Official Synopsis
Employing methods of intimidation and fear, this Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman deal brute force in the name of justice. In this alternate universe, Superman was not raised by the Kents in Smallville, the Caped Crusader is not Bruce Wayne, and Wonder Woman is not an Amazon warrior of Themyscira. When a group of famed scientists experience untimely “accidents,” a government task force follows the trail of clues to the Justice League, but is there a more powerful player operating from the shadows? It’s a high stakes game of intrigue, mystery and action that asks the question: How do you serve justice to those above the law?
Before I begin the breakdown, let me just warn parents out there that this is a PG-13 movie. This means you get language and plenty of bloodshed in the story. This movie was built for a teenage and above demographic, so make sure you know that before you pick it up for little Jimmy/Jane who is the age 9.
In short, this isn’t your typical cartoon, and that is just fine.
Alright, let’s get this going, folks.
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The first act begins with the short origin of Superman, which seems typical at the start. Superman’s parents fight off Zod just in time to see their only son launched safely towards earth as Krypton’s unstable core erupts into a gigantic explosion. Superman lands somewhere in the southwest, far away from Kansas, and his origin immediately begins to change (there is no Martha and Jonathan). After the origin finishes, we’re thrown into a huge fight that quickly, and eloquently introduces all the major players, which are all very different from what we know them as being. Superman is no longer tights/cape or clean shaven. Batman sports actual fangs and is a bloodsucker. Wonder Woman brings a sword swinging amount of fury to the bunch, with no rope in sight. All have no rules about killing, only getting the jobs they are assigned done quickly. In short, this Justice League is an entirely different ballgame.
Back at home, the gang introduces their individual storylines, mostly tragic (a ‘red wedding’ for Wonder Woman). As the super heroes contemplate a possible, eventual clash with the good citizens of their city, and earth, the main plot point is brewing in the background. Robots begin to crop up at government officials and scientist homes/work, dispatching them brutally and systematically. For every official killed, there is some evidence dropped that the Justice League might be behind the murders.
I loved the brutality of the first act. It sets the tone for the rest of the story, casting a dark shadow of tragedy and uncertainty over the entire film. It also helps that we see the heroes sport an ‘anything goes’ attitude, which only darkens the ambiance and atmosphere of the story, leaving them open for the possibility of blame. I will say that despite the cool, quick and fearless storyline, the lack of good dialogue is absent. It’s a bad theme that carries through the entire film. I wish there was a bit more exposition, maybe even a bit more shaping of the characters and less Tim Burton-esque grimness to the world. Granted, I understand that it’s important to gain and ground the story and personality at the beginning, but there is still some room for good bits of dialogue. The dialogue that you get is fun and endearing, but honestly there needed to be a bit more.
Anyway, as act two starts, the real crux of the story starts to shine. Someone within or near the Justice League is controlling all the robots. A sense of distrust and descent is felt within the group and on the outside. Even as the group is still holding things together, trying to figure out who the perpetrator is behind the crimes that seem to be unstoppable, the outside world is pointing blame towards the heroes. The last straw in act two, after Batman’s own failed attempt at stopping the murder of a loved one by the hands of the robots, is when Lex Luthor’s spacecraft is blown to hell, as is Luthor. By the end of act two, the Justice League is lost within their own tragedies and they have the citizens of Metropolis ready to beat down their doors.
Act two is an intense ride in this story. It really turns things to eleven and doesn’t hold back the blood or the blame. What’s great about act two is that the end sets up a complicated crossroads for the heroes. Do they continue to try to stop the robots, thus uncovering the sinister plot underneath it all? Or do they simply make sure that the folks of earth understand who is in charge and who is not? It’s a great conundrum, one that is setup early on in the film and one that rears its head by the end of act two. Again, very intense.
As act three begins, all is revealed. We find out who is behind the entire thing and act three crescendos into one gigantic fight. I won’t say much more because I don’t want to give it away, but the payoff is worth working through the lack of dialogue. The predictability of this ending is low, so you’re more than likely going to enjoy the final turn in this one-ride race.
Overall, Justice League: Gods and Monsters branches out there with a new perspective. It doesn’t hold back on the brutality of an alternate universe these characters live and survive in. It brings a new, violent and adult-like view to a story that isn’t typical of the DC cartoon world. It isn’t quite up to par in that department with The Dark Knight Returns, but it runs a close second. Dark, gritty, entertaining and worth a shot, if you’re wanting a change to your usual Justice League experience.
On the Blu-ray side of things, the animation is gorgeous. Of course, the way Warner Home Video transfers things these days that’s not unexpected. There aren’t any flaws with the transfer, no problems with the fluid animation and it looks like what an HD experience should look like. Yet another feather in the HD cap of Warner Home Video.
In terms of special features, here’s what you’re getting:
– Sneak Peek at Batman: Bad Blood
– Alternate Realities
– Calculated Risks: The Making of Gods and Monsters
– The New Gods
– DC Vault: Legion of Super Heroes “Phantoms” / Superman: The Animated Series “Brave New Metropolis”
– Trailers
I wish more cartoons of this nature had quality special features like this. This is an impressive bunch, as you get to know a bit more about the characters, the production process and a few goodies along the way. It’s a good bit of features for a movie release like this. Bravo, DC and WHV.