AC21: Random Movie Review - Injustice (DC)

 

I know I usually talk about TV shows on Tuesdays, but I will explain my reasons for swapping these posts around tomorrow. Now since Warner Brothers took over publishing and distribution duties for the Mortal Kombat franchise, the company behind it have also made the Injustice video games. Very much like Mortal Kombat (minus the excessive brutal violence, blood and gore and fatalities), but all to do with the DC universe. Specifically, a universe where Superman is a dictator and Batman is the resistance leader. Two great video games, and a fantastic comic book series that filled the gaps, have made this video game franchise well-loved and worthy of having films. Most of us would've preferred a saga to a single film like this. But I guess the animators wanted to make something original while using things that came from the comics and the video games. Specifically the Year One comics and the first game with elements of the second. Not the wisest of moves if you want to keep fans happy, but I guess Warner Brothers and DC were not interested in making a saga of films after doing the DC Animated Movie Universe. But enough talk, let's take a look:

On an Earth later designated as Earth-22 (one of many possible Earths in the DC multiverse with that name), Superman (voiced by Justin Hartley) hears a second heart beat from his wife Lois (voiced by Laura Bailey) which makes him realize that she is pregnant. At the same time, Batman (voiced by Anson Mount) is in pursuit of the Joker (voiced by Kevin Pollak) who, despite the efforts of the Justice League, is able to succeed in a plan where Superman loses everything including Lois and Metropolis. As Batman takes him to Arkham Asylum for interrogation, an emotionally angry Superman arrives and rips out his heart. Leading into events where Superman becomes a dictator and Batman forms a resistance against him. The result of which forces the Justice League to disband, as members consider joining either side or not take part at all. Only one will win in the end out of justice and power.

Yeah, I can see why many people didn't like this very much. Felt like the people behind it wanted to rush everything without once thinking, maybe spread it out across several films. There is a lack of character development, characters being killed off for the heck of it, and a severe unfaithfulness to the otherwise fantastic source material. Plus, although the voice cast is OK, much of the games had many of the DCAU voice cast in them. The likes of George Newburn, Susan Eisenberg and Kevin Conroy to name a few plus also Khary Payton who voiced Cyborg in the games and also in Teen Titans. I'm not really sure if there is anything in this film that I liked. The music is fine and the animation, while off-putting, is good. And even though I would've preferred a saga of films, the ending is good too and does make it final and not open-ended. Oh well, perhaps if they do a film adaptation of the Arkham games, they learn from their mistakes with this film (and yes I am aware there is an Arkham film already, but its not a direct adaptation of any of the video games). 6/10