I’m happy that Warner, through their Archive line, released “Young Justice”: Invasion as a companion to the first season. It’s a great show through and through with excellent action, engaging storylines and nice animation.
Batman: Assault on Arkham isn’t a bad entry into the DC Universe Animated line but the title is misleading with the title character has been relegated to supporting role status as the bulk of the story is centered on the members of the Suicide Squad as well as some on The Joker, though that’s hardly a bad thing.
JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time, unlike its DCU counterparts, is a big downgrade in quality especially with the story, but I get what the filmmakers were after: a tongue-in-cheek comedy adventure and throwback to the old cartoon series; however the humor is pretty basic and really only anyone under the age of 13 might get anything substantial out of it.
Although hardly the strongest in the long line of DC Universe Animated Movies, Son of Batman still has a few things going for it from the animation, save for a couple lousy shots, and an interesting story that probably could’ve been expanded to make it more dynamic. On the negative side, I’m still not in love with Jason O’Mara’s voice as Bruce Wayne/Batman but it’s not as grating this go around.
“Green Lantern”: The Complete Series was a blast to watch and I actually didn’t mind the changes to the character, based on what I read, or the animation style but it’s not for everyone. The stories are a lot of fun and I couldn’t wait for the next episode; it’s only a shame it got cancelled after only one season. The Blu-ray released through Warner Archive offers up solid video and audio transfers but it is unfortunate no bonus material was included.
“Beware the Batman”: Season One, Part One is an interesting entry into the series with some fun CGI animation, good voice performances and some innovative inventions in the Dark Knight’s arsenal to the point I hope can be integrated into the new franchise. Still, it’s not perfect and of course doesn’t come close to “The Animated Series”, but if you can look past the big changes, it’s an entertaining ride.
Justice League: War might not be the best of the DC Universal Animated Movie line and a step down from Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox and The Dark Knight Returns, but it is entertaining enough though the voice casting this go around isn’t the best, though we might be stuck with them given War is to be the first of connecting DCUA movies.
“Batman: The Brave and the Bold”: The Complete First Season is a fun show with witty dialogue and some genuine laughs. The good news of this Blu-ray release is fans finally can get all 26 episodes in one collection rather than the volume sets.
Man of Steel had the opportunity to be a lot better but as it stands, I actually found it enjoyable and kind of liked some of the changes Zack Snyder, David Goyer and, in small part, Christopher Nolan, made, but I can understand why others would be fervently against them.
Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics is a well made documentary featuring a wide array of participants chatting about the importance and substance behind the numerous villains in the DCU.
“Arrow”: The Complete First Season is off to a good start and I can’t wait to see what the second season brings between the drama and new characters to help expand the universe even further.
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox is another solid entry into the DC Universe Animated line. The movie have had quality voice talent to go along with a well paced and finely tuned adaptation work providing for provocative storytelling, unflinching violence that even Tim Burton would avoid and an all around entertaining experience that I only wish the future DC live action movies could live up to.
The “Robot Chicken: DC Comics Special” is just as funny as the show itself and for fan of DC Comics, it’s a hoot to watch. While not all the jokes land, the majority do and alongside some decent talent lending their voices, even if a few are unrecognizable (like Alfred Molina).
Lego Batman: The Movie – Super Heroes Unite has some good laughs and the stop-motion animation is well done, however if you’ve played the game, you’ve already seen the vast majority of the movie with only bits newly created to bridge the scenes together to make a coherent story.
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 is easily on par with Chris Nolan’s amazing live action movies with great action, some good drama with the aging Bruce Wayne and an epic fight sequence between Batman and Superman, including some nice little zingers they throw back and forth.