"Justice League Unlimited: Saving The World" DVD Talkback (Spoilers)

[James Harvey]

The first episodic single-disc Justice League Unlimited DVD release for the first season is on shelves!


http://wf.toonzone.net/WF/jlu/DVD/savingtheworld/t-back.jpghttp://wf.toonzone.net/WF/jlu/DVD/savingtheworld/t-cover.jpg (http://wf.toonzone.net/WF/jlu/DVD/savingtheworld/)

Synopsis: Three new episodes from the most famous superhero library, DC Comics, available for the first time on DVD. First, "Initiation": A reluctant Green Arrow joins forces with the new Justice League to stop a rampaging nuclear monster in Asia. Then, "Hawk and Dove": Wonder Woman teams up with super-powered two brothers, one warlike, the other a pacifist, to stop Ares's plans to escalate a European civil war into World War III. Finally, "Kid Stuff": Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern are transformed into eight year olds in a desperate attempt to save the world from the magics of Mordred.

Please post all discussions, comments, etc, about the DVD here! Discuss the following episodes featured on the DVD in the links provided below:

#5. Kid Stuff (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=119057)
#3. Hawk and Dove (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=119710)
#1. Initiation (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=117779)

Comments?

Note: If you don't plan on buying these, then please refrain from posting in this thread. We appreciate and encourage discussion, but one-line posts of "This is a waste of money, I'm not buying it," "It looks cool, but I can't get it until next week," etc, are not needed. We'd like to see actual discussion and real comments from those who purchased this release, or intend to, not insulting remarks. We all know this is a substandard release, but there is no reason to litter the thread with endless barking.

[efumf]

The back of the box says the episodes are in their original aspect ratio, which is 16:9, right?

*realises that's probably not the case* :sad:

[adoptedBatpuppy]

Unfortunately, I'm not sure. I only wish WB put more episodes on that disc, like they did with Static Shock and Teen Titans. I have yet to buy this DVD! :sad:

[NIGHTWING_23]

I just picked it up and I really wouldn't recommend this DVD unless you liked the episodes. The Special Features are really lame with no words from the creative team. All they give us is a stupid Save Gorilla City Challenge that doesn't even belong on the DVD and a set of Justice League superhero files similar to what was on one of the other DVD's except with GA, Cpt Atom, Supergirl, Hawk and Dove. And then along with that a couple of shorts that have nothing to do with JLU. It was a big waste of money and if they keep coming out with DVDs like this I won't be buying anymore.

1/2

[efumf]

If Saving the World is in 4:3, then what's written on the box could be perceived as false advertising :anime: The "original exhibition" was 16:9 after all. Are the previous JL single disk releases in widescreen?

[Silverbolt]

If Saving the World is in 4:3, then what's written on the box could be perceived as false advertising :anime: The "original exhibition" was 16:9 after all. Are the previous JL single disk releases in widescreen?
I know Starcrossed is, don't think the other four are though. I'll be skipping this disk especially since its out of order, and seemed to pick only the episodes that I particularly didn't care for. I am surprised that they went the three episode route with it when all the other non "movie" releases have had four.

[DisneyBoy]

Justice League season two and onward were animated in widescreen format (and then zoomed in on to create the fullscreen airings), whereas season one was animated in fullscreen, even though it was storyboarded in widescreen. A 'faux' widescreen effect was created for certain airings by placing black bars over the top and bottom of the image.


Why wouldn't WB just place episodes in their order for this release? Makes no sense to me. Just going to wait for boxsets.

[bobspoland]

why dont they just release a box set of all the seasons. i would buy that. collecters edition or something. to be honest the only dvd worth buying is "starcrossed"

[efumf]

A 'faux' widescreen effect was created for certain airings by placing black bars over the top and bottom of the image. That's not "faux", that's Open Matte. A lot of movies and shows are shot with 4:3 cameras, but composed for widescreen. Example - see John Cleese's shorts (http://www.rexer.com/cine/oar.htm). Anyway, that has nothing to do with JLU, which was storyboarded and aired in 16:9. :anime:

[Bird Boy]

Hey...the last four posts in this thread have nothing to do with what people think about this disc or what's on it. I don't nkow why we put the warning in the opening of the thread, no one seems to freakin' read it.

