Justice League vs. Fatal Five (Spoilers, I guess)

[DochaDocha]

Just got around to watching this movie. It borrows many designs from JLU, and even brings back the old cast (Conroy, Newbern, Eisenberg, etc.). However, it doesn't really feel like it's in continuity with JLU and the rest of the DCAU in the sense that there are no callbacks to Supergirl's joining the Legion, no references to the Legion's first appearance in the DCAU (meeting teenage Clark Kent in Smallville), and I think they changed some of the designs of the Legion members (though Emerald Empress looks similar).

Anyone else see this? As for me, I'm a bit disappointed in the lack of Superfamily connection to the Legion. Also, it kind of follows the formula of a lot of recent Justice League movies: the team can't really do much to save the day, so the movie's main characters have to step up, which I'm not too fond of.

Overall, it felt like a 4-part JLU episode: interesting, but not necessarily something I'd be happy to have paid $20 for.

[Robotman]

One of my biggest issues with the movie was Kal having no knowledge of the Legion. Not only are the LoS a big part of the Superman lore but he has actually met them in the Bruce Timm continuity.

[Vordan]

It was ok but basically confirmed to me that I don’t really have much interest in seeing the DCAU again. It was fine for its time but I’ve moved on since then.

[Superlad93]

I dug the hell out of the movie, honestly.

Didn't really mind that Superman didn't know the Legion. This seems to be only borrowing the style of classic Timm stuff rather than putting it in its actual continuity, and I'm cool with that since that continuity is pretty dang old, and they likely don't expect everyone watching this film to be so well-read on it.

Speaking just on Superman in the film: I kind of loved him here. Clearly the most powerful, always looking out for civilians, almost comically matter-of-fact, dry wit, a clear pro, and smart. I would've loved more of him and Mr. Terrific science broing it up. That implied dynamic was fun. And the ending with the race to the sun and Star Boy's sacrifice were great.

Side note: the one thing about the DCAU that always kept me coming back was the interpersonal stuff and the distinct and reasonable flaws of each hero. Its level of verisimilitude remains unmatched, imo. This film's two mains were super endearing because of the continuation of this trend. That said, I think more could've been done with Mr. Terrific and Miss M using the relatively little screen time they got. I'm fine with this move placing Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman in their sort of default state though. Though, it did lead to a slight feeling of dryness to their performances that wasn't present at their apex in JLU (recently found myself really appreciating what Timm and co were going for with Superman's mega arc. Makes me wish we got just one more season of Superman:TAS)

I really, really, really wanna see them do Crisis on Infinite Earths in this style. Make it a two parter and take liberties. Similar to this film, I'd love to be a sort of spiritual companion to the classic DCAU.

[John Venus]

Side note: the one thing about the DCAU that always kept me coming back was the interpersonal stuff and the distinct and reasonable flaws of each hero. Its level of verisimilitude remains unmatched, imo. This film's two mains were super endearing because of the continuation of this trend. That said, I think more could've been done with Mr. Terrific and Miss M using the relatively little screen time they got. I'm fine with this move placing Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman in their sort of default state though. Though, it did lead to a slight feeling of dryness to their performances that wasn't present at their apex in JLU (recently found myself really appreciating what Timm and co were going for with Superman's mega arc. Makes me wish we got just one more season of Superman:TAS)
.

Not to turn this into a JLU thread but I concur. I've been re-watching JL/JLU recently and got a newfound appreciation for that version of Superman. I think it's the best blue print for how to approach the character; Superman's not immune to feelings of hurt, anger, jealousy, confusion and hubris and he is sometimes not fully aware of how other people perceive his actions, but ultimately at the end of the day what makes him Superman is that he realizes his mistakes and tries to do right by everyone. I like the fact that he was the one to break the tie and voted Hawkgirl in and despite going 'Lex flipping Luthor' every now and then, there is a consistent thorough line of him being compassionate towards Lex Luthor, even showing genuine concern for Lex's well being from 'Injustice For All' all the way to the Destroyer series finale. The best way to challenge Superman is to shake him emotionally, something that Darkseid, Lex Luthor, Mongul and even Amanda Waller was able to exploit really well.

Tangent: Looking back I never realized how GL/Hawkgirl/Superman centric JLU was. They got the biggest bite out of the JLU story arc. Batman, Question and Green Arrow got to look cool though.

[lotchj]

Not to turn this into a JLU thread but I concur. I've been re-watching JL/JLU recently and got a newfound appreciation for that version of Superman. I think it's the best blue print for how to approach the character; Superman's not immune to feelings of hurt, anger, jealousy, confusion and hubris and he is sometimes not fully aware of how other people perceive his actions, but ultimately at the end of the day what makes him Superman is that he realizes his mistakes and tries to do right by everyone. I like the fact that he was the one to break the tie and voted Hawkgirl in and despite going 'Lex flipping Luthor' every now and then, there is a consistent thorough line of him being compassionate towards Lex Luthor, even showing genuine concern for Lex's well being from 'Injustice For All' all the way to the Destroyer series finale. The best way to challenge Superman is to shake him emotionally, something that Darkseid, Lex Luthor, Mongul and even Amanda Waller was able to exploit really well.

Tangent: Looking back I never realized how GL/Hawkgirl/Superman centric JLU was. They got the biggest bite out of the JLU story arc. Batman, Question and Green Arrow got to look cool though.

