Justice League: Season Two

After doing three successful shows based on two of the greatest superheroes ever known, what do you do for an encore? You make a show about the greatest superhero team, of course; The Justice League. Unfortunately, season one was not the homerun everyone was expecting. It wasn’t what the fans were hoping for, and interestingly enough, Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Alan Burkett, Glen Murakami and the rest of the crew that brought us the superb Superman, Batman and Batman Beyond shows felt the same way. They knew there was something decidedly lacking with their new show Justice League, and fortunately for fans, they did everything possible to fix those problems for season two. Their efforts certainly paid off, as this is one of the best action/superhero shows on TV. It doesn’t quite live up to the legacy of Batman: The Animated Series, mind you, but then it isn’t really trying to. This is a completely different show, and it’s a lot of fun for geeks and non-geeks of all ages.

One thing that’s immediately evident as you watch this set is just how big these stories are, or should I say epic? Granted, when you put together seven of the greatest heroes in comics, you have to go big, but to say that and to accomplish it are two completely different things. Best of, this time around the show’s creators didn’t rely on Superman getting beat up all the time to convey just how dangerous the situation is (oh no, they took down Superman, our strongest, most invulnerable hero. This is a serious situation/villain/alien species/threat or whatever. It’s kinda like what Star Trek: The Next Generation did with Worf. Every time Worf the Klingon - the strongest member of the crew - was taken down, you knew the villain/alien was really strong and really dangerous). This time around, the writers were more creative. From a team-up between Darkseid and Braniac to a very personal conflict and betrayal to an alternate Justice League called the Justice Lords, the stories in season two are epic and fun. There are also some very nice personal moments that help flesh out the characters. There’s a heartwarming Christmas episode, and several romantic moments between GL (Green Lantern) and Hawk Girl. We also get a hint of romance between Batman and Wonder Woman. Crazy! Without giving anything away, let me also say that the three part season finale is one of the most epic, exciting super hero stories I’ve seen. It plays out like a major motion picture, topping many of the recent live action super hero films to grace the big screen.

The other cool aspect of Justice League is the team aspect. It’s one thing to see these heroes operate solo, but Justice League shows us that even the strongest of heroes needs a little help from their friends. Superman may be the greatest hero the earth has ever known, but even he finds himself in numerous situations where he has to rely on his friends for help. Batman may be the ultimate loner, but even he discovers the value of being a part of a team. No matter how strong or smart we may be, we can never truly go it alone. Despite the great connectedness we have in our modern society, so many people still feel completely alone or like they have to do it all on their own, but that’s not the case. The Bible tells us two very encouraging things: one; God will never leave us for forsake us, so we never have to feel alone, and two; when we follow Christ, we’re surrounded by a huge family made up of the sons and daughters of God who, like the Justice League, will always be there to support us in our time of need. If Superman needs help from his fellow heroes every now and then, who are we to think that we could be any different?

Justice League Season Two contains the same meager extras content as any of the other sets from Batman to Superman, but what little we get is still pretty good. Voices of Justice takes us behind the scenes with the voice actors of the show in a discussion of what it’s like to work on Justice League. We also get an interesting round table with the producers where they talk about how the worked to make season two of Justice League into the show they all know it could be and should be. There are a couple of commentaries spread throughout various episodes, and again, although these commentaries are nice, like with the previous sets, it would be better if there were more of them. Justice League was the first of these shows to be made in the digital era, and it definitely shows. The picture is sharp and clean, and there are some cool CG effects in the show as well. The sound is also top-notch, which is a good thing because it goes a long way in establishing the epic nature of these adventures.

Justice League Season Two does an excellent job of recovering from its so-so first outing, and it ends with a bang. The stories, the action, and to some extent even the drama is all bigger, better and more exciting. If it seems from recent reviews that I find these animated shows more enjoyable than some of the live-action, big-budget movie versions of these heroes, well that’s because I do. In live action versions, it’s always harder to suspend your disbelief at a hero’s amazing feats because its believability is dependent on the special effects. With animation, my mind isn’t constantly gauging whether or not special effects are good enough, it just enjoys the show. Plus, the team that has brought us these shows over the past decade and a half really understand these characters. Of all the geeks that watch the show, they are the geekiest, and it pays off with versions of these beloved characters that ring true. Yes, Justice League is a cartoon, but it isn’t just for kids.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

So matey, what is the price of your soul? Aye, that’s what I said, how much is your soul worth? For you see, that is the question Jack Sparrow (excuse me, Captain Jack Sparrow) must answer in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. In fact, that’s a question we all must face at some point, but a more pressing question is whether or not this Pirates sequel is any good.
Well, let’s examine the facts. First of all, it’s a movie based on a theme park ride. Second of all, it’s a sequel to a movie based on a theme park ride; so does it really have any right to be any good? No. But it is. Much like it’s predecessor, Dead Man’s Chest may surprise a lot of people. I’m not saying that it’s the best film ever made, mind you, nor is it necessarily better than the original, but it’s really much better than it has any right to be.

