Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

I did enjoy Justice League: New Frontier, but between this and that, I consider this the slightly better movie. My only real reservations actually was two members of the voice cast. William Baldwin does what he can, but lacks the mystery and darkness of what I associate Batman with. Mark Harmon is also too monotone for Superman. My other reservation was Superman and Luthor's relationship which I think could have been expanded more. However, most of the voice acting is great. I think Chris Noth brings a great deal of heroism to Lex Luthor, and while underused Nolan North is both heroic and sinister. The best are Gina Torres, who gives Superwoman a great femme-fatale edge, and especially James Woods, whose Owlman is just superb. The animation is atmospheric and detailed with some funky character designs like with Wonder Woman and the music is haunting. The writing is mature and sharp, more so than New Frontier, Superwoman and Flash's quips are especially funny without jarring, and the story has an edge and urgency to it. I found the romance arc heart-warming with Martian Manhunter as well. All in all, I found A Crisis of Two Earths excellent. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Crisis on two Earths is about the main Justice League going after another Justice League , from another universe in which they are the bad guys. I have to say these stories are some of my favorites for makes you think you heroes in different light and not taking for granted that for instance that just the experiences of Batmanturned him into the hero we all know and love.

In general the story is very interesting and I really like the dynamic of the parallel world as it shows something which I have to see it since Injustice and the episode Justice League "A Better World" ,the Justice League is a force which can rule the world and their good intentions is the reason why they don't.

Also the portrait of Martian Manhunter was pitch perfect and I still look forward for him to take a live-action treatment.

Over all a very enjoyable film ,I recommended to every DC fan.

One of the things that makes these DC animated movies, specifically those as of late (with very few exceptions) so strong thematically is that they take the foundations of the characters from the comics and the TV shows, keep them strong, and build upon them as their own forms of mythology. We see this in Superman: Doomsday with the concept of 'Can Superman be taken down?', to even a slightly lessor film like Wonder Woman, which asks, simply, 'Is this a man's world, or is there some I Am Woman Hear Me Roar too?'

While the best of the lot, Justice League New Frontier, is hard to get eclipsed in its storytelling, this new direct to video release, Crisis on Two Earths, does its best to come close. At first it might appear to be a simple bizarro-world story (or Elseworld tale as it can be called, i.e. Superman: Red Son), where the Justice League is visited by Lex Luthor(!) from the other world, who is actually battling the bad-guy versions of the JLA, and they have to stop them- specifically the mastermind Owlman- from destroying possibly both worlds... or all.

What makes it richer is how the writers and directors build upon the tropes and even add some philosophy to the mix - the way Owlman looks at all of the worlds, the nihilism present, and his disgust of free will, is rather morbidly fascinating for the few minutes its given light in what would be otherwise a "kids" movie - and keeps fans happy. I wouldn't say this is a good place to start for newbies to these characters; not so much for a complex story, which is isn't entirely, but that some of the characters are already so well established and that some of the smaller ones may just float by without much consequence (I, who has been catching up on the Justice League animated show, didn't recognize some of the characters unless named). It really is made by fans of the series (the directors are also well-established with these films, practically covering all of the recent ones for better and worse), for fans, as a rock-em-sock-em elseworld story.

While some small parts do frustrate a bit (how Owlman is so set in his path towards the end... and then proceeds to go and beat up Batman anyway seems rather redundant), it gives us some great moments in DC animated history. That one line from Batman especially to Owlman, "The difference between you and I - we both looked in the abyss, and you blinked", is a keeper, and some of the quips given by Superwoman and the Flash (yes, the Flash) are really funny. And though the overall outcome of who will triumph and so on can be called practically from the outset, the fun and danger comes in the instances of uncertainty between character fights and the intensity of one-on-one action, or just unexpected moments (the 'Green Arrow' in the elseworld is basically painted Red and made into the Batman villain Deadshot) that delight.

One last note - the voice acting here was surprisingly good. It's tricky not having the standard voices for Super/Batmen (I'm always wary hearing Batman not as Kevin Conroy), but William Baldwin actually didn't do too bad, and same for Mark Harmon. Best of all were Gina Torres as the femme fatale in Superwoman, and James Woods dialing down his usual hammy bad-guy acting for Owlman, who sounds so cerebral one wonders why he has that big suit of armor.

I have to say I was skeptical when I reviewed the casting for this installment.

I enjoyed "Superman: Doomsday", and "Public Enemies". I really like the animated movie series installments that Warner Brothers has been releasing. Having withdrawal from "Batman: The Animated Series" and "Justice League", these new animated movies are just what the doctor ordered.

The main topic of discussion for this series will be why some of the main voice characters weren't cast.

If I don't say it now, I will regret it. Kevin Conroy, I hope your listening, no one does Batman like you - period.

I read around and didn't find a legitimate source on why you weren't cast as Batman, but I'm confident it has to do with the new "Batman - Arkym Asylum 2" that he is currently doing voice over work for. Warner Brothers is pretty set on the deadline of getting these series to the public, so I would conclude they made the decision to film this one with another cast of characters.

I won't spoil the movie, but this particular story arc is very similar to season 2 of Justice League "A Better World" with a little bit of a twist.

In short, If you liked the other installments - you will like this version. Yes it is a little different, and the mannerisms of some of the League members are different - but take it for what it is and enjoy the story.

I give it an 8.5 (-1.5) just for the simple fact Batman isn't played by Kevin Conroy.

DC keeps making hits after hits for DC animated movies and shows which Marvel cant compete in.

The story was good with a well done adaptation of a couple of different dc comic books which were the original crisis on Two Earths. And you know it was the classic villains vs heroes scenario. It was action packed the pace was nicely done but a bit too fast at times. A lot of funny and great dialogue especially by Batman. The voice acting was very good except for Superman and Batman. Superman's voice was a bit too monotone while Batman's wasn't that dark or brooding.

Overall a good animated movie by DC and probably one of the best DC animated movies back in the 2010s.

Memorable: No Rewatchable: Unlikely..