LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes – Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom!, 2015
Directed by Rick Morales
Featuring the voice talents of Dee Bradley Baker, Troy Baker, John DiMaggio, Grey Griffin, Mark Hamill, Nolan North, Josh Keaton, Khary Payton, Cree Summer, Kevin Michael Richardson, James Arnold Taylor, Tony Todd.
SYNPOSIS:
The newly formed Justice League, with young new recruit Cyborg struggling to fit in, do battle against Lex Luthor’s Legion of Doom, with such adversaries as Captain Cold, Cheetah, and Sinestro.
LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes – Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom is the forth animated film in the child-focused DC series. Now, confession time, this writer has not seen the others in Warner Bros’ animated cannon, and therefore this review will wholly be from a newcomers perspective. Please be gentle.
To witness a DC film that differs vastly from the pseudo-philosophical blockbusters of the DCCU, with its own grim incarnations and an ever-expanding multiverse, this was a refreshing experience. It oscillates between the camp Adam West 1960s series to The LEGO Movie’s own light witted humour. The exchanges between members of both the Justice League and the Legion of Doom are lathed with creative puns, meta-moments, and tongue-in-cheek silliness. Notable moments include the police force and the Justice League forever mixing up Trickster with The Joker (for obvious reasons), Giganta’s minor cameo appearance, and Superman’s unwavering optimism. This tone is throughout to ensure it remains light entertainment in contrast to DC/Warner Bros more mature outings.
The animation of the characters remains true to the LEGO anatomy. They move accordingly, they battle with such limitations, and the film takes artistic liberties when they carry props; Batman clearly could not hide all those gadgets on such a pocket-less Lego physique. As the cityscape and vehicles follow the same Lego construct, never will the adult viewer question the film’s internal logic (mind, if you do, then there is something wrong with you). They are animated with such care, attention, and shiny slickness that you’d find it difficult to not be charmed by its visuals.
If there are any cons to an otherwise finely appropriate film, it would be the unimaginative, and somewhat forgettable, battle sequences; placed into the narrative for padding purposes, they will either place you into a sugary coma by its colourful abundance, or switch you off. Either way, that’s not a good sign. Also, it really is a kid’s movie, and not a “kidult” construct like other contemporary animated films, so don’t expect anything beyond its overt offerings.
Nonetheless, if adults wish to revel in some wholly kid-friendly entertainment then they shouldn’t be disappointed, and for kids…well, if you have one and they’ve asked for it, you’re unlikely going to read this review for confirmation. Go, indulge, and, above all, enjoy.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Matthew Lee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_zu6XuI_g4
Originally published October 19, 2015. Updated April 14, 2018.
