Justice League: Gods and Monsters is the third of the three DC
direct-to-video animated features scheduled for 2015. On the other hand, the number of Marvel
direct-to-video animated features released this year is… zip! Seriously, I grow more disappointed with each
DC animated movie being released without any Marvel response. I understand that Marvel is already making
serious money in the big screen that they can consider the direct-to-video market
close to irrelevant, and they don’t need to compete with DC here. But as a fan, I really, really wish Marvel would imitate DC in annually producing three or more animated movies a year. Maybe they can continue exploring the worlds
of their epic short-live animated TV series Spectacular
Spider-Man and Avengers: Earth
Mightiest Heroes through a couple of animated features. Heck, Marvel can even create a shared
universe for their animated movies.
Sorry, I got off topic. Just needed to express that. Anyway, back to Justice League: Gods and Monsters…
The movie is basically an
“Elseworld” tale. It is set in an
alternate universe in which Amanda Waller is President of the United States; Lex
Luthor is a super-scientist confined to a high-tech, levitating “wheel chair”
(that will remind you of Prof. X); Superman is named Hernan Guerra, the son of
General Zod instead of Jor-el, and was found and raised by a Mexican immigrant
couple instead of the Kents; Batman is a vampire scientist named Kirk Langstrom
(in the regular DC universe, Langstrom is the Batman villain Man-Bat); Wonder
Woman is named Bekka, a New God outcast and the widow of Orion; and unique
takes on some familiar DC scientists. This
universe’s version of the DC Trinity – Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman – forms
this universe’s the Justice League. They
work closely with the US government, and do “fight evil and save the world”
stuff, but their methods closely resembles that of The Elite (Read Action Comics’ “What’s So Funny About
Truth, Justice & the American Way?” storyline or watch the DCAOU movie Superman vs. the Elite) rather than that
of traditional Justice League. They are
violent, ruthless, and have no qualms on going for the overkill. They even muse about taking over the world
someday in order to better protect it.
Hence, it’s no surprise that a good part of the public and media fears
and hates them.
A mystery engulfs most of the
central plot of the movie. Shapeshifting killer robots are assassinating several important scientists
and making it appear that these were done by the Justice League. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman have to
figure out what is the connection between the targeted scientists, why they are
being framed for the murders, and who is the real mastermind behind them;
as well as reflect if there’s a need to change their methods.
Coming into this movie, I admit
that I was prepared to hate it. The
trailers for it never appealed to me, and I was never sold on the premise. I thought that the legendary Bruce Timm –
creator of the awesome and beloved DC “Timmverse” – was making a mistake for
making this kind of film. But, watching
it finally, I found it surprisingly terrific.
In fact, among all of DC’s animated movies this year – this and JL: Throne of Atlantis and Batman vs. Robin – this is what I like
the most. Its utter Elseworld-ness abundantly
adds intrigued and charm, not only to its world-building, but to its overall
storytelling. The plot isn’t flawless,
but it’s nearly so, and it’s generally well-told and well-written. Its Justice League roster, though small in
size, has great dynamic. The voice
acting is compelling. And I love the
fact that the very appealing “Timmverse”-style of animation was used.
I’m happy that I was proven wrong
for doubting Bruce Timm. Justice League: Gods and Monsters proves
to be another engaging and entertaining DC animated movie. I love its world, characters, and premise,
and I want to see more of them. So I’m
happy that a ten-episode season 2 of Justice
League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles is set for 2016 (the first season,
consisting of three very short episodes, was released earlier this year in Machinima’s
Youtube channel to promote the movie).
But I want more than that. I’m
hoping for movie sequels or a web TV series.
Frankly, I prefer seeing more of Bruce Timm’s Gods and Monsters universe being explored in future projects (this
or a series of Injustice: Gods Among Us
animated films) than having the continuation of the New 52-style Justice League series of films.
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