DC Comics’ new animated movie, “Justice League: Warworld” takes us back to the Tomorrowverse, a familiar setting that fans of “Superman: Man of Tomorrow” and “Legion of Super-Heroes”.
This time, the film embraces an “R” rating, which becomes apparent right from the beginning when Wonder Woman unleashes her fierce combat skills, complete with bloody headshots against unsuspecting cowboys.
The movie opens with Wonder Woman finding herself in the Old West, facing off against the legendary Jonah Hex and his men. This unexpected clash sets the tone for the thrilling adventure that lies ahead.
Meanwhile, on Skartaris, a desert world reminiscent of a Dungeons and Dragons campaign, we encounter an unmasked Bruce Wayne, who, as a mercenary, becomes entangled in a war between the enigmatic wizard Deimos and the powerful Warlord.
As the narrative unfolds, we are introduced to Agent Faraday and Agent Kent, who are on a mission to track down an alien in Grover’s Mill. Each segment of the movie offers a unique story, with Wonder Woman’s solo mission paving the way for her eventual involvement in the overarching plot.
What sets this film apart is its creative use of a shifting color palette, transitioning from black and white to color, as the characters stumble upon a mind-bending truth. This visual technique effectively conveys the eerie atmosphere and signals that there is more to the story than meets the eye.
Without delving into spoilers, I can say that the film incorporates a blend of familiar characters, including the Martian Manhunter, and introduces a formidable new villain named Mongul, accompanied by his henchman Lobo.
While the three segments that make up “Justice League: Warworld” deliver decent and entertaining stories, they don’t offer anything groundbreaking or exceptional. However, the third segment’s black-and-white, 1950s-inspired animation evokes the Red Scare era, giving the film a timely and relevant undertone.
One aspect that the movie struggles with is its pacing and exposition. With the majority of the running time dedicated to the segmented stories, there is little room to fully explore the intricacies of Warworld and Mongul’s scheme.
While it is understandable that “Justice League: Warworld” is a comic book movie targeting both younger and older audiences, it could have benefitted from providing more detail and depth, especially for mature viewers.
Fortunately, the voice actors chosen for this production elevate the film significantly. Their performances add weight and emotional depth to the characters, enhancing the overall experience.
However, it is a missed opportunity that the writers didn’t provide them with more substantial material to work with. Consequently, while “Justice League: Warworld” is an enjoyable watch, it fails to leave a lasting impression and may ultimately fade into the realm of forgettable animated films.
Director: Jeff Wamester
Stars: Jensen Ackles, Stana Katic, Matt Bomer, etc.
“Justice League: Warworld” possesses intriguing plotlines and a distinct visual style, thanks to the directors and talented voice cast. However, its segmented structure and lack of substantial exploration hinder the film’s potential to truly captivate its audience. It is an entertaining addition to the DC animated universe but falls short of delivering something truly remarkable.
The movie is worth 2 stars out of 5.