Movie: Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox
Director: Jay Oliva
Voice Cast: Justin Chambers (Flash); Kevin McKidd/ Kevin Conroy (Batman); Cary Elwes (Aquaman); Michael B Jordan (Cyborg); Vanessa Marshall (Wonder Woman)
Rating: ****
Flashpoint, one of the most exciting story arcs from the house of DC Comics is brought to life on the screen by director Jay Oliva in “Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox”. Oliva whose previous credits include co-working on the storyboard of Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel”, does a good job of turning over 20 issues of comic book material into a 90 min animation flick.
The story, as in the print version revolves around how Barry Allen/Flash after a usual night of rounding up bad guys wakes up the next day to a dystopian nightmarish world, with Wonder Woman’s Amazons declaring war against Aquaman’s Atlanteans. Barry comes to understand he is stuck in an alternate reality, one where there is no Justice League, Superman was never discovered and he never attained his Flash powers. Racing against time Barry rallies his wits to turn things around and with the help of his allies prevent a war that will result in the end of existence as we know it.
The movie is filled with action and the occasional humor that is expected of the DC Universe. The voice acting is great from DC veterans Kevin Conroy, Cary Elwes and Nathna Fillion, as well as first timers Justin Chambers (Grey’s Anatomy’s Dr. Alex Karev), Kevin McKidd and Michael B Jordan.
Oliva does a good job of editing the excess parts from the comic storyline adding just the right elements to create a seamless albeit edited version of the story. Although he does edit out some of the important but lesser known heroes who play a vital part in the storyline such as Booster Gold.
Also missing is the angle which shows how the three DC Universes (DC, Vertigo and Wildstorm) are merged through the events of Flashpoint. However these were important with respect to the comics (with DC re launching all their titles) the same cannot be said of the movie which was more of a stand-alone title. However the ending does show Flash and Batman in their New 52 outfits, suggesting DCs animated universe has also undergone the reboot the comics went through. This makes the next title from the studios “Justice League: War” even more anticipative.
With a racy and gripping story-line that leaves viewers hanging onto the edge of their seats, Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox is an entertaining must watch for all Hardcore DC fans who have loved the comics as well as fans of the larger DC Universe.
Review by Amer Qasim