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Copyright © 2009 Flaming Dog Media, LLC. All rights reserved. |
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Not Much Crisis Here... but It's Still the JLA! |
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February
22, 2010 by Jason P. Hunt OK, first let me preface this review with an admission: I never read JLA: Earth 2 by Grant Morrison (1999) or the earlier Gardner Fox Justice League #29-30 (1964). In the case of the former, I was already out of my comics buying phase, and in the case of the latter I hadn't been born yet. Second, at the end of this review, I'll talk about the Spectre short on the Blu-Ray. So, having said that, I had high expectations for Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths. The idea of multiple Earths existing so long after the Crisis on Infinite Earths (in which they were all destroyed, until they weren't anymore... my head is starting to hurt) appealed to my inner geek. I love seeing alternate versions of our favorite characters. It's that whole "Road Not Taken" aspect that makes these stories attractive.
Add to that the casting of James Woods as Owlman, and it's almost a guarantee that it will do well. And I'm sure it will. It basically sticks to the previous versions of the story: a "good" version of Lex Luthor crosses over into the JLA's dimension and appeals for help in defeating the Crime Syndicate - led by Ultraman and Owlman. Now, I need to insert in here that I was originally a bit stymied by the difference in casting the alternate versions. Aren't these guys just parallel characters? That certainly seemed to be the case when these guys showed up on "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" earlier this year. Not so. Some reading in the DC Encyclopedia set me straight, and then it made more sense. I'll let you do a little homework. (freebie: Superwoman is Lois Lane...) This is clearly Owlman's show, and by extension Batman's, even though the Dark Knight doesn't have as much screen time. His presence hangs in the background, because he's the only one who objects to the JLA's crossing over to the other Earth. Turns out his instincts are spot on, and he has his chance to say "I told you so", even though he doesn't.
And James Woods gives a pitch-perfect reading of the character. He's menacing the way all quiet villains are. You know he's evil just by the way he talks. And Gina Torres is his perfect foil as Superwoman. Their scenes are great bits of character. Dwayne McDuffie does a good job balancing action sequences and character bits throughout the whole story. The hints of romance for J'onn give one hope that he'll find someone in this dimension. (His sardonic "She'll probably be evil." about a possible alternate-Rose is a nice touch.) Direction by Sam Liu (Superman/Batman: Public Enemies) and Lauren Montgomery (Green Lantern: First Flight) was good enough not to be noticed. No glaring errors or flaws in the story logic. What disappointed me was the scale of the story. It felt a bit too small, almost like a two-part episode of the "Justice League" and "Justice League Unlimited" animated series, which this story was originally supposed to bridge. It just felt like they didn't take it far enough, especially in the final confrontation between Owlman and Batman.
And while we're on the subject of Batman, William Baldwin was a poor choice in casting, as was Mark Harmon for Superman. While I'm a fan of "NCIS", I just don't think Harmon has enough depth for the Kryptonian. Tim Daly and George Newbern are both a little high-pitched for my taste already, but they at least brought range to the read. Harmon doesn't seem to be 100%. I'll blame Andrea Romano for that. Maybe she's been so close to the material for so long that she's casting about for different voices just to have different voices. Tim Daly and Kevin Conroy were both brought back for Public Enemies. Why not this one, too? Even Kyle MacLachlin did a better Superman, in my opinion. Having said that, it's still a fun ride. A bit predictable in its ending, but every JLA story has to end that way, doesn't it? I was pleased to see the Jason Rusch Firestorm, especially after we got a glimpse of him in "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" (trend?). Plus, the inclusion of Aquaman, Red Tornado and Black Canary gave it a good "bridge" feel between the two JLA series. Also on the Blu-Ray: the first DC Showcase short animated film starring the Spectre. Let me say first that this is not something you watch with your younger kids. It's very much a PG-13 story, as the Spectre does what he does best - inflict vengeance on the unjust. Gary Cole and Alyssa Milano star, and they give great performances in what is essentially a period piece. It feels like anime channeling the cop shows of the early 70s. Great animation, wonderful color palette. Besides that, the Blu-Ray includes the pilot episodes of the live action "Aquaman" starring Justin Hartley (before he was Green Arrow), and the Lynda Carter "Wonder Woman"; plus two 2-part episodes of the "Justice League" animated series and previews of the other animated movies. Batman: Under the Red Hood is next, and it looks to be darker and more grown-up than anything Warner Premiere has put out yet. My eight-year-old has already decided he doesn't want to watch it. Smart kid. All in all, it's time well spent, especially with all the extras. And it's good enough that I'll sit through it again a few times (even though I can't get past a Baldwin as Batman...)
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Now available on DVD/Blu-Ray Visit the official site. Click here. STARRING written
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