"Justice League Dark" Animated Release Talkback (Spoilers)

[James Harvey]

Things take a turn to the dark side in this DC Universe Animated Original Movie title! Discuss the animated feature and its home video release here!

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Justice League Dark
Studio: Warner Bros. Animation
Release Date: January 24th, 2017 - Digital; February 7 - Blu-ray/DVD

Synopsis: When innocent civilians begin committing unthinkable crimes across Metropolis, Gotham City and beyond, Batman must call upon mystical counterparts to eradicate this demonic threat to the planet. Enter Justice League Dark, reluctantly led by the Hellblazer himself, John Constantine. Like Batman, Constantine is a cunning, often cynical loner who is the best at his chosen profession – but quickly realizes the sinister forces plaguing the planet will require help from other supernatural alliances. Forming a new “league” with sorceress Zatanna, otherworldly Deadman, and Jason Blood and his powerful alter ego Etrigan the Demon, this team of Dark Arts specialists must unravel the mystery of Earth’s supernatural plague and contend with the rising, powerful villainous forces behind the siege – before it’s too late for all of mankind.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, Justice League Dark will be distributed February 7, 2017 by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Blu-ray Deluxe Giftset (featuring an exclusive Constantine figurine), Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD. The film will be available to own on Digital HD starting January 24, 2017.

Justice League Dark Bonus Content (Blu-ray and DVD):
-A Sneak Peek at Teen Titans: The Judas Contract:
-The Story of Swamp Thing (Featurette)
-Did You Know?: Constantine origin, Color of Magic, Black Orchid, and Deadman Casting (Featurette)
-2016 NY Comic Con Panel (Featurette)
-Sneak Peek at Justice League: Gods and Monsters
-Sneak Peek at Justice League: Doom
-From the DC Vault – Two Bonus Episodes:
--Batman: The Brave and the Bold "Dawn of the Dead Man!"
--Batman: The Brave and the Bold "Trials of the Demon!"

Discuss the Justice League Dark animated release here!

Please note this talkback is for both the Justice League Dark animated feature and home video release. Discussion for both are now housed in one single talkback discussion thread.

Related Threads:
-Justice League Dark Animated Feature Review (Spoilers)
-Justice League Dark Soundtrack Release Talkback (Spoilers)
-Justice League vs. Teen Titans Feature Talkback (Spoilers)
-Justice League: Gods and Monsters Feature Talkback (Spoilers)
-Justice League: Throne of Atlantis Feature Talkback (Spoilers)
-Justice League: War Feature Talkback (Spoilers)
-Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox Feature Talkback (Spoilers)
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[Gabs Sama]

Oh wow... this movie was a disappointment

The first 10 minutes is great. It builds up a lot of mystery and 'What the hell is going on!?!' tension. But the rest of the film just feels disjointed, rushed, and there didn't seem to be any endearing likable characters.

I have so many issues with this film because I REALLY wanted to like it. I've liked the Justice League animated films, mostly. And I wanted to see what a team of magic users can do. Unfortunately the characters aren't very likable and they really don't feel like a team. Constantine seemed disinterested and was hard to understand (sorry, I'm not good with British isms), Zatanna was sorta there I guess, Etrigan was at least fun with his rhymes, Deadman felt like he had no presence in the film at all (I had moments where I forgot he even was in this movie), and Swamp Thing was just wasted. In fact, they were all wasted. There's barely any team building or chemistry. They just felt like a bunch of weirdos bumping into one another and just so happens to be trying to defeat the villain.

Also this film seems to love just throwing important information out of nowhere like how apparently Zatanna could go all Super Saiyan... yet none of this was ever built up to that point. I don't recall Constantine or anyone saying something like: "Careful, don't give in to your power too much." I mean, even X-Men 3 did a better job of building up this unstable powerful ability. We see this 'Out-Of-Nowhere-Reveals' throughout the film like Etrigan's weakness.

There's other issues with the plot and stuff but my biggest issue is really just the characters being so... distant They don't really feel interested in anything, from stopping the villain to working as a team. Yes, Constantine and Etrigan can have some funny moments but it's all individual moments whereas like in Avengers or even Justice League TAS we see the members have moments with other heroes and their trust and relationship is further built upon.

C'mon, isn't this screenwriting 101?...

