I saw the JL Fight the Fatal Five...

"Justice League vs the Fatal Five" is DC/WB's newest animated feature: a time-traveling, titanic clash between good and bad, delivered by a tested trio:  producer Bruce Timm, director Sam Liu and scriptwriter Alan Burnett. 

The premise: Five, super-terrorists from the future drop back in time to snuff out our present-day superheroes and terminate the human race. The vanguard consists of Emerald Empress, Tharok, Mano, the Persuader and Validus. (The beguiled Bloodsport guest stars in the mayhem's early phase, but doesn't link to the invaders. Various Arkham personas also cameo.) 

Fresh faces figure into the conflict: Miss Martian, Saturn Girl, Mister Terrific and Jessica Cruz, Limelight of the Green Lantern Corp. Star Boy, aka Tom Kallon also occupies the action in an absorbing but complicated way.  These fine folks assist the JL in the struggle, led by (no surprise) Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. (In the process, Batman takes a fatherly shining to Miss Martian, making them this chapter's official, dynamic duo.)

Focus ultimately falls on Star Boy, who proves himself a power-pulsing, black-suited enigma, but is cool enough when in the JL's grasp, despite his erratic outbursts.  

In the process, Star Boy comes to terms with his origin. Though the staging is "12 Monkeys" anguish-wracked, it's more convincing and satisfying than any self-discovery found in Marvel's "Captain Marvel".  (With the latter, we're talkin' a longer, no-excuse-to-cut-corners, theatrical feature, too.) 

The drawback?  "JL vs Fatal Five'"s framework feels a lot like "JL vs Teen Titans" and "JL Dark", to name but two. If DC's filmmakers want to lengthen and strengthen their acclaimed, animation track record, they might consider rewiring the favorite formula. 

Now, don't misunderstand: The DC mythology (the moral heart of it) shouldn't be tampered with or disrespected: The damn wheel needn't be reinvented here.  It's also evident that not every animated film will reach the melodramatic heights of "Death of Superman" or "Killing Joke". Still, the cozy practice of sameness will dull even the best franchise, and no Best Buy, comes-with-action-figure gift set is gonna change that. 

With that said, "JL vs Fatal Five'"s results should serve their purpose, but let's hope that the ensuing DC/WB animated adventures take things to the next level. 

I saw Glass...

That "Unbreakable" and "Split" should blend isn't a stretch. Their link has long been on the wall of writer/director M. Night Shyamalan's cinematic universe, and in this time of live-action, DC/Marvel crossovers, why not a dexterous, subdued variation: a superhero fable filtered through the character-driven irony of "The Twilight Zone"?

With "Glass", named after Samuel L. Jackson's "Unbreakable" trickster, otherwise known as bone-fragile Elijah Price, our crafty filmmaker presents not only the flamboyant, titular terrorist, but Willis' sometimes hooded, though always valiant David Dunn. There's also James McAvoy's dangerous and anguished Kevin Wendell Crumb, abetted by a Horde of ready-to-rise personalities. These characters ultimately connect at Raven Hill Memorial Hospital, probed for a "cure" of their "alleged" abilities, but no matter what motions their psychologist, Ellie Staple (Sarah "American Horror Story" Paulson) takes, the three are destined to keep different yet overlapping goals.

As a result of their fated teaming, the conniving Mister Glass provokes Wendell's inner Beast, realizing that once this impetuous personality has been sprung, a major revelation will come to the world. As part of this unraveling plot, Dunn must squash Wendell's monstrous portion, but it won't be easy with Shyamalan's ingenious, signature foils. 

It's not just the writer/director's well crafted concept that makes the movie's heart pound, but its consummate leads: each established in previous chapters, but now like fine wine, richer...more matured. Their interactions resonate with urgency and sincerity, even when projected beyond their scope. In fact, the results of their clashing efforts fall right into the lap of "Split'"s Anya Taylor-Joy's Casey Cooke (Anya Taylor-Joy); Dunn's son, Joseph (Spencer Treat Clark) and Price's mom (Charlayne Woodard): for all intents and purposes, sidekicks to accompany the principals' weird, epic journey. 

Like other Shyamalan productions, this one chases the truth, which makes it a morality tale, but then aren't all superhero stories? Shyamalan knows the good-vs-evil deal better than most: how the tipping of the scales can impact lives, whether on a glossy, Hollywood stage or in everyday life. "Glass" emanates from the former, but prospers in the latter, reminding us that the causes of right and wrong, of courage and fear, dwell within the most common crevasses: "Twilight Zone"-ish, indeed. 

To further its intent, "Glass" demonstrates that despite what the story's secret-society scholars proclaim, heroes can rise from out any villainous pit: that no matter how horrid the actions, there's always a helping hand (whether plebeian or preternatural) to right the wrong and reassemble the shards. We only need open our eyes to see the evidence, to accept the truth, which is as clear as glass when we at last focus. In other words, "Glass" helps us see the world through a clear, logical lens, even if that lens hangs upside down.  

"Glass" will be recalled by most for its clever, identifiable delivery. Granted, we've swallowed the movie's concept many times over, but it's been rarely served with as much labyrinthine sophistication or seasoned uber-humanity. 

I saw Teen Titans: The Judas Contract...

"Teen Titans: the Judas Contract" is a quasi followup to the animated crossover, "Teen Titans vs Justice League". Though I was lukewarm at best with the latter, I've found "Judas" (directed by trusty Sam Liu, and adapted by Ernie "Justice League Dark" Altbacker from the George Perez/Marv Wolfman miniseries) to be an edgier, more complex endeavor.

"Judas" deals with betrayal, as its subtitle implies, with its selling-out theme laced by a veritable, religious allegorical vibe. In this instance the devilish twist stems from established, teen member, Terra, an terrain-manipulating mutant, who isn't all she appears to be, as Damian Wayne, our current Robin, soon realizes. (Those who know Terra's history, however, will rapidly recognize what's in store, but then one could argue that the gal's persistent, smart-ass remarks signal the proverbial writing on the wall.)

The young Wayne, though abrasive in previous DC/WB animated movies, is more relaxed in this instance, but no less determined. I must say that at long last I've come to like this Robin, which is surprising, considering how much he rubbed me the wrong way in his previous "Son of Batman" outings. For what it's worth, though, Dick Grayson's Nightwing also makes an appearance, to ensure the youngster stays in check. 

Not to give too much away, it should suffice to say that Terra is linked to Sam Wilson/Deathstroke (vocalized by the late, great Miguel Ferrer, in his final animated feature), who's been recruited by the film's primary villain, a false-prophet named Brother Blood, in hopes of bringing the Titans down. We also learn that Blood and his partner, Mother Mayhem, are hoping to establish Hell on Earth by corralling the insidious minions of H.I.V.E., plus any vapid passerby they might mentally manipulate. Still, with this unholy allegiance riding high off its mad ambitions, why not shoot the works and go straight for the higher-echelon Justice League? Well, it's better to take baby steps, I guess...

That's not to say the Titans (at least in this presentation) are some throwaway, wannabe superhero league. Beyond the cool, calculating Wayne/Robin and the wayward Terra, its dynamic members include Beast Boy; Blue Beetle; Bumblebee; Kid Flash; Raven; Speedy; and Starfire (mostly referred to by her Koriand'r label in this adventure). Each participant is tougher and more focused than in previous incarnations (and yep, that includes the comic scene). 

Be warned: There's a smattering of romance in the proceedings (or is it more insinuated lust?) between Nightwing and Starfire, as well as Deathstroke and Terra, and then Beast Boy and Terra, but only to invigorate a few fleeting scenes. In fact, the amorous elements are restrained enough to make one desire more, proving that action-adventure mush works best when served in tease and never full form.

To lighten the tension (sexual or otherwise), there's a neat Kevin Smith cameo for the geeks, which adds just the right whimsical touch to cap things off. On the other hand, Blood's earlier placed, dry-humored take on the mainstream media is commendable to a fault. Should we be admiring any aspect of such an infuriating bad guy? The additive seems calculated to make a sly, political statement, but in the flow of the film, momentarily backfires, even if it otherwise blends with the character's "mixing truth with lies" agenda.

The climax is exciting (but has any DC/WB animated flick dropped the ball in that regard?), with considerable high-flying kicking and punching: never enough, though, to knock one's socks off, but it all serves its purpose and well flavors the character-developed build-up. The reveal of the film's betrayal, which turns out to be double-edged, is handled with care and consideration, making the film's finale bittersweet, and that's A-okay. 

If more Titan movies can expand upon this basic formula, the series may finally find itself on an ideal course. After all, our young heroes aren't run-of-the-mill millennials and shouldn't be plagued by moments of pretentious, prolonged bonding (like the insipid dance contest we witnessed in their last outing). Our revered Titans merely need conviction, purpose and plan, and as long as films like "Judas" keep surfacing, the team's adventures should be welcomed and long lived.

DC's Legends of Tomorrow...to the Rescue!!!

“Batman v Superman” is yet a couple months away, and the live-action “Justice League” well beyond that. For the time being, we have CW's version of a DC superhero rally, and its television designation doesn’t make it any less significant. In fact, for the sake of its ambitious formula, “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” (premiering Jan 21) should give comic-book and time-travel fans good cause to rejoice.

The “Legends” cast of characters/performers is nothing short of impressive: Ray Palmer/the Atom (Brandon “Superman” Routh); Khufu/Carter Hall/Hawk Man (Falk Hentschel); Chay-Ara/Kendra Saunders/Hawk Girl (Ciara Renee); Sara Lance/White Canary (Caity Lotz); Booster Gold’s time-tripping son, Rip Hunter (Arthur Darvill); Mick Rory/Heat Wave (Dominic Purcell); Leonard Snart/Captain Cold (Wentworth Miller); Jefferson Jackson/Firestorm (Franze Drameh); Dr. Martin Stein/also sometimes Firestorm (Victor Garber); Valentina Vostok (Stephanie Corneliussen); and Hath-Set/Vandal Savage (Casper Crump).  

I’m most pleased by Routh’s prominent station, in that Warner Brothers misled him with the promise of a Superman extension. That he’ll play the size-shifting Atom on an almost weekly basis is at least some means of compensation.

As implied by CW’s already established superhero programs, Flash and Green Arrow are set to make appearances on this new series, which is only right. After all, the whole point of “Legends” is to take the crossover/team-up equation to the max. Of course, I imagine that there will be trade-offs regarding which characters seize any episode’s given focus, but such an approach would only help spread the wealth and give the heroes/villains adequate time to develop and shine as they skid through the years to thwart the merciless Savage.

Yep, I say we're assured a rollicking good time with this one. Now, if only Matt Ryan's Constantine would leap into the mix and Supergirl would soar from CBS to CW, if only just to guest star, we’d have our bases covered!!!