Now that I've blown up at you all--just a bit of confirmation: it is full-screen. This release is officially the worst DCAU DVD that WHV has ever released.

-BB

[FunTurtle]

The only thing on this DVD worth anything is Kids Stuff...and I have that on VHS tape :sad: In fact, I can fit FIVE episodes on a tape. friggin dvds with their three.

[Bones Justice]

I haven't bought this disc yet but I will. I'm not entirely happy with the number of episodes but at least it's cheap. I can't see it really hurting me in the long run if box sets appear later. At least I can watch it now. I like to think that buying it will encourage WB to make more discs, too.

Initiation is the episode I really want. I never gave a character like Green Arrow much thought before this episode. I enjoyed this story a lot from the character interaction to the characters in action. I also thought their foe was interesting.

Hawk and Dove was an okay episode. I think the thing I'm least impressed by in this episode is the heroes. These guys are kind of boring, really. I did like the idea of the JLU getting involved with a human war but that was mucked up by having an unearthly motivation behind it. I just wish they would stop relying on magical enemies time and again.

Kid Stuff is one of the reasons I am annoyed with JLU. In general, the original JL was "serious" in it's approach to conflicts. An episode like Kid Stuff once a season is more than enough. They've just had far too many comical or outright silly episodes in season 1. Leave that stuff for TT or Superfriends.

Anyways, I'll most likely throw this in the cart the next time I'm at the local mega-store. Barely a blip on the receipt at these prices. I don't see any need to make a special trip or pre-order something like this, afterall.

[DisneyBoy]

Bones I admire your willingness to "show support" as you put it. Lord knows I don't have the money to spend on anything other than box sets.

But as for the comedic episodes, don't knock 'em :) Kids Stuff is much more than mere jokes and witty banter. Mordred and Morgan Le Fey's story arcs, begun in Season two of JL, come to a clever conclusion given how hard she fought for her son to gain ultimate power. Plus the animation is great, and we get a look at the heroes younger selves. Don't tell me you didn't love seeing how energetic and good-natured young John Stewart was...and all those crazy constructs? That was fun.

I know this episode bears more of a resemblance to Teen Titans, but that should hardly be held against it, seeing as how it didn't even attempt something like this in the first two seasons. Besides, I'd much rather have a clever "fun" episode than predictable "serious" one. Hawk and Dove is case in point, but if you need a JL example, The Terror Beyond comes to mind. Yikes that was a mess.

Anyhoo, I'm definately not buying this.

[A.J]

I bought it yesterday from Amazon. I totally hate the release but cant help it :( I live in Costa Rica and since Cartoon Network Latino is still NOT airing JLU this is the only way i can see the episodes...at least for now...anyway i will give you guys a deep review later on when it gets to my hands :sweat:

[Robin]

This release is officially the worst DCAU DVD that WHV has ever released. I might have to agree with you there. It's surprising to get a DVD like this when we just got those great Batman and Superman DVDs a couple weeks ago. I found the DVD for really cheap and, against my better judgement, I picked it up. The extras are terrible and the fullscreen format really kills the release. I think this is not only the worst DCAU DVD ever released, but the most worthless release, too. WHV really screwed up on this DVD.

[Bleu Unicorn]

Now that I've blown up at you all--just a bit of confirmation: it is full-screen. This release is officially the worst DCAU DVD that WHV has ever released.
When I first heard about this release, I was pretty excited since "Kid Stuff" is such a great episode. Then I heard it was some out-of-order episodes. Only three to boot. And in fullscreen to top it off! Who would ever want to purchase this?

I can't understand why they would release this in fullscreen given the format of the show, first of all. And then to compound it with only three episodes and some throwaway extras. I hope they don't figure poor sales of this worthless and horrible release as a reflection of whether or not to do a box set of JL or JLU because that will just break my heart in a million pieces.

Please lets hope this release doesn't become a staple of WHV releases for DCAU.