 

[Bestmand902]

So on one hand, I did like some things about the movie. The animation, the action, the voice acting I all really liked, but...

I didn't really feel a connection to the characters, and it kept putting me off how little the female characters got to do. Like, what was the point to Black Orchid? You could've written her out of the movie for all that she did. And Zatanna...Is faux action girl too strong of a phrase? Either way, how little she really did was disappointing to me.

Maybe I'm being a little too hard on the movie, but I was just offput by that.

 

[Troy Troodon]

I'll be honest, I thought this film was... FRIGGIN EPIC! Holy crap, this movie just blew me away! Oh sure, it had problems, but for the most part definitely told a dark story with dark characterization and did it in a way that was not just some pretentious sense of false edginess.

The animation was really really good, the voice acting was top notch, the characters where likable and for the most part did feel like legit fundamental characters, and the story had an interesting mystery, and unlike say, Suicide Squad, this movie for the time it had actually delved into the scope of these lesser known characters; with the fair deconstruction as told through (for a lack of a better term) a more cinematic feel.

I was skeptical at first regarding the R-rating, seeing as how the Killing Joke should have been PG-13, but frankly after having watched this film I heartily applaud them for the R-rating, because oh boy, this is NOT a kids movie! Sure there is no nudity, no f-bombs, or anything too gratuitous, but the disturbing imagery alone, as well as the über dark tone and cinematic violence (with just the right amount of blood shed) definitely warrants any younger viewer under the age of 17 to have firm parental supervision because when it comes to the movie's uncomfortable atmosphere it definitely does not pull any punches, so watch at your own peril.

Justice League Dark definitely deserves it's title, for it's dark nature, perplexing, endearing story likable characterization, wonderful animation, and top tier voice over talent.

8/10

 

[WebMasterSage]

I'll be honest, I thought this film was... FRIGGIN EPIC! Holy crap, this movie just blew me away! Oh sure, it had problems, but for the most part definitely told a dark story with dark characterization and did it in a way that was not just some pretentious sense of false edginess.

The animation was really really good, the voice acting was top notch, the characters where likable and for the most part did feel like legit fundamental characters, and the story had an interesting mystery, and unlike say, Suicide Squad, this movie for the time it had actually delved into the scope of these lesser known characters; with the fair deconstruction as told through (for a lack of a better term) a more cinematic feel.

I was skeptical at first regarding the R-rating, seeing as how the Killing Joke should have been PG-13, but frankly after having watched this film I heartily applaud them for the R-rating, because oh boy, this is NOT a kids movie! Sure there is no nudity, no f-bombs, or anything too gratuitous, but the disturbing imagery alone, as well as the über dark tone and cinematic violence (with just the right amount of blood shed) definitely warrants any younger viewer under the age of 17 to have firm parental supervision because when it comes to the movie's uncomfortable atmosphere it definitely does not pull any punches, so watch at your own peril.

Justice League Dark definitely deserves it's title, for it's dark nature, perplexing, endearing story likable characterization, wonderful animation, and top tier voice over talent.

8/10

Well then, I'm Seeing it later Today. Just one question, Any word who voices Martian Manhunter & Hawkman?

 

[Troy Troodon]

Well then, I'm Seeing it later Today. Just one question, Any word who voices Martian Manhunter & Hawkman?

Well SPOILERS--

Nobody.

 

[Jean74]

Go to IMDB to see who voices Martian Manhunter and Hawkman is the best way to know.

 

[Gabs Sama]

I'll be honest, I thought this film was... FRIGGIN EPIC! Holy crap, this movie just blew me away! Oh sure, it had problems, but for the most part definitely told a dark story with dark characterization and did it in a way that was not just some pretentious sense of false edginess.

The animation was really really good, the voice acting was top notch, the characters where likable and for the most part did feel like legit fundamental characters, and the story had an interesting mystery, and unlike say, Suicide Squad, this movie for the time it had actually delved into the scope of these lesser known characters; with the fair deconstruction as told through (for a lack of a better term) a more cinematic feel.

I was skeptical at first regarding the R-rating, seeing as how the Killing Joke should have been PG-13, but frankly after having watched this film I heartily applaud them for the R-rating, because oh boy, this is NOT a kids movie! Sure there is no nudity, no f-bombs, or anything too gratuitous, but the disturbing imagery alone, as well as the über dark tone and cinematic violence (with just the right amount of blood shed) definitely warrants any younger viewer under the age of 17 to have firm parental supervision because when it comes to the movie's uncomfortable atmosphere it definitely does not pull any punches, so watch at your own peril.

