James Harvey
02-25-2002, 11:01 AM
<font size=+1><b>Justice League Critiqued</font size=+1>
By Anthony Garritano
INTRODUCTION</b>
Did you miss me? Well, regardless I'm back to give you my thoughts on the latest episode of Justice League entitled "War World." Without further adieu, I'll just get right to it.
<b>CRITIQUE</b>
<center><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/01.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-01.jpg width=125 height=94></a><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/02.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-02.jpg width=125 height=94></a><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/03.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-03.jpg width=125 height=94></a><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/04.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-04.jpg width=125 height=94></a></center>
If you're looking for action and wonderfully-animated sequences, "War World" is for you. However, there are some of us who have come to expect more from the show after such great episodes like "Paradise Lost," "The Enemy Below," and "In Blackest Night." This latest episode goes back to the use of a tired, over-used plot, similar to "Secret Origins" in my opinion. In "Secret Origins" we saw the typical nasty aliens come to Earth to conquer the planet and enslave the people only to be defeated by a band of brave heroes story. And in "War World" we have another cliched story of a great guy debased to a mere gladiator who still holds true to his principles and refuses to become a cold-hearted killer, only the great guy in this story is Superman, not Russell Crow. What separates this episode from "Secret Origins" is that at least "Secret Origins" had an objective. "Secret Origins" was used to introduce us to these great heroes and act as a starting point for their fellowship, but with "War World," we're treated to a recycled story for no reason other than to show the world how strong and caring Superman really can be.
Despite all the trite mediocrity of this story, the animation was stellar, the action sequences were well done and Hawkgirl stole the show. The interaction between Hawkgirl and Green Lantern was the high-point for me. When you watch these two hotheads come toe to toe, you know sparks are going to fly because Hawkgirl's aggressive nature simply won't allow her to take Green Lantern's condescending attitude. Amazingly enough, Hawkgirl is so strong willed and strong period that she makes Green Lantern seem like the good cop as she single-handedly throws three aliens through a wall to discover where Superman and the Martian Manhunter have been taken. At the close of her scuffle with the aliens, Green Lantern ensures that one of the crooks stays put by using his ring. At that point, Green Lantern only has to tell the alien that if he doesn't talk he will be left for Hawkgirl to get him to spill what he knows.
<b>CONCLUSION</b>
Unfortunately, aside from Hawkgirl and Green Lantern's scenes together and the overall animation, this episode is rather stale. All violence and no story may make some happy, but not me.
<b>FAN RESPONSE</b>
<center><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/05.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-05.jpg width=125 height=94></a><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/06.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-06.jpg width=125 height=94></a><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/07.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-07.jpg width=125 height=94></a><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/08.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-08.jpg width=125 height=94></a></center>
Below are opinions on the episodes from <b>Justice League</b> fans:
<li>"Good points: It was good to see Superman finally wield some of his strength. Mmm... the fight between Superman and Mongol next week should be much better than his fight with Dragaa this week.
Bad points: Superman's powers still seem watered down. I'd like to see him let loose for once. I dont know if it's the lines or what, but Newburne really struggled with getting any emotion or infliction in his lines (and I've been a Newburne defender).
The Superman/Dragaa fight wasn't all it was cracked up to be. The suspense was lacking and it was also had an overall lack of flow. Go back to STAS where Superman was fighting Kalibak (a similar type of fight in my mind), that was so much more enjoyable to watch than his fight with Dragaa because there was a natural "flow" to the fight, there was suspense. It wasn't just punch. stop. punch. stop. throw rock. stop. blah blah.
Some of the voice acting and dialogue really bugged me. And that goes for almost everyone who spoke. It seemed like they mailed it in at times." -- <b>Failure</b>
<li>"Overall, the story was good. I literally felt like I was watching Gladiator all over again. It was great: bread and circuses. I actually like Mongul now...Cheers to Bruce Timm for making another unlikeable DC villain likeable! As for Draaga...damn. He's cool, plus his voice sounds like Lemmy from Motorhead.
Now, the bad: the animation was poor, poor, POOR! And I'm sick of seeing the same background aliens! We need some new ones! Ones that look better! Please!
Oh, and that did sound like Superman's old music when he flew out of the croc pool. Takes me back..." -- <b>Karkull</b>
<li>"Being one of the more critical fans of the show and being a huge Superman fan I have to say... I liked this ep quite a bit. The dialogue was much improved from prior eps. I think that the voice actors they hired from this ep shows the difference good acting can make. I've really given the show quite a bit of criticism but this ep makes me hope that they are starting to improve and find a groove to continue into a 2nd season (when hopefully we'll get some great writers back). Newburn actually did a good job with Superman's portrayal. Even though he "turned the other cheek" he didn't come off quite as wimpy as past eps and you knew why he didn't get into it with Draga (however you sp it). All in all it was a decent effort. Really good fight scene too!" -- <b>neilf</b>
<center><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/13.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-13.jpg width=125 height=94></a><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/14.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-14.jpg width=125 height=94></a><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/15.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-15.jpg width=125 height=94></a><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/16.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-16.jpg width=125 height=94></a></center>
<li>"This episode really had it all, and should do much to silence the harsher critics on the board (including me). Superman was completely super. Green Lantern used his ring for something other than a blaster and a force-bubble generator. Hawkgirl was her same butt-kicking self, but there was certainly more of her than there has been (not that I'm complaining, of course =8^). The dialogue was clean and fitting, without a clunker in the lot. The reversal where Draaga begins as a thug and is revealed by the end of the episode to be little more than a slave himself." -- <b>Ace The Bathound</b>
For more opinions and critiques on <b>Justice League</b>, go <a href="http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20970">Here</a>. Stay tuned for more Justice League news here at TZN!