The entire crew has returned for this outing - from director to writers to producers to stars to co-stars; even the dog with the keys - and they all seem very comfortable in their roles. Of course, the character that holds everything together is Captain Jack Sparrow, and once again Johnny Depp does a marvelous job with this original rogue. However, everything in this second outing of Pirates has a darker and more serious edge to it. Whereas the first adventure was light and fun and never really took itself too seriously, this time around the adventure is still there, the action is big and fun, the humor is still around, but there’s more at stake, the themes are more serious, and the villains much darker than last. This also true of Sparrow. Although he’s as goofy, sly, deceptive and bit off as ever, he also displays a more serious and contemplative side as he struggles with a very personal conflict in Dead Man’s Chest. This change may be disappointing for fans, and I’m still not sure what to make of the more serious tone of this sequel. I enjoyed the film, but missed the much simpler, lighthearted, swashbuckling ways of the first. Still, Pirates does work as a more serious adventure, it just feels like a different film from the first which never really took itself too seriously.

Part of the reason Dead Man’s Chest is darker and more serious is because of the key to the plot. This time around, the pirates aren’t after treasure like in the first (cursed treasure to be sure, but still merely treasure). No this time Sparrow is on a quest for freedom. Not the freedom one finds with a ship, but freedom from a debt that he owes; a debt he owes to Davy Jones, the debt of his soul. Sparrow tries to swindle, con, buy, manipulate and otherwise pay or manage this debt on his own terms, and as these efforts make up the bulk of what takes place in the movie, I won’t go into any more detail about those efforts except to say they reflect the efforts of us all. We all owe a debt to evil. Just like the crew of Davy Jones, we owe a debt of servitude to evil that we have to pay. However, we won’t be able to talk our way out of it, even if we are as sly or slick as Captain Jack Sparrow, and all the gold of the seven seas wouldn’t be enough to even make a down payment on it. Your soul is priceless, the most valuable item in all the cosmos, which is why evil wants it so much. The good new is, however, that although we may never be able to pay the price we owe, God paid it for us. In fact, the Bible says when Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave for us, He paid double what was owed on our behalf. That’s how much God loves you, and just how valuable you are to Him. So stop looking for a way out of the debt you owe on your own terms, and just accept the gift of freedom that God has paid for your. I think you’ll find life in the service of righteousness to be far preferable to an eternity of servitude on the crew of Davy Jones and his evil minions.

Despite the darker, serious tone of Dead Man’s Chest, I still found it to be one of the best movies I’ve seen this summer. Granted it runs a bit long, and the lighthearted, let’s-not-take-this-too-seriously fun of the first Pirates is missed, Pirates 2 is still a lot of fun. The action is spectacular, and in a summer that’s thus far been filled with some pretty amazing special effects, the effects in this movie have impressed me the most. The make-up and effects done for Davy Jones and his crew is so good you don’t even notice it, and the creature effects for one of the biggest action scenes is absolutely stellar. Industrial Lights and Magic have really outdone themselves this time around. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest has everything you’d expect from a sequel - bigger action, more Jack Sparrow - and few things you wouldn’t - more serious tone, much darker edge to it. It’s really the Empire Strikes Back of the series. In fact, it pretty much follows the plot outline for that movie verbatim. While it may not be any sort of milestone in film history (as most of the reviews have illustrated thus far), it’s still much better than many have given it credit for, and it’s much better than any sequel to a movie based on the theme park ride should. Like the ride, it’s a lot of fun and good time, but this time it really wants to be taken as a serious adventure. While Pirates does work as a more serious film, I miss the let’s-just-have-fun attitude of the first. Still, I’m looking forward to how this wild ride will end next year when our heroes journey to The Ends of the Earth. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead’s Man Chest ups the ante in every way possible for a sequel and throws in a few new twists, turns and wrinkles as well. So is say, go ahead and sign on for second tour with Captain Jack Sparrow’s crew; I don’t think you’ll regret it.

