Random Movie Review - Justice Society: World War II

 

Finally, we have a film about the superhero team that pre-date the Justice League. Originally, this team was the major superhero team for DC before a time when superhero comics were declining in popularity (most likely due to what was happening in the world at the time). Then during the silver age, various members of the team were established into a new superhero team that would become the Justice League, before the multiverse ended up creating two Earths where Society would be on Earth-Two and League would be on Earth-One. Various crossovers between the two teams would take place until the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover event that saw the two Earths (and possibly others) merged into one with the idea of Society being the team that predate the League, but would nevertheless feature similar or the same characters such as Wonder Woman (due to her godly powers) and the Flash (because well there is more than one Flash out there). Now this team had appeared in other media besides comics and before this film with versions of the team being seen on Legends of Tomorrow, Smallville and various animated shows. Plus, they are also due to appear in a future DCEU film too. Stargirl kinda has its own version of the team too. But now we have a film that is very much a film about them and not just another show or film that happens to have them there, but not as the main characters. This is an original story, but set in the DC Rebirth inspired series of animated DC films that started with Superman: Man of Tomorrow. Let's take a look:

On Earth-Two, the world is very much at war, with Nazi Germany invading Europe and seeking magical artefacts. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (voiced by Darin De Paul) tasks Steve Trevor (voiced by Chris Diamantopoulos) with forming a team of superheroes to get the United States involved in the war. This team would end up being called the Justice Society of America. Meanwhile on Earth-One, Barry Allen (voiced by Matt Bomer) as the Flash, assists Superman (reprised by Darren Criss) in a fight against Brainiac (also voiced by Darin De Paul) which causes him to channel the Speed Force and ends up in what he believes to be the past. Despite initial confusion and whatnot, he joins the Justice Society in their fight against the Nazis while also finding a way to get home, unaware that it may not be time travel that has caused him to be where he is.

With this series of Rebirth inspired films, the animation to me isn't quite as good as it had been during the New 52 inspired films, which was Japanese inspired animation. I also find this film to share similarities with The Flashpoint Paradox in that it's a film where the Flash arrives in a place that isn't his own, but I like how it's a little different this time. Although very much a Flash centred film, each member of this team is given their chance to shine with emotion, humour and a need to just get out there and fight the good fight. Had it not be for the animation (which honestly is fine, but not as smooth as it was before), I probably would rank it higher. 8/10