Justice League: Doom (2012)

justice league doom dvd cover