Superman: The Animated Series Vol. 3

This is Superman at his best. Superman: The Animated Series Volume 3 has some of the best Superman stories and action you’ll see anywhere; small screen, big screen, or on the printed page. After the first two seasons, the producers fine tuned all the minor problems and enhanced all the things that worked to create one of the best animated shows on TV. It doesn’t quite live up to Batman, but it still outshines just about any other super hero cartoon out there. With Superman enjoying a sudden resurgence in popularity thanks to the new movie, the timing for this release couldn’t be better, and hopefully super-hungry fans will dive in and experience Superman at his best.

Producers Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Glen Murakami and the rest of the crew that were responsible for the bringing us the excellent Batman: The Animated Series went all out for this final season of Superman. The stories were edgier, the action more intense, and the whole show was much more serious. It didn’t become darker, perse, for Superman isn’t a dark character, but there were definitely some dark moments that help set a new standard for Saturday morning cartoons. One of the first on-screen deaths takes place in this set, a moment that forever redefines the character of Superman. We see Superman pushed past his limits by one of Darkseid’s schemes, and the repressed relationship between Superman and Lois finally bubbles to the surface. This set also has some of the most fun episodes of the series. One of my favorites has Batman missing and Superman comes to Gotham to help find him. To do so, he has to impersonate Batman. Seeing Superman dressed in the costume trying to find the right pocket on his utility belt is great fun. We also get to see some sweet guest stars as the seeds are planted for the future Justice League show. Aquaman and Green Lantern make an appearance, as does
Batman and Robin, and of course we get our introduction to Supergirl in this season as well.

One of my favorite parts of the Superman Animated Series has always been its portrayal of Clark Kent. He isn’t the bumbling baffoon as he was portrayed in the Movies, but rather he’s just a genuinely good guy; nice but otherwise unremarkable. I think this works extremely well for the character. Much has been made of Clark’s simple disguise; after all, how could a pair of glasses be enough for anyone not to recognize Superman. What I think the animated show does a good of demonstrating is why the disguise is so effective. In the animated show, Clark is so normal that it would be incomprehensible for one to believe that he’s Superman. After all, Superman is a god-like being who has almost unlimited power, why on Earth would such a being choose to masquerade as a normal human being. That’s the genius of the Clark’s disguise, and especially when his character is a kind, average, unassuming person, it is truly effective. In many ways it reflects the same reason many people can’t accept Jesus as God. Why would immortal God lower Himself to the state of mortal being; even to the point of allowing said mortal beings to kill Him? It’s completely irrational to our minds. But unlike Superman, Jesus wasn’t God trying to disguise Himself, rather He was trying to reveal Himself to mankind; a difficult concept to be sure, but one that ultimately leads to freedom and life.

Unfortunately, Vol.3 follows in the footsteps of previous sets by not offering up enough extras. While we do get some excellent commentaries from the producers, I would have enjoyed a few more on episodes such as “Knight Time� where Superman dresses up as Batman or on the episodes where we get a glimpse of some of the other future League members. “Superman: Behind the Cape� is an enjoyable roundtable discussion with the producers in a comic shop (geek heaven) and it gives some great insights into the direction the show’s creators wanted to take with this final season. We also get some brief excerpt from the new documentary Look, Up in the Sky from director Bryan Singer, but seeing as how this extra is on just about every Superman release in the past month, it doesn’t really feel all that special. We also get a preview of the new direct-to-video Superman movie Brainiac Attacks, which quite frankly shows just how good this show is when compared to other efforts.

Compared to some of the early Batman sets, Superman: The Animated Series Volume 3 looks pretty good. The picture is much cleaner than in previous sets, and some of the animation looks pretty amazing considering this was still before the time of digital effects. The set is also presented in Dolby Digital, so it sounds great. From explosions to punches to dialogue, everything sounds crisp and clear.
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Although most people are currently enamored with the new movie version of Superman, it would be a shame to dismiss Superman: The Animated Series 3 as not being worth the time to view it just because it’s a cartoon. As with the Batman series, Vol 3 of Superman shows that an animated show can be apart of the Saturday morning line-up without necessarily being just for kids. Fans of all ages will enjoy this Superman who, in my mind at least, is the defining standard for every other interpretation of Superman.