Justice
League: Gods and Monsters
(2015/DC Comics/Warner Blu-ray w/DVD)
Picture:
B+/B Sound: B+/B Extras: B Film: B+
Bruce
Timm returns to treat fans to one of the best DC animated adventures
in years. Not only delivered in an animation style reminiscent of
the other beloved series such as Justice
League Unlimited and
Batman:
The Animated Series;
instead of the more stylized adaptations of classic characters in
more recent years, but concurrently supplies a brilliant narrative.
It
would be all too easy to spoil the storyline of Justice
League: Gods and Monsters
(2015), so allow me to tiptoe around the plot with the basic premise.
Instead of pitting two parallel universes against each other as has
been done countless times already, in this tale we have a completely
new notion of what it means to be a hero; without the convolutions
and crutches of hanging onto established mythos. In Justice
League: Gods and Monsters,
we have a completely new, fresh perspective on the Justice League as
Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman are unrecognizable and use methods
of fear, intimidation, and brute force to protect their world. This
alternate universe blurs the line between hero and villain, as the
trio's unchecked power has viewers questioning the best path to
justice is.
As
a brief synopsis, again are 'heroes' are drastically changed from
their traditional embodiments. Superman man is no longer Kal El last
son of Krypton, instead reimagined as a sample of Zod's DNA
(generated into a child) sent to earth moments before the destruction
of Krypton. This child found and rose by migrant workers in a life
without privilege; growing up to be Hernan Guerra a short tempered,
distraught individual. Batman is no longer the tormented billionaire
Bruce Wayne, instead a scientist (Kirk Langstrom) whose experiments
(to cure cancer) led to a life of vampirism feeding on criminals,
while retaining himself with synthetic plasma. Wonder Woman is
probably the closest to her formal self, now Bekka the Goddess and
widow to Darkseid's son Orion; hailing from New Genesis. This trio
of powerful misfits form The Justice League and become the central
focus of authorities when a series of accidents involving high
profile scientists lead to The Tower of Justice.
Whereas
there are classic elements of ''how much power is too much power''
here in Justice
League: Gods and Monsters,
it is presented in such a fresh and interesting manner it is like any
DC adventure before it.
The
technical presentation is not perfect, but VERY well done. The
picture is a 1080p, 1.78 X 1 Widescreen that boasts of brilliant
colors, inky blacks, and no distortion. Fans of Bruce Timm and his
previous works will appreciate the classic look of this feature;
abandoning the softer, over stylized animation of recent DC releases.
There are the occasional moments of aliasing and macro blocking, but
are few, all a step above the still decent anamorphically enhanced
DVD included. The Blu-ray sound is a lossless DTS-HD MA (Master
Audio) 5.1 mix which remains crisp, clean, and clear throughout;
making good use of the surrounds. The entire presentation is a
balanced, dynamic track, even in the lossy Dolby Digital versions in
this set in lesser form.
The
DVD and Digital Copy of the film are mere downgrades of the nicely
presented Blu-ray.
Extras
include:
Sneak
Peek at DC Universe's Next Animated Movie
Alternate
Realities: Infinite Possibilities featurette
Calculated
Risks: The Making of Gods and Monsters featurette
The
New Gods (vintage) featurette
From
the DC Comics Vault (2 bonus cartoons)
-
Michael P. Dougherty II
