What’s It About
The Justice League must stop the Fatal Five as they terrorise the city of Metropolis. The group are trying to free the Emerald Empress and Validus, so they can continue their quest to find the emerging Green Lantern.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
As a critic who came of age with Bruce Timm’s distinctive animation style and the popular Justice League animated shows, sitting down with “Justice League vs. the Fatal Five” was a bit like reuniting with old friends and being struck by how much time has passed. This 2019 DC animated movie conscientiously honors its past while addressing contemporary issues in a surprisingly considerate manner. This 77-minute movie went straight to home video. It goes back to the well-loved format of the DC Animated Universe that many millennials grew up with. However, it is not just a trip down memory lane. Underneath its nostalgic look, it tackles heroism, mental illness, and diversity in a considered way, which are current issues of our time. The story is about the Justice League, which includes Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. They are fighting the Fatal Five, a group of supervillains from the 31st century. The villains have traveled back in time to kill a young woman named Jessica Cruz. Cruz is the new Green Lantern, and she is struggling because of anxiety and PTSD stemming from a horrific ordeal. Meanwhile, one of the heroes of the Legion of Superheroes, Star Boy, who is afflicted with a mental illness, becomes stranded in our time. His memory and stability deteriorate. The animation is meant to evoke the popular “Justice League Unlimited” show that concluded in 2006. The character designs, the colors, and the action sequences all have the signature Bruce Timm style. For fans who grew up watching this series of characters as kids, there is a lot of nostalgia and comfort in being able to view this visual style again. The voice actors are also a part of it. Kevin Conroy once again provides the voice of Batman, George Newbern as Superman, and Susan Eisenberg as Wonder Woman. Yet, what elevates “Justice League vs. the Fatal Five” beyond a nostalgic trip is that it deals with actual themes. Jessica Cruz’s struggle with anxiety and PTSD is portrayed very carefully for a superhero film. Her arc from being nearly paralyzed with fear to finding strength in connection is one of the most accurate representations of anxiety in recent superhero fare. Star Boy’s declining mental condition is not just a plot point; it is treated with empathy. The film shows that mental illness problems are very challenging, but it does not show the characters as nothing more than their problems. Jessica and Thomas are not “cured” at the end of the story but instead learn to be heroes in spite of their ongoing struggles with mental illness. As a Black critic, I liked the diversity of the film more than just using it to check a box. John Stewart, one of DC’s most well-known Black superheroes, has a major role as a Green Lantern mentor. His presence feels organic and not forced, and the film does not depend on old stereotypes. Mr. Terrific’s cameo also avoids being a stereotype. While the main cast is mostly white, the secondary cast is more diverse without making diversity the main theme. The fight scenes are the highlight of the movie. Director Sam Liu demonstrates that he is excellent at crafting superhero battles. He constructs thrilling battles that bring out what every character can do without getting convoluted or confusing. The battle scenes feel necessary without going overboard, and every battle contributes to the story rather than existing for the sake of it. There are valid criticisms to be considered. Running at 77 minutes, the story occasionally feels hurried, especially in introducing the Fatal Five as viable threats. Certain character particulars are left out, and some Justice League members are seen for mere moments. The villains seem reworked but not as thoroughly developed as our heroes. The film presumes some DC background, which might be off-putting to fans without it. Die-hard fans will enjoy references to earlier animated series and comics, but newcomers will feel out of the loop. Finding a balance between reverence for the past and being newcomer-friendly has never been easy for DC’s animation films. What impressed me the most was the way the film handles discussing heroism itself. In an era where superhero stories often have morally gray areas or deconstruct traditional notions, “Justice League vs. the Fatal Five” argues strongly in favor of traditional heroism but also admits that it can be complicated. The Justice League members are not perfect, but they strive to be something more than themselves. In Jessica Cruz and Star Boy, we discover that heroism is not a lack of fear but confronting fears and limitations with courage. The core message of the film is that anyone, no matter what they are from or what issues they have, can contribute positively to society. This definition of heroism feels timely and is brought out by the characters rather than what they say. Dynamic Music Partners’ score echoes the sounds of original themes in the classic older animated series, they were able to utilize new sounds that fit well into the present theme. The sound design worked well with the animation, adding nostalgia, but it was not dated. “Justice League vs. the Fatal Five” works because it understands what worked about the earlier tales—not just how they looked, but the focus on character-driven storytelling with respect for its audience. It shows that animation can talk about serious things without sacrificing the fun and tension that attract us to superhero tales. This film is not perfect, but it showcases some of the best of DC animation: it honors beloved characters, has deep themes, and has amazing action. To old fans, it reminds us of a loved universe. To new fans, it is an accessible way of knowing these characters. And to everyone, it reminds us that superhero stories can be both fun and meaningful. Amidst a saturated market of superhero tales, “Justice League vs. the Fatal Five” stands out because it honors its origins while also moving forward. It demonstrates that sometimes the optimal way to enhance a franchise is by recalling what made it wonderful in the first place.
OUR RATING – A 77-MINUTE 8
MEDIA
- Genre – Comic Book
- Street date
- Digital – March 30, 2019
- Blu-Ray/DVD – April 16, 2019
- Video – 1080p
- Screen size 1.78:1
- Sound – English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French: Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
- Subtitles – English SDH, French, Spanish
Extras
- Battling the Invisible Menace (Featurette)– This featurette will explore the nuanced hero as many characters must deal with the everyday feelings of anxiety, depression, and other incapacitating emotions that we all must battle and overcome.
- Justice League vs. Fatal Five: Unity of Hero (Featurette) – A look at how the pantheon of DC heroes has never been more diverse and inclusive, as writers and artists break boundaries and smash stereotypes.
- Audio Commentary – Bruce Timm, Sam Liu, Jim Krieg and Eric Carrasco share their thoughts and insights on Justice League vs. The Fatal Five.
- A Sneak Peek at the next DC Universe Movie, Batman: Hush – An advance look at the next animated film in the popular DC Universe Movies collection.
- Sneak Peek Revisited: A Preview of Justice League Dark – John Constantine leads a group of misfit characters that use magic to vanquish their opponents. This is the dark version of The Justice League taking on the malevolent forces that go beyond our plane of existence.
- Sneak Peek Revisited: A Preview of Justice League vs. Teen Titans – A glimpse into the characters known as the Teen Titans.
- From the DC Vault: Justice League Unlimited, “Far From Home”
- From the DC Vault: Legion of Superheroes, “Man of Tomorrow”