[A.J]

i guess this is a release meant for kids since it comes from WARNER KIDS :yawn: ... maybe that may explain the episodes being Fullscreen, etc

[Bleu Unicorn]

i guess this is a release meant for kids since it comes from WARNER KIDS :yawn: ... maybe that may explain the episodes being Fullscreen, etc
That doesn't mean anything - the TT releases and the last JL release were also from Warner Kids. That's like saying because the show is geared to a demo that I'm not in I shouldn't enjoy it!

[adoptedBatpuppy]

why dont they just release a box set of all the seasons. i would buy that. collecters edition or something. to be honest the only dvd worth buying is "starcrossed"
You will wait a long time for dvd season sets to come out! Yes, I own Starcrossed and it's a great DVD! :cool:

[John Cage]

I have to say that as a Justice League nut I'm serious on the fence about buying this. I've picked up all the other releases and I'd hate to have a hole, to say nothing of being able to see the episodes on DVD and at my leisure, but I'm probably going to pass on this unless I can find a cheap copy. I'm considering just renting this though, but then the voice in the back of my head that stops me from buying this chimes in, "It's only three episodes."

I cannot wait for a box set. I mean, I have all the individual releases, and I'd still buy it the first day.

Have a good day then.
John Cage
(Mystery Man)

[Squall]

I bought this DVD last weekend just for the heck of it. After all, I told myself, I have a friend who has a toddler son I can give it to if I don't like it.

Well, guess what? My friend's son will soon have a new DVD!

This DVD was horrible. First, it only has three episodes, when it should have at least 6 or 7; second, except for "Initiation", which is basically required as it's a pilot (but it's a pretty good episode too), the other two episodes are episodes I'd never wanted on DVD anyway. I was going to say, "At least the cover art & backside art is nice!" -- but then I noticed that on the cover Green Arrow is aiming an arrow without a bow.

Even if Warner Bros. decides to release DVDs with only selected episodes of its modern DCAU shows, why does it have a talent for typically choosing the worst episodes of the bunch? Personally, I would have put these episodes from JLU Season 1 on this DVD:

"Initiation"
"Fearful Symmetry"
"The Return"
"Ultimatum"
"Dark Heart"
"Wake The Dead"

I would save "The Once And Future Thing" two parter for a special DVD -- the Batman Beyond/Justice League crossover DVD! :D It would feature the following episodes, and include a bonus Static Shock episode!

BB "The Call" Part I
BB "The Call" Part II
JLU "The Once And Future Thing" Part I
JLU "The Once And Future Thing" Part II
SS "Future Shock"

[Bones Justice]

So far I haven't seen this disc on the shelf. At the megamart yesterday, I saw that they still have a few copies of Starcrossed and that's it. I already own that one (along with Secret Origins) since I missed it on TV. This store is usually very good at hitting release dates but when I asked, they said they didn't even have it in the computer.

Looking in their bargain bin, I saw that they had a ton of Justice On Trial so I bought one. It was kind of depressing to see that there were more copies of Justice On Trial in there than copies of Pluto Nash or Battlefield Earth. Perhaps that's why they are not carrying the new disc at all.

As for the episodes, I just didn't enjoy Kid Stuff at all. I give them credit for coming up with a clever way of making them kids but I just didn't care for it. I'm not really big on magic villains anyways since often the solution is far too random. I'd really like to see Initiation again so I still plan on buying the disc if I see it somewhere. I am curious as to their choice of episodes -- isn't this skipping one? Superman's birthday episode was number two or three, wasn't it? Perhaps they thought it was too violent for a kid's release.

I've got nothing against someone waiting for boxsets but what is the estimate on those? Are we talking a year or is it years? It sounds like nobody even knows at this point. They don't re-run Justice League at all and re-runs of JLU are slim and none now. Meanwhile, stuff like Cowboy Bebop is re-run to death even though you can easily buy the boxset.

[Supremus]

I am curious as to their choice of episodes -- isn't this skipping one? Superman's birthday episode was number two or three, wasn't it? Perhaps they thought it was too violent for a kid's release.I seem to remember FTMWHE was scheduled to air as the 4th or 5th episode, but it was moved up for whatever reason, so they might be releasing the episodes in the order they were originally intended to air. I don't know if that is the same as the production order.

