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Lego DC Comics Superheroes: Justice League vs Bizarro League

Lego DC Comics Superheroes: Justice League vs Bizarro League
Studio: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Format: Available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD
Home Video Release Date: February 10th, 2015

Synopsis: Batman has joined the just formed Justice League in order to keep tabs on Superman, a mistrust that is complicated by Superman’s bad (but well meaning) clone Bizarro and his creation of the Bizarro League, but an even bigger threat forces the two Leagues to join forces.

Lego DC Comics Superheroes: Justice League vs Bizarro League Review
By James Harvey

To put it right out there ... I'm not sure how useful this review will be for those looking to pick up this movie. Why? Because, frankly, I'm only going to be basically the same thing over and over: this movie is fun. It's fun. Like really, really, really fun. Imagine some of the zonkiest, craziest old school DC Comics ever, and then picture it being reenacted by Legos. It's awesome.

Aimed primarily at a younger audience, Lego DC Comics Superheroes: Justice League vs Bizarro League actually has appeal for pretty much all ages. There's just enough sharp humor that, while kids will be all over this, adults won't be bored to tears. In fact, the film's brisk 48-minute run time keeps the film from overstaying it's welcome. The pace is pitch-perfect, with direction that adds a bit of flavor to the quick pace and fun script. There's that word again - "fun."

One of the best gags of the movie, one that adults fans will likely get a kick out of more than the young ones, are the broad strokes used to paint the characters. Superman is noble to the core, even to a fault as he sometimes doesn't make the best decision even when he has a person's best interests in mind. Guy Gardner is cocky and arrogant, and Wonder Woman is both a warrior but compassionate (and it's handled here nicely, nicely co-existing and accenting each other). However, Batman's portrayal here is just the best - it's hilarious. His overbearing distrust for Superman, and basically everybody else, is played incredibly over-the-top, and it works in every single scene. His inner monologues, his "secret" kryptonite, his offhand remarks, all of it is bonkers, and it's absolutely amazing. The film gets a little meta more than a few times here, and it's actually pretty fantastic.

If there's any real criticism to levy against this film, it might be the film's dispensability. The film makes for a fun watch, especially with young ones or diehard DC Comics fans, but the replay value will definitely vary. Some folks definitely won't bother watching this more than once, but for those who enjoy the old-school Saturday morning heroics on display, I could see those folks giving his disc a spin on occasion. If anything, this film serves as a great primer into the wider DC Universe, and makes a great entry-point for younger fans. Having the overly-complicated and fantastical nature of the DC Universe redone in Lego definitely makes it all easier to swallow.

And given this is another solid DC Comics-based animated feature, the cast list is notably impressive. Nolan North plays the role of both Superman and Bizarro, nicely playing up Superman's nobility and Bizarro's deranged innocence. Troy Baker is a stand-out as Batman, playing up his inherent paranoia to incredible levels, and getting some solid laughs. Kari Wahlgren, Diedrich Bader Khary Payton pull double-duty as Justice Leaguers Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Cyborg and their respective Bizarro-ed counterparts, all clearly having a blast. A special tip of the hat goes to casting Tony Todd as Darkseid, some truly inspired casting.

Director Brand Vietti is able to keep the film pushing along nicely, working from a light and breezy script by Michael Jelenic. Every aspect of the film falls into place nicely.

Overall, Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League is a fun little romp that fans of all ages can get something out of. It's fun, fast, quirky, and works on just the right level. It's clear the creators of this animated flick love the source material as the film is layered with winks to the comic book source material. On top of that, it's a nice reminder of how fun and iconic the DC Universe is, even with a layer of Lego paint. If you're looking for a fun adventure to share with the family, and maybe serve as a gateway drug to the bigger DC Universe, this Lego 'toon may be just what you're looking for.

In terms of the Blu-ray release, it's a pretty nice title. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment adds a couple extra goodies to watch once the main feature is done, all in a solid presentation.

Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League video transfer is a sharp direct-to-digital transfer that's nearly pristine. Everything looks sharp and crystal clear, though some banding is evident. The detail is really fantastic though, especially in the early Metropolis scenes and the Bizarro World battle with Darkseid. The DTS-HD audio transfer is also very nifty, with every speaker getting a nice workout - surprising for a release such as this. Even the action scenes allow the audio set-up to really open up. Much better than expected in that regard.

The extra content is nice, particular having a copy of the just-as-fun Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Batman Be-Leaguered that aired om Cartoon Network back in October 2014. Basically a prelude to this release's main feature, it's a fun 22-minute adventure with Batman first getting involved with the Justice League. The short featured a lot of great moments with a pitch-perfect character at the center of the chaos. Also included are some "bloopers" for the film (animated jokes, really), some trailers and a featurette on Bizarro. All in all, it's a nice tidy package.

While Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League seems more suited for a rental than a purchase, I find it has some repeat value. It's a cool little film that embraces some of the best aspects of the DC Universe and makes it easily digestible for the younger set. Plus, given how serious, grim and gritty things have gotten with DC's other animated films and comics, this might be a fine alternative for fans looking for something a little lighter. Toss in the bonus Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Batman Be-Leaguered special on both the Blu-ray and DVD release, and fans get over an hour of light-hearted DC Comics fun (there's that word again - "fun")! Recommended!


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Lego DC Comics Superheroes: Justice League vs Bizarro League is now available to own on DVD, Blu-ray and for Digital Download from from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Also be sure to check out the The World's Finest review of the Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham video game, available to own on all major video game consoles from Warner Bros. Interactive.

 

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