Just when you thought DC had closed the door on any event before 52, Warner Bros comes out with Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox. Based on the last graphic novel before the events of 52 called Flashpoint, I have no idea why they gave this movie such a long name. The Justice League is not even in it for that long.Name aside, this feature length animated film is the best offering we have seen in a long while. I believe the DC animation team might actually have a good thing going now that they are dropping quarterly movie projects.
The story stars Barry Allen, The Flash, as he wakes up to find his powers gone and his mother still alive. Aware that reality has shifted, Barry discovers there is no Justice League and Wonder Woman and Aquaman are going to war against each other. Probably the worst change is now Batman has a stubble and is not afraid to murder people. Stuck in this new paradox, The Flash needs to find out how to bring his reality back and keep Aquaman and Wonder Woman from destroying the new reality.
The voice acting is the real charm of the project, as DC has invited Justin Chambers to play The Flash and Kevin McKidd to play Batman (other reality). You will also recognize Kevin Conroy and Nathan Fillion in much smaller roles as Batman and Green Lantern. Some voices you might not recognize, Cary Elwes as Aquaman and Thomas C. Howell as Professor Zoom.
An assortment of flashbacks, creative segways into Flashpoint history and focus on Barry Allen's relationship with Batman (other reality) keeps the story interesting and gripping. It all gets wrapped up in an apocalyptic battle where everything runs into chaos. The size of the story and what is at stake is what keeps it from going stale or too translucent.
On the other hand, the art style and direction takes some pretty bizarre twists and turns. Aquaman and Superman have tree stumps for necks. Batman's face looks like it is a project on minimalism and Wonder Woman looks like she walked out of an 80's anime. Andy Kubert is the big illustrator on this project and it seems like I will never get used to his weird anatomical decisions.
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| Why the long face, everybody? |
Fortunately, the horse faces and tree stump neck people do not take away from the story and its grip on the viewer. This is one of the few times that Geoff Johns' writing vision has been displayed in its full potential. I noticed that the stories are a lot more grittier and violent in this offering. This uncensored (though still PG-13) presentation of the graphic novel actually works to the advantage of DC. They operate better when they try to win over an older audience. But it is not too gross and explicit that you walk away with a bad taste in your mouth.
All in all, I think this is a good exercise in representing DC's finer works and even improving on the graphic novels that did not do so well.
Rating: Buy It 3/5
+ Great story
+ Great voice acting
- Some disturbing human models
