Despite some character flaws, DC and gang should take note of what makes this particular property entertaining.
It's directed by Jay Oliva, based off a graphic novel written by Geoff Johns. The voice talent includes Sean Astin (Shazam), Christopher Gorham (The Flash), Justin Kirk (Green Lantern), Michelle Monaghan (Wonder Woman), Shemar Moore (Cyborg), Jason O'Mara (Batman), Alan Tudyk (Superman) and Steve Blum as Darkseid.
In this animated feature they take the stance that most of the heroes don't really know each other and the public is not happy with heroes. They are meeting each other in one way or another for the first time, as deeds are forcing their hands and they come together.
The voices don't quite match up to the characters that I've become used to over the years in the animated features, but that's just an observation, not a complaint.
We meet Green Lantern, who meets Batman. We see Wonder Woman and watch as GL and Batman track down Superman. We watch Cyborg get created by events that are taking place in this feature.
Of course it's not a group film unless, except for some stupid reason, everyone has to fight when they first meet. We even get the classic Batman v Superman moment, but in the animated feature, Batman is seriously outclassed and it only takes a couple of minutes to see that. (Man, that would have made Snyder's flick pretty short.)
The characterization of Wonder Woman borders on the ridiculous. She's quick to anger, she points at every one and everything with her sword. Shazam, aka the hero previously know as Captain Marvel, acts more like a doofy kid and various other differences in this animated flick.
We even get a super quick origin of Batman, yet one more time, because, you know, we haven't quite seen it enough yet.
But once the alien invasion of Earth begins, everyone gets on board with the action and pulls together to defend humanity. Defend it from Darkseid.
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There's not a ton of real story, just characters meeting for the first time, then facing off against Darkseid (pronounced Dark Side) and his army of minions. No, not the cute funny ones. Big, evil ugly ones.
The fun bit of the story is Green Lantern and Batman's relationship.
The skirmish itself is pretty fun to follow where it exemplifies what happens when team work kicks in.
The first half of the flick drags down my idea of what to score it, but as the skirmish got going and the end started to show some fun little banter, I got past the opening doldrums. It was a fun moment in time.
Cinema Static: 7/10
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