Love animation and have really enjoyed to loved many superhero films, animated and live-action. Of the DC animated films, there are some good ones out there as well as some disappointments and ones that fall in between.
Although the very different portrayal of the Justice League characters will take a lot of getting used to, their personalities and back-stories changed beyond recognition for die-hard fans struggling with the concept, the alternate universe concept was a very interesting one and mostly the execution was very good, its best elements great. 'Justice League: Gods and Monsters' is one of those divisive films, purists are likely to not care for it but those who have been disappointed by general DC animated standards (which to me has been variable) they will be rewarded.
'Justice League: Gods and Monsters', like a good deal of DC animated films, could have been better with a longer length by about 10-15 minutes or so and the pace slowed down. The ending in particular felt rushed and didn't seem developed enough.
Having said that, 'Justice League: Gods and Monsters' has better story and characterisation execution than most DC animated films that needed to be longer and not as hasty. The story is one of the darkest and grittiest of any DC animated film and all the better for it because to me that's the right approach to take.
It's also very gripping, makes the most of its concept without being too simple or confusing and gives the characters interesting stories, especially Wonder Woman. The characters are intriguingly handled and with intense and potent character interaction, though there could have been more of a few of them (i.e. Lex Luthor). The action is violent and exciting, though perhaps there could have been more of it.
'Justice League: Gods and Monsters' is very good, often great. There are some very nice detailed backgrounds, the characters are designed well and the colours are dynamic and atmospheric. The music is both haunting and rousing, a good fit for the film's mood.
Writing is far from simplistic or childish and the voice acting is impressive, Michael C. Hall being brilliant while Benjamin Bratt is one of the better voices for Superman of the DC animated films and others show that with good material they can act (C. Thomas Howell).
Concluding, 'Justice League: Gods and Monsters' may not be quite godly but it is far from monstrous, closer to the former than the latter. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Justice League: Gods and Monsters
2015
Action / Adventure / Animation / Fantasy / Sci-Fi
Justice League: Gods and Monsters
2015
Action / Adventure / Animation / Fantasy / Sci-Fi
Plot summary
In an alternate universe, Superman is the son of Zod and was raised by a caring couple of Mexican immigrants living in harsh conditions, Batman is a young vampiric doctor, Kirk Langstrom, obsessed with an everlasting search for a cure for his disease and Wonder Woman is Bekka, the widowed queen of the world of Darkside. The three antiheroes unite and create the Justice League, despite wheelchair-bound Lex Luthor and others' protests. They operate often outside of the law and often kill the villains, but the US government tolerates them and works with them to an extent, since the three are willing to cooperate with the authorities and they never kill civilians. However, the all out paranoia and protests against their methods and untouchable position are growing. Things take a turn for the worse, when they are framed for a series of murders of famous scientists, who work for the government, and President Amanda Waller orders their arrest. They decide to violently resist arrest at all cost, until they can find the real culprits themselves.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
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Not quite godly, far from monstrous
THE LAST CHILD OF KRYPTON
This was different. The film re-introduces Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman in stories that are indeed alien to us. If you thought you knew their tales, think again. In this alternative Earth, these three form the Justice League. The world both loves and fears them as their war on terrorism lacks compassion and sensitivity. When it appears the world's top scientist are being killed off by the Justice League, they must defend themselves from the world while trying to save it by finding the real killer.
I found the story interestingly different and refreshing. Lex Luthor is in a chair looking like Captain Pike. Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen are also in this episode.
Very good, but not the Justice League you expect
Scientists are being murdered, and the Justice League is being framed for the killings. But this isn't the familiar Justice League: this Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman kill without regret in order to maintain "justice." Many of the DC Comics animated features use varied character designs, often based on the comics they are adapted from. This feature is happy to adopt the house style established in the Batman, Superman, Justice League, and Batman Beyond TV series. But that is where any similarities end: this is an "Elseworlds" movie, using much of the established mythos but twisting it (Superman is found and raised by Mexican immigrants, Batman is vampire Kirk Langstrom, Wonder Woman is Highfather's daughter Bekka, and so on).
This is a good movie - a story which moves along well, with good action, animation and voice work - but make no mistake, this is not one for the kids. This is not so much for the mild swearing, it's because it is frequently quite graphically violent.