Justice League Dark definitely deserves it's title, for it's dark nature, perplexing, endearing story likable characterization, wonderful animation, and top tier voice over talent.

8/10

Jeez I wish I saw the movie you saw

I liked the first ten minutes and while I'm not a fan of the JL Animated Movie art style (too in love with Bruce Timm's style), the animation can look pretty impressive in the fight scenes, especially at the big boss battles.

I'm not really understanding where the praise for the characterization is coming from though. It felt rushed, I don't think anyone really 'grew' by the end of the movie or that they came together as a team compared to other teams.

I haven't read the comics but is Felix Faust supposed to be... Asian? I aleways thought he was Mediterranean like in Justice League. I kinda did find his moustache and accent a bit... dated? Not too offensive but it did feel a bit irksome...

 

[Troy Troodon]

Jeez I wish I saw the movie you saw

I liked the first ten minutes and while I'm not a fan of the JL Animated Movie art style (too in love with Bruce Timm's style), the animation can look pretty impressive in the fight scenes, especially at the big boss battles.

I'm not really understanding where the praise for the characterization is coming from though. It felt rushed, I don't think anyone really 'grew' by the end of the movie or that they came together as a team compared to other teams.

I haven't read the comics but is Felix Faust supposed to be... Asian? I aleways thought he was Mediterranean like in Justice League. I kinda did find his moustache and accent a bit... dated? Not too offensive but it did feel a bit irksome...

Well, it is art, and art is supposed to be subjective to different people, so you and I of course probably do not hold the same merits on this particular project.

As for Faust, I can see why you assumed he looked asian, but that's mainly due to the style of character work and how a character of certain age or background might end up looking.

 

[Yojimbo]

I haven't read the comics but is Felix Faust supposed to be... Asian? I aleways thought he was Mediterranean like in Justice League. I kinda did find his moustache and accent a bit... dated? Not too offensive but it did feel a bit irksome...

He has been known to steal bodies once or twice in the comics.

 

[Mostezli]

This was a great "adrenaline shot up the arm" with the most odd parts being some of the exposition, transitions to explaining origins, and a couple lines of dialogue.

Zatanna was absolutely a highlight as was Felix Faust. I saw her as bucking the trend of "faux action girl" in comic book movies because of the primary way she used her powers and the reasons presented for why that's the case.

When you watch the movie, it's clear as day that there are 3-4 main characters really driving the story (Batman nor any of the Leaguers were among them). The team dynamic was more subtle and more naturally developed than what I'm used to getting from this New 52 continuity to the extent that it really puts this up there with some of the better DC animated features I can think of.
All the members of the Dark team were utilized effectively. I can't imagine either Oracle nor Swamp-Thing getting more involved in the story being unfolded, unless there was an intent to give them more depth or relation to the narrative.

Jay Oliva bats another homerun and I'm foaming at the mouth for this writer/director duo as they adapt Judas Contract.

 

[Bestmand902]

Zatanna was absolutely a highlight as was Felix Faust. I saw her as bucking the trend of "faux action girl" in comic book movies because of the primary way she used her powers

Eh....
In all honesty I didn't feel that way. she DID do some things on her own, but at the same time, she was pretty absent from both of the major fights of the movie against Faust and Destiny. She was largely useless for most of the fight against Faust, and she wasn't really there during the Destiny fight. It was a bit of a letdown

 

[Mostezli]

Eh....
In all honesty I didn't feel that way. she DID do some things on her own, but at the same time, she was pretty absent from both of the major fights of the movie against Faust and Destiny. She was largely useless for most of the fight against Faust, and she wasn't really there during the Destiny fight. It was a bit of a letdown

I don't know if you were paying attention to what she DID do, especially when it came to dealing with Faust. She has an actual reason for holding back as it informs the viewer of her limitations and just her personal perspective on magic. When I say holding back I'm not saying she doesn't play a prominent tactic in each encounter.