I'm a big superman fan!! He is my favorite superhero, the best! But I couldn't watch the JL/JLU superman!! That wasn't superman too me!! They powered him down to much!! Superman lost a lot and couldn't fly in space without a spacesuit!! He struggled holding up a train and a plane!! Everything hurt him!! That not superman!! I couldn't watch that series!! That guy whoever he was, was to weak to be superman!!

[John Venus]

I'm a big superman fan!! He is my favorite superhero, the best! But I couldn't watch the JL/JLU superman!! That wasn't superman too me!! They powered him down to much!! Superman lost a lot and couldn't fly in space without a spacesuit!! He struggled holding up a train and a plane!! Everything hurt him!! That not superman!! I couldn't watch that series!! That guy whoever he was, was to weak to be superman!!

lol, some fans can never let this go. Even when Timm and co. painstakingly tried to fix this is in JL S2 and 3 seasons of JLU. I"m pretty sure that even if Timm hand animated a movie set in the DCAU where Superman singlehandedly beats Darkseid, Mongul and Brainiac and said movie got a wide release and became a blockbuster, there will still be people complaining about their JL S1 goofs.

Anyway, I was talking more about his characterization in the JL series. I'm mostly fine with how his abilities were depicted especially from JL S2 forward.

[RickWJ324]

According to Timm, it's DCAU continuity if you want it to but you can disregard it as non-canon if you want it to. His stated preference is that it's DCAU but if people don't like it they can always mentally divorce it from the DCAU continuity. In his own words, even the DCAU wasn't consistent and had gaffes in continuity.

Good to know! Honestly I don't care enough about the movie to consider it canon or not. It's definitely a weak entry in the series.

Not to turn this into a JLU thread but I concur. I've been re-watching JL/JLU recently and got a newfound appreciation for that version of Superman. I think it's the best blue print for how to approach the character; Superman's not immune to feelings of hurt, anger, jealousy, confusion and hubris and he is sometimes not fully aware of how other people perceive his actions, but ultimately at the end of the day what makes him Superman is that he realizes his mistakes and tries to do right by everyone. I like the fact that he was the one to break the tie and voted Hawkgirl in and despite going 'Lex flipping Luthor' every now and then, there is a consistent thorough line of him being compassionate towards Lex Luthor, even showing genuine concern for Lex's well being from 'Injustice For All' all the way to the Destroyer series finale. The best way to challenge Superman is to shake him emotionally, something that Darkseid, Lex Luthor, Mongul and even Amanda Waller was able to exploit really well.

Tangent: Looking back I never realized how GL/Hawkgirl/Superman centric JLU was. They got the biggest bite out of the JLU story arc. Batman, Question and Green Arrow got to look cool though.

I really loved all of the character portrayals in JL/JLU. I thought they did a fantastic job with Superman!

PS...did anyone claim the digital copy I posted above?? I've thought about posting others, but it doesn't seem like anyone is interested.

[Comic-Reader Lad]

Good to know! Honestly I don't care enough about the movie to consider it canon or not. It's definitely a weak entry in the series.



I really loved all of the character portrayals in JL/JLU. I thought they did a fantastic job with Superman!

PS...did anyone claim the digital copy I posted above?? I've thought about posting others, but it doesn't seem like anyone is interested.

I just tried it to see if anyone had taken it, and I got an "Invalid Code" message, so I guess someone redeemed it.

Feel free to post others you have.

[magha_regulus]

One of my biggest issues with the movie was Kal having no knowledge of the Legion. Not only are the LoS a big part of the Superman lore but he has actually met them in the Bruce Timm continuity.

That's pitiful! I haven't seen it yet, and don't think I'll like it based off of this fact. The Legion is one of my favorite concepts in comics specifically because of their ties to Superman. I can't get behind this direction. Not my cup of tea. Hopefully others enjoy it though.

[Superlad93]

he has actually met them in the Bruce Timm continuity.

Just wanna point out that the episode you're talking about Clark also gets his mind erased.

And given that Mr. Terrific seems some what new to the team--if you really, really wanna put this in the DCAU continuity--so this is likely before JLU, thus Supergirl hasn't gone off with the Legion yet. So that means Clark would be the only one who has seen the Legion, but he wouldn't remember, and they likely won't remind him.

In my opinion, not that big of a deal since it wasn't at all the aim of the film.

[Comic-Reader Lad]

I liked the movie, but didn't love it because it felt a little unfocused. Was this Jessica's movie? Miss Martian's? Star Boy's? None of the three was compelling.

There were large parts where it was just Jessica Cruz, but I was never sold on her being the star or her character arc in learning to believe in herself. It was too pat and undersold.

I don't understand why Miss Martian was in this movie. She didn't really get a wow moment, and we didn't need to see another young, insecure female.

The plot was kind of basic: Fatal Five travels back to the present to free Emerald Empress and Validus from Oa. That's it.

I did like Star Boy calling Jessica "Limelight." It's cute and would be a good superhero name for her in the comics.

[DochaDocha]

I'm a fan of JLU, but I'm not a huge fan of the continuity itself, if that makes sense. So, if it's not in continuity with the series, I don't mind. That continuity is one that I don't care to see resurrected.

I do think not making a strong tie-in between the Supers and the Legion is a missed opportunity. It almost feels like what's the point?

I would also agree that the movie feels largely unfocused. Superman is kind of cool in the movie, in the sense that they give a lot of slight nods to how powerful he is, but he doesn't really do a lot.

[AnakinFlair]

Having just watched this, I thought it was a very good story. My only real problem was Wonder Woman basically harassing Jessica into joining the League, just because she's the new Green Lantern on the block. No means no, Diana.