superman vs batman. i would have stopped, but the electrician would have stopped me... my goal this time, is too sit on the steps and take my selfie...

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  24. Ha! i just red that Jesse Eisenberg has been set to star as Lex Luthor and Jeremy Irons will play Alfred

    http://www.superherohype.com/news/289643-jesse-eisenberg-and-jeremy-irons-cast-in-the-supermanbatman-film

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  25. sad, sad, sad day... this film is clucking before it's made... they need to stop and look at why "the avengers" worked. stop trying to pull actors that have good face time, but actual fitting the part they might be playing.

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  26. Looks great! Nice animation! Classic but sleek.

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  27. I do love me The Flash and Green Lantern a lot!

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