 

[Gabs Sama]

Eh....
In all honesty I didn't feel that way. she DID do some things on her own, but at the same time, she was pretty absent from both of the major fights of the movie against Faust and Destiny. She was largely useless for most of the fight against Faust, and she wasn't really there during the Destiny fight. It was a bit of a letdown

I fell in love with Zatanna in the Justice League Action cartoon and I was pretty disappointed to see how... boring and serious she was in this film

They didn't do much with her and Constantine and they never hinted that she could go super saiyan. But i'm more upset she doesn't seem to be that endearing or likable.

To those who read the comics, is Zatanna lacking character? I read a blog talking about how Zatanna isn't as popular or sucessful because she lacks personality, an arc, and she doesn't seem to have much character flaws. And now that I read that, yeah the only weakness Zatanna seems to have is if she can't utter her spell or doesn't have her magic hat or wand. And i'm kinda shocked Zatanna might not be an interesting character if what I heard is true.

It feels like you could do so much with her. Like maybe she's a perfectionist or that she fears not living up to expectations or is over confident or maybe her cheerfulness is a facade to hide her flaws.

Please tell me I'm wrong...

 

[Mostezli]

It feels like you could do so much with her. Like maybe she's a perfectionist or that she fears not living up to expectations or is over confident or maybe her cheerfulness is a facade to hide her flaws.

Please tell me I'm wrong...

JLA Zatanna is a fun character, but in no way is she as developed as this one. Her fear could not be any clearer. Her history with Constantine was the most amicable of any of the others we're made aware of in this movie. She's a performance artist because she's not as into the crazier side of magic and with good cause for why she's avoided it this much. She also cares quite a bit in protecting those around her.

 

[Gabs Sama]

JLA Zatanna is a fun character, but in no way is she as developed as this one. Her fear could not be any clearer. Her history with Constantine was the most amicable of any of the others we're made aware of in this movie. She's a performance artist because she's not as into the crazier side of magic and with good cause for why she's avoided it this much. She also cares quite a bit in protecting those around her.

Thanks. Though I still think the film didn't do enough to sell it. My impression of her 'flaws' was that she was mad with Constantine over something in the past (what was it btw? I actually may have missed it) and apparently she has a huge powerful force inside her which I don't think they really built up, and then the two love one another again because... we're told they had a past and we need romance and Zatanna dating Deadman or the others would be too weird

I think they could have done more with that scene where Constantine said Zatanna was wasting her magic on tricks and pleasing people. That really could have been developed and seen her motivations and stuff including fear that her powers could be too powerful. But they didn't really develop it I feel and it felt like a throw away line

 

[Mostezli]

Thanks. Though I still think the film didn't do enough to sell it. My impression of her 'flaws' was that she was mad with Constantine over something in the past (what was it btw? I actually may have missed it) and apparently she has a huge powerful force inside her which I don't think they really built up, and then the two love one another again because... we're told they had a past and we need romance and Zatanna dating Deadman or the others would be too weird

There were a couple of random escapades, but my understanding was that they

Spoiler: plot

shared a Bonnie and Clyde-type bond which brought them so close. One of the reasons why she followed him into the host's mind.

I think they could have done more with that scene where Constantine said Zatanna was wasting her magic on tricks and pleasing people. That really could have been developed and seen her motivations and stuff including fear that her powers could be too powerful. But they didn't really develop it I feel and it felt like a throw away line

Subtlety is how they built up to that twist

Spoiler: plot

At no point before that fight did we truly see her exert herself (recall the types of magic she used), but Faust was aware of how dangerous she is. So, did Constantine. I particularly enjoyed her ingenuity in breaking his spell, something that's sort of truncated with Constantine. What was especially poignant were the specific words Constantine had to utter to her to revert back to normal. And then the aftermath of using such a powerful force. This is why she sticks to magic tricks.

 

[Marvelman02]

If you know you're facing a magical menace, wouldn't it make sense to call in the one Justice League member who is invulnerable to magic?

 

[WebMasterSage]

This was pretty Good Honestly. It's easily DC's Answer to Hellsing.

I like to State that Ray Chase Officially beat Michael T. Weiss in the Role of Etrigan/Jason Blood & Nicholas Turturro was a laugh riot for Deadman. Never forgot how much I liked the Guy's humor.

 

[Periphery]

There was no real resolution with Swamp Thing. Was he destroyed or just ended for a span?