‘Justice League Dark: Apokolips War’ Review- That’s How You End A Franchise

The fifteenth and final entry into the DC Animated Movie Universe (DCAMU) is ‘Justice League Dark: Apokolips War,’ directed by Matt Peters and Christina Sotta. It is based on the DC Comics New 52 timeline and released through Warner Bros. Animation.

John Constantine (Matt Ryan) and Zatanna (Camilla Luddington) have joined the Justice League, though the former is hesitant as Superman (Jerry O’Connell) wants to attack Apokolips before its dictator Darkseid (Tony Todd) can use his parademons to invade Earth. Flash (Christopher Gorham) warns that its a bad idea, considering his “visions” of a Flashpoint. Despite this, the Justice League attacks Apokolips, not realizing that Darkseid has hacked Cyborg (Shemar Moore), learning of their plans and leading the JL to a massacre. Constantine witnesses Zatanna’s death and flees in fear.

Two years later, Darkseid’s force of Paradooms, an amalgam of Parademons and Doomsday, have conquered the Earth. Batman (Jason O’Mara) has been brainwashed into being his chief tactician with the Mobius Chair and Lex Luthor (Rainn Wilson) has surrendered, helping Darkseid mine the Earth’s core to conquer more planets. A depowered Superman and Raven (Taissa Farmiga) find a guilt-ridden Constantine and ask him to help them find Damian Wayne (Stuart Allan), so they can free Batman and the Earth from Darkseid’s grip. At first hesitant, he agrees and works with the surviving Justice Leaguers, Teen Titans, and the Suicide Squad from to free humanity once and for all.

There are very few problems with this movie, but I wanted to mention them early on. First of all, the amount of gore and other adult content was completely unnecessary. I get that the Justice League Dark and Suicide Squad are supposed to be more for adults, but having Teen Titans drop the f-bomb and watching Harley Quinn, voiced by Hynden Walch. sing as she graphically bashes in skulls was a bit much, even for the dark tone. The only other problem I have is that Flash should have had a bigger role. He bookends the story, but once I watched the full length, I felt he should have been involved more with the plot.

With that in mind, I really enjoyed this movie. The plot was well-written and I found it incredibly enthralling. They did a good job of filling in potential potholes and “what ifs” with uncomplicated, but agreeable solutions. For its ensemble cast and character list, they did a good job of keeping it focused, so you don’t get lost. That made for some clever storytelling by the writers who were adapting themes and ideas from the New 52 era of DC Comics.

I also want to praise the voice acting. Jason O’Mara, Tony Todd, Rosario Dawson, Rainn Wilson, Matt Ryan, and Rebecca Romijn as Lois Lane were all at the top of their game as they performed on-screen. Likewise, the character designs and the artwork that came to life through the animation was impressive. Warner Bros. Animation steps up their game when it comes to the DCAMU and always provide quality work when it comes to their comic book-based films and shorts.

Bottom line, Justice League Dark: Apokolips War, while a bit graphic, is an impressive film that perfectly rounds out the DCAMU with its animation, story, and voice acting. I am sad that this film series is over, but I feel that it went out with a bang.

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Bloody violence, Strong foul language, Sexual innuendo

FAVORITE QUOTE: Justice League, we are facing an existential threat to the planet.

Check out the trailer below:

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, movie, or novel you would like me to review. While you are at it, check out my movie reviews of Batman VS. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more posts like this one.

Did you know my new fantasy novel “The Seven Royals: All Good Things” is now available on Barnes and Noble and Amazon? You can get your e-book copy at BookLocker.

You can find me everywhere on social media! Facebook: Author Jacob Airey | Instagram: realjacobairey| Twitter: @realJacobAirey | Parler: RealJacobAirey | YouTube: StudioJake

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