In 2011, DC Comics published "Flashpoint", an event that showed readers a broken version of its heroes and universe that in the end, created the brand new universe now seen in all its "New 52" books. A year later, it was announced the storyline would be a future adaptation in DC's line of animated original movies, with a release set for 2013. While more movies would be announced far ahead of time before the release of an upcoming release, there was a period there was no announcement of any films following "Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox." Since there seemed to be some secrecy, this would lead to speculation that the movie would bring DC Animation into the New 52 era, making a big announcement as they did when they revealed the New 52 comics. I even watched the past DC animated films based on the main universe storyline in preparation of this film, sort of as a last hurrah to the old universe. Past and future films aside, how does DC's latest animated film hold up? In my opinion, it's one of the best the line has produced and emphasizes the darkness the source material brought.
To give everyone an idea about what the film is about, the timeline of the DC universe has been altered drastically; Superman has been held in a government detention center since he was a baby, Aquaman and Wonder Woman have waged a world that has ravaged Europe, and Thomas Wayne became Batman after his young son Bruce was killed. Only Barry Allen, the Flash, knows the world has changed and must find a way to make things right.
While the main story was adapted pretty well in the movie, the action of the film makes it even better. The constant battles will keep your eyes glued to the screen. Seriously, shit gets pretty intense and may not be for the faint of heart. While most superhero films are rated PG-13, this is also an animated film, which means the creators can get as graphic as they're allowed to and depict things that would get a live actions film an R rating. It's right up there with Batman and Joker's fight in the animated film adaptation of "The Dark Knight Returns." Only in this film will you probably see Wonder Woman murder a child, Batman shoot someone's brains out, or a man getting third degree burns all over his body trying to get superpowers. That's only a few examples of the over the top violence shown. Parents, if you think your kids will like this movie just because it's a Justice League cartoon, be ready to answer some questions or shut it off. They put ratings on these things for a reason; pay attention to them!
Since this is the story that got me into reading Flash, I'm happy that he was given the spotlight here. While it says "Justice League" in the title, mostly for marketing reasons, this is Barry Allen's story. His best moment in my opinion was when he disarmed the government agents stopping him, Batman, and Cyborg from breaking Superman out of his imprisonment, shown in slow-motion. It showed how awesome a guy who "just runs fast" can be. Since he's got a TV show and film coming out that will both tie in to the Arrow TV series and DC's budding film universe, people will be seeing alot more of Flash soon, and hopefully he is done as well as in this story.
As in the original comic series though, the standout character of the film was Thomas Wayne as Batman. He's an older, grittier Batman that's not afraid to kill; i.e., BADASS. Think Punisher, but with a cape. I guess losing your child before they even have a chance to grow up will do that to a person. He's basically a man that has lost all hope in the world. It makes him a great foil to Cyborg, acting as the world's greatest hero in the altered timeline, who believes in the government and the good in people. If you thought Superman and Bruce as Batman were opposites, Cyborg and Thomas as Batman are extreme on their ends. Probably the funniest example I can think of is when Cyborg says he doesn't drink and Thomas replies "Shocking" sarcastically." But what makes this version of Thomas amazing is that he is willing to die so that his son can live again. The final scene where Barry gives Bruce a letter Thomas should make you emotional.
My only wish though is that when Thomas killed Reverse Flash, he would have taunted him as he did in the comics here:
Thinking back to the source material to the main miniseries, I think the film makes improvements to help give viewers a greater grasp of the whole story, also adapting pieces from the various tie-in miniseries. We aren't just told what happens, we see what happens. We see why Aquaman and Wonder Woman went to war, and that Superman's rocket crashed into Metropolis. But the best bit of information from the alternate timeline revealed was the mere hint that Martha Wayne became the Joker of this universe, driven mad by her son's death. I tell you, I've watched that moment a few times now, and it still gives me goosebumps when she starts laughing maniacally, with her son's blood on her face looking like a big smile. While it would have been cool to see her and Thomas have their final confrontation in the film, I realized that it's its own story and would have just taken us off course of the main action.
Some additional positive thoughts:
- Kaldur'ahm, the Aqualad of Young Justice, makes an appearance in the film. He doesn't have that big of a role, but it's nice to see the character still getting some love even though the show's been cancelled. If only he got that love in the New 52 comics, where he has yet to even show up.
- For some reason, I really enjoyed Grifter. Maybe it's because he's a smartass and reminds me of Deadpool. Aside from that, he had some good action moments in the film, like teaming up with Batman to kill Black Manta, and kept fighting until the end, in which he got an arrow through the head.
- I'm glad that the Flashpoint Superman had his traditional "S" logo and not the one featured in the comic's storyline.
Speaking of which though, I find Barry's motivation to go back in time to prevent his mother's death a little selfish compared to why he did in the comics. In the comics, it was revealed that Reverse Flash went back in time and killed her as a way to screw with Barry. So with that reason, Barry was going back to fix something that shouldn't have happened. In the film, Reverse Flash just taunts Flash about his dead mom, which makes him decide to go back. Not much there in my opinion.
Another drastic change from the comics to the film involves Green Lantern. In the Flashpoint comics, Abin Sur survived the crash on Earth and Hal never took his place. In the film however, Abin Sur still dies and his ring flies off into space. I'm sorry, but I'm having a hard time believing that the ring wouldn't have gone to Hal. I mean, when a GL dies, the ring goes to the closest worthy successor. It's something I think the filmmakers botched up in my opinion.
Perhaps the thing I find most lacking is the overall conclusion. Yes, Barry is able to save the world, but it doesn't really have the same impact in the film as it did the comics. The timeline he comes back to appears no more different than before he went back in the time originally. For example, he and Iris are still together even thought they aren't in the New 52 comics. The only real difference between the films pre- and post-Flashpoint timelines is that Batman and Flash's costumes are slightly different. I honestly don't see why that would be the only change. I understand the need to make them look like their New 52 versions, but they could have at least included Pandora's involvement in the New 52's creation to explain the differences. That way, DC could also set up a potential "Trinity War" animated film.
One last thing: the post-credits scene shows Parademons coming through a boomtube over Earth, foreshadowing DC's next animated film: "Justice League: War", based on the League's New 52 origin story. The problem I have with that though, is that that story takes place before the New 52 scenes shown at the end of Flashpoint. Batman and Flash hadn't even met in that story yet. I understand the need to foreshadow new films like Marvel does, but it doesn't really work with prequels in my opinion.
I'll admit, I'm nitpicking things. But hey, I'm a comic geek. It's expected to happen.
Minor problems aside, I truly enjoyed the film, maybe even more than the source material. It's worth a view from any DC fan.
RATING: 7.5/10
COMING SOON: Watching this film has made me think back to Flashpoint's Batman tie-in miniseries, "Knight of Vengeance." So I'm going to reread that and do what I call a "Retro Review." If it's any indication that I'm reviewing a story from 2011, that should give you a sign of how I felt about it. But still, stay tuned.
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