[EJill34]

I seem to remember FTMWHE was scheduled to air as the 4th or 5th episode, but it was moved up for whatever reason, so they might be releasing the episodes in the order they were originally intended to air. I don't know if that is the same as the production order.I know for a fact that "FTMWHE" is #2 in production order and was always #2 in airdate order. All the episodes after that (up to and including "Return") were shifted somehow.

[JLAgent]

New around here- i'm a big fan of Justice League but disappointed
that WHV hasn't put out any worthy DVD other than STARCROSSED.

They should at least give us the complete first season by now, no? :sad:

[Supremus]

I know for a fact that "FTMWHE" is #2 in production order and was always #2 in airdate order. All the episodes after that (up to and including "Return") were shifted somehow.Maybe I remember it wrong, tehn. I was just sure that I was bummed about the Hawk & Dove episode coming up, and then suddenly it was FTMWHE instead, but maybe I just imagined it.

[EJill34]

Maybe I remember it wrong, tehn. I was just sure that I was bummed about the Hawk & Dove episode coming up, and then suddenly it was FTMWHE instead, but maybe I just imagined it.
Yeah, I could see why you'd be bummed about "Hawk and Dove." It had a pretty misleading summary too; didn't it say something about a third World War?

[Squall]

New around here- i'm a big fan of Justice League but disappointed
that WHV hasn't put out any worthy DVD other than STARCROSSED.

They should at least give us the complete first season by now, no? :sad:
Well, Justice League has had two good DVDs so far -- "Secret Origins" and "Starcrossed". I liked how they combined all three parts into a full-length movie.

Now, what they need to do with the rest of the series -- if there's not going to be box sets (which there'd better be!), then at least they can release disks with 6 episodes (three two-parters) per disk, and put the three-parters (the only one yet to be released is "The Savage Time") on seperate disks. For example, Disk #2 after "Secret Origins" should be:

Justice League Disk #2:
"In Blackest Night"
"The Enemy Below"
"Injustice For All"

And these two parters should have their 'parts' removed like the three-parters have; each should be released as a one hour mini-movie, not split into Parts I and II...

[JLAgent]

Forgot about "Secret Origins".

At this point i'd rather they just put out the full first season of JL
including the season finale,"The Savage Time".

[Bones Justice]

Well, Justice League has had two good DVDs so far -- "Secret Origins" and "Starcrossed". I liked how they combined all three parts into a full-length movie.

Now, what they need to do with the rest of the series -- if there's not going to be box sets (which there'd better be!), then at least they can release disks with 6 episodes (three two-parters) per disk, and put the three-parters (the only one yet to be released is "The Savage Time") on seperate disks. For example, Disk #2 after "Secret Origins" should be:

Justice League Disk #2:
"In Blackest Night"
"The Enemy Below"
"Injustice For All"

And these two parters should have their 'parts' removed like the three-parters have; each should be released as a one hour mini-movie, not split into Parts I and II...
I agree with you on this. I'd add that they could put the Christmas episode on the same disc as The Savage Time, though, since it was only a half hour. They'd still have room for another two-part episode since that would only take up two hours of the disc, also.

I thought Secret Origins and Starcrossed were two great episodes. I think Initiation had a similar feel as an epic story even though it was not as long.

I can't see any good reason why they are not releasing Justice League or even JLU on DVD already. Other shows release right after the season is over. I have yet to hear of any extras that made it worth waiting indefinitely. Most, if not all, of the extra material has been revealed on past releases or in interviews anyways.

[Bleu Unicorn]

I know for a fact that "FTMWHE" is #2 in production order and was always #2 in airdate order. All the episodes after that (up to and including "Return") were shifted somehow.
I can second that statement. I remember reviewing the episode - "Kid Stuff" is the fifth episode, but aired third, though.

[Bones Justice]

I did some casual shopping yesterday. After several stores, I still did not see "Saving The World" on DVD anywhere. I did find a few other Justice League titles, some of which I already owned. I didn't buy any of them since they were $15 each which seemed a bit expensive compared to what I know I could pay online.

Anyways, what is with "Saving The World"? Is it selling so well that it's sold out everywhere? Or perhaps no one is bothering to carry the disc. I noticed that Deep Discount does not even list it.