'Justice League Doom' Review: High Stakes, Huge Battles

by Ryan Rigley

DC Universe's latest original animated movie, "Justice League: Doom," is as close as you're going to get to watching a comic book. Batman, being the brilliant detective that he is, has created contingency plans for each member of the Justice League in case any of them either succumbs to mind control or turns evil for some reason. But when those plans fall into the wrong hands, it could spell the end for the super-powered super group and the entire world.

Loosely based on Mark Waid's "JLA: Tower of Babel," "Doom" is filled with wonderful little surprises that will excite comic book fans and non-comic book fans alike. The film itself is well-written and enjoyable throughout, with a plot that is both clear and concise. Not to mention the fact that it features some of the most awesome heroes DC has to offer: Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Martian Manhunter, Cyborg, and of course, Batman.

Clearly, there are many good reasons to watch this movie. Here are five of them.

» 1. Top Notch Voice Acting

The original "Justice League" cast returns, reprising their roles as the heroes we all know and love. Kevin Conroy, who is by all means the ultimate Batman, once again does a terrific job of portraying the caped crusader. Accompanying Conroy are Tim Daly, Susan Eisenberg, and Carl Lumbly who play Superman, Wonder Woman, and Martian Manhunter respectively. Even Michael Rosenbaum, "Smallville's" Lex Luthor, joins in on the fun as the quick-witted quickster, The Flash. And last, but certainly not least, is Nathan Fillion, who takes up the reigns of Green Lantern after his stint as Hal Jordan in 2011's "Green Lantern: Emerald Knights." Each of these actors seem very accustomed to their roles, which allows for some hilarious back and forth banter and a handful of terrific one-liners.

» 2. High Stakes and Huge Battles

We all know how thorough Batman is when it comes to well... everything. These contigency plans are targeted at each member of the Justice League's physical and psychological weaknesses, making it easy to subdue and/or paralyze them. Just imagine what these plans are capable of when utilized for dastardly purposes. This time around, each member of the Justice League runs the risk of being killed. With enemies that hold personal grudges and equal, if not more, power opposing them, the weight of each battle is heavier than ever before.

» 3. The Legion of Doom

"When we fought before, I broke the bat. This time... I break the man," Bane sneers as he mercilessly beats Bruce Wayne above his parents' empty graves. That's right. Bane is in this movie. So is Metallo, Cheetah, Ma'alefa'ak, Star Sapphire, and Mirror Master. This definitely isn't your grandfather's Legion of Doom. Although they still operate out of a swamp-submerged secret base, fan-favorites like Lex Luthor and Sinestro are nowhere in sight. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing. These Doom newbies prove to be more than capable of taking down their superhero counterparts. Plus, when's the last time you saw Mirror Master in anything?

» 4. Vandal Savage

There's a good chance that not many people have heard of this supervillain before. But rest assured, Vandal Savage is awesome. This new Legion of Doom leader is an immortal conqueror that has been around since before the dawn of man. Gaining his power from a mysterious, glowing meteorite, Savage was once a normal caveman living in what is now known as Sumatra. Throughout his many years on Earth he has gone by many names: Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Vlad the Impaler, Blackbeard, and Jack the Ripper, just to name a few. With time, Savage's faith in mankind has grown weary, along with his sanity. His evil plans include decimating half of the Earth's population, with a powerful solar flare, and then seizing control of the survivors in the midst of all the confusion and terror.

» 5. Batman Rules:

When his fellow Justice League members first discover that the contigency plans belonged to Batman, Superman is quick to state, "None of us would ever do that to you." To which Batman simply replies, "Then you're damn fools." For a normal human without powers of any kind, Batman has always been the smartest and most capable member of the Justice League. He proves that it doesn't take heat-vision, magic alien rings, or super-speed to fight crime. All you need is willpower. And it's clear that Batman has more than enough of that, as he punches his way out of a coffin, after being left for dead, and subsequently saves the day. If you love Batman, then you will love this movie.

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