By Anthony Garritano
INTRODUCTION</b>
Did you miss me? Well, regardless I'm back to give you my thoughts on the latest episode of Justice League entitled "War World." Without further adieu, I'll just get right to it.
<b>CRITIQUE</b>
<center><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/01.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-01.jpg width=125 height=94></a><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/02.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-02.jpg width=125 height=94></a><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/03.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-03.jpg width=125 height=94></a><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/04.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-04.jpg width=125 height=94></a></center>
If you're looking for action and wonderfully-animated sequences, "War World" is for you. However, there are some of us who have come to expect more from the show after such great episodes like "Paradise Lost," "The Enemy Below," and "In Blackest Night." This latest episode goes back to the use of a tired, over-used plot, similar to "Secret Origins" in my opinion. In "Secret Origins" we saw the typical nasty aliens come to Earth to conquer the planet and enslave the people only to be defeated by a band of brave heroes story. And in "War World" we have another cliched story of a great guy debased to a mere gladiator who still holds true to his principles and refuses to become a cold-hearted killer, only the great guy in this story is Superman, not Russell Crow. What separates this episode from "Secret Origins" is that at least "Secret Origins" had an objective. "Secret Origins" was used to introduce us to these great heroes and act as a starting point for their fellowship, but with "War World," we're treated to a recycled story for no reason other than to show the world how strong and caring Superman really can be.
Despite all the trite mediocrity of this story, the animation was stellar, the action sequences were well done and Hawkgirl stole the show. The interaction between Hawkgirl and Green Lantern was the high-point for me. When you watch these two hotheads come toe to toe, you know sparks are going to fly because Hawkgirl's aggressive nature simply won't allow her to take Green Lantern's condescending attitude. Amazingly enough, Hawkgirl is so strong willed and strong period that she makes Green Lantern seem like the good cop as she single-handedly throws three aliens through a wall to discover where Superman and the Martian Manhunter have been taken. At the close of her scuffle with the aliens, Green Lantern ensures that one of the crooks stays put by using his ring. At that point, Green Lantern only has to tell the alien that if he doesn't talk he will be left for Hawkgirl to get him to spill what he knows.
<b>CONCLUSION</b>
Unfortunately, aside from Hawkgirl and Green Lantern's scenes together and the overall animation, this episode is rather stale. All violence and no story may make some happy, but not me.
<b>FAN RESPONSE</b>
<center><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/05.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-05.jpg width=125 height=94></a><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/06.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-06.jpg width=125 height=94></a><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/07.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-07.jpg width=125 height=94></a><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/08.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-08.jpg width=125 height=94></a></center>
Below are opinions on the episodes from <b>Justice League</b> fans:
<li>"Good points: It was good to see Superman finally wield some of his strength. Mmm... the fight between Superman and Mongol next week should be much better than his fight with Dragaa this week.
Bad points: Superman's powers still seem watered down. I'd like to see him let loose for once. I dont know if it's the lines or what, but Newburne really struggled with getting any emotion or infliction in his lines (and I've been a Newburne defender).
The Superman/Dragaa fight wasn't all it was cracked up to be. The suspense was lacking and it was also had an overall lack of flow. Go back to STAS where Superman was fighting Kalibak (a similar type of fight in my mind), that was so much more enjoyable to watch than his fight with Dragaa because there was a natural "flow" to the fight, there was suspense. It wasn't just punch. stop. punch. stop. throw rock. stop. blah blah.
Some of the voice acting and dialogue really bugged me. And that goes for almost everyone who spoke. It seemed like they mailed it in at times." -- <b>Failure</b>
<li>"Overall, the story was good. I literally felt like I was watching Gladiator all over again. It was great: bread and circuses. I actually like Mongul now...Cheers to Bruce Timm for making another unlikeable DC villain likeable! As for Draaga...damn. He's cool, plus his voice sounds like Lemmy from Motorhead.
Now, the bad: the animation was poor, poor, POOR! And I'm sick of seeing the same background aliens! We need some new ones! Ones that look better! Please!
Oh, and that did sound like Superman's old music when he flew out of the croc pool. Takes me back..." -- <b>Karkull</b>
<li>"Being one of the more critical fans of the show and being a huge Superman fan I have to say... I liked this ep quite a bit. The dialogue was much improved from prior eps. I think that the voice actors they hired from this ep shows the difference good acting can make. I've really given the show quite a bit of criticism but this ep makes me hope that they are starting to improve and find a groove to continue into a 2nd season (when hopefully we'll get some great writers back). Newburn actually did a good job with Superman's portrayal. Even though he "turned the other cheek" he didn't come off quite as wimpy as past eps and you knew why he didn't get into it with Draga (however you sp it). All in all it was a decent effort. Really good fight scene too!" -- <b>neilf</b>
<center><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/13.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-13.jpg width=125 height=94></a><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/14.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-14.jpg width=125 height=94></a><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/15.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-15.jpg width=125 height=94></a><a href=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/16.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://www.toonzone.net/shows/justiceleague/images/episode12c/t-16.jpg width=125 height=94></a></center>
<li>"This episode really had it all, and should do much to silence the harsher critics on the board (including me). Superman was completely super. Green Lantern used his ring for something other than a blaster and a force-bubble generator. Hawkgirl was her same butt-kicking self, but there was certainly more of her than there has been (not that I'm complaining, of course =8^). The dialogue was clean and fitting, without a clunker in the lot. The reversal where Draaga begins as a thug and is revealed by the end of the episode to be little more than a slave himself." -- <b>Ace The Bathound</b>
For more opinions and critiques on <b>Justice League</b>, go <a href="http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20970">Here</a>. Stay tuned for more Justice League news here at TZN!