Fanboys Anonymous

Welcome to the latest edition of Making the Grade—a review format segment here on Fanboys Anonymous where we break down the major components of something and give it a score based on the standard report card lineup: A, B, C, D, and F for a total failure.

The next report card is for possibly the end of the DC Animated Movie Universe, entitled Justice League Dark: Apokolips War, based on The Darkseid War storyline. Is it worth the watch, or should it be skipped?

Justice League Dark: Apokolips War
Directed by Matt Peters and Christina Sotta
Written by Ernie Altbacker (screenplay) and Mairghread Scott (story)

STARRING: Jason O'Mara (Bruce Wayne / Batman), Matt Ryan (John Constantine), Jerry O'Connell (Kal-El / Clark Kent / Superman), Taissa Farmiga (Raven), Stuart Allan (Damian Wayne / Robin), Tony Todd (Darkseid), Rosario Dawson (Diana Prince / Wonder Woman), Shemar Moore (Victor Stone / Cyborg), Rebecca Romijn (Lois Lane), Rainn Wilson (Lex Luthor) with Nathan Fillion (Hal Jordan / Green Lantern), Sean Astin (Billy Batson / Shazam), Jon Bernthal (Trigon) and many, many more

STORY: C–

So here's the thing. There isn't all that much actual story here. It's just that everything went to hell and they have to reboot the universe.

With that being said, it's still fun and interesting to see a world where it all ends and they can reset those dead characters and such. We rarely get a chance to watch characters meet their maker and progress in different ways.

As a story itself, it's lackluster. As an end to this series, it's okay. As a one-shot story board, in some sense, it's lots of fun.

CHARACTERS: B–

Most characters are on-beat from what they should be. I'm a fan of Damian Wayne turning into the new Ra's al Ghul, for instance. Batman overcoming his corruption was another noteworthy touch that had to happen. Even the idea that Lex Luthor would be working both sides is the way to go.

But it was still odd to see how so many characters, for the purpose of this story, had to stop acting like themselves. That throws things off a bit. Lots of people who should have put up better fights were nerfed. For instance, why did the Green Lantern Corps take 2 years and an attack on Oa to get off their asses?

TONE / ATMOSPHERE: A–

ACTION: Rock solid. Much more brutal than I anticipated.

DRAMA: You can't go wrong with the end of the world as far as stakes go.

COMEDY: No real chuckles, but that's not supposed to be the case with this movie.

ROMANCE: Lois and Clark had the proper relationship going.


ACTING: B+

Tony Todd is an underwhelming Darkseid to say the least. That voice just doesn't suit that character for my tastes. Everyone else was pretty spot on.

VISUALS (FX, MAKEUP, COSTUMES, SETS): A

I'm a fan of this visual style. I've repeated that over and over again. No complaints.

AUDIO (MUSIC / SOUND): B

Nothing memorable. Nothing stood out as great or awful. It was what it was.

• Why is Batman in his blue cape and cowl?
• Doomsday/Parademon hybrids? Yeeeesh. Aquaman cut in half? Damn. Of course J'onn gets caught on fire. He always does. Cyborg always loses limbs, too. Didn't expect that with Diana's arm, though.
• Batman converted into a new Metron of sorts? Cool idea. Also glad they alluded to how Lex Luthor would've been another option.
• "Oh for fuck's sake." - Raven getting an F bomb. Wow.
• I guess Luthor is more of a Desaad?
• Some good cameos in the Stryker's Island fight scene.
• "King Shark is a shark." - Are you just trying to be Groot?

GRADE: B+ (Pass)

As stated above, this is far from the strongest movie by itself, but it was an interesting end to this series. I'm a big fan of how they ended it with a new Flashpoint, as these types of reboots should always end in a Crisis type Flash reset of sorts. That was a good nod. I'm excited to see what this team works on next, if they decide to keep making animated films outside of the same running continuity.