Review
LEGO DC Comics Superheroes:
Justice League:
Attack of the Legion of Doom
"LEGO DC Comics Superheroes: Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom" is the fourth movie in a line of Direct to Video movie collaborations between LEGO, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation. In 'Attack of the Legion of Doom,' the newly formed Justice League has kept crime to a minimum in Metropolis. Lex Luthor, Black Manta, and Sinestro band together to form a counterteam to the League, the Legion of Doom! To complete his plans, Luthor stages a daring attack on the Area 52 military installation.
The story follows a linear path and gives both the Justice League and Legion of Doom ample screen time. The Justice League is a well oiled crime fighting machine and they take down threats together very easily and quickly. Cyborg wakes up from a heroic dream and makes it to a team meeting late. It's time to elect a new leader. Batman wins. Luthor isn't very pleased with the League's success and along with Black Manta and Sinestro -- they gather a bunch of recruits, some villains from past movies and some new. They put them through a TV game show gauntlet and whittle the field down to Captain Cold, Gorilla Grodd, and Cheetah. Then they attack a military facility ominously named Area 52 and free a green alien named J'onn J'onzz. Luthor lies and props himself as an ally and liberator. To make matters worse, the Justice League is framed and banished from the planet. But that doesn't last for long and the Justice League saves the day. They also induct a new member, J'onzz, who takes the codename Martian Manhunter. However, Luthor's secret benefactor Darkseid decides to change his plans and fall back to another ally...
The movie is geared to the six to eight year old demographic and somewhat to the nostalgia crowd. To the older crowd that watches the PG-13 DC Universe movie line or the various television series, this is not the movie for them. They would likely chalk it up to retread of a "Super Friends" episode or become bored with the predictable story progressions, the jokes, the puns, and what not. This is not a knock on the screenwriter, Jim Krieg. More it comes to show, how incredibly versatile of a writer he is -- "Green Lantern: The Animated Series," an animated CGI animated series for the 10 year old crowd accessible to fanboys, a PG-13 direct to video movie focusing on the Flash stuck in an alternate present, "Spooksville," a live action tween supernatural television series, hilarious DC Nation animated shorts featuring Shazam (or Captain Marvel) and now a 6-8 year old all ages CGI DC Universe animated movie with LEGO's. At this point, I don't think there's nothing he can't write. Truly one of the masters of the current slate of DC animation. Also adding strength to this movie is director Rick Morales who has a strong background in CGI animation having previously worked on the two CGI animated series "Green Lantern: The Animated Series" and "Beware The Batman." Another strength is the leadership provided by producer Brandon Vietti -- someone who has literally worked on almost every single DC animation project in the last 10 years or so. The CGI animation is gorgeous and some of the classic DC locales like the Hall of Justice and Hall of Doom look nothing short of beautiful and spectacular.
Another strength is the cast of seasoned actors who are no strangers to voice acting nor DC animation. Mark Hamill is best known as the Joker in various projects but he was the Trickster in live action, too! And here, he reprises a voice role as the Trickster again. Troy Baker, better known as the voice of the Joker in some of the Arkham series of video games and the recent PG-13 companion movie "Batman: Assault on Arkham," is the voice of Batman! Holy role reversals! But he is surprisingly very good doing the gruff and stern Dark Knight. Nolan North, the voice of Superboy and Superman on "Young Justice," voices Superman here -- cheerful and stoic but not too corny. Khary Payton is back as Cyborg but more as a starry eyed fanboy turned hero type. Josh Keaton is back as Green Lantern and butts heads a lot with the Flash to the point of annoying brothers with Wonder Woman stuck in the middle. Speaking of, she is voiced by Grey Griffin, who also voices the intrepid reporter Lois Lane. Dee Bradley Baker voices new character Martian Manhunter. John DiMaggio voices both Lex Luthor and the Joker. Tony Todd lends his voice to Darkseid, the master manipulator.
The sole special feature is 'Click, Zap, Boom! Creating the Sound Design.' It focuses on the sound crew doing their work for the movie. While it is a unique featurette and is a rare glimpse at something I've often wondered about, I don't think the target audience would be watching this for long since it does get somewhat technical at times. Included with the Blu-Ray/DVD deluxe set is a Trickster LEGO figure.
"LEGO DC Comics Superheroes: Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom" is a fun all ages adventure romp for children and a valentine to fans of the classic "Super Friends" animated series. Helmed by a veteran cast and crew, 'Attack of the Legion of Doom' raises the ante and doesn't just go through the motion as the fourth movie in the line. In fact, it continues to break new territory with introducing new faces and expanding the LEGO DC Comics Superheroes universe. Based on the ending, the stakes will be even higher and the universe will get a bit bigger in the next movie. 'Attack of the Legion of Doom' is recommended to children and children at heart, alike.
Rating
Main Feature: 3 out of 5
Special Features: 2 out of 5
Average Rating: 2.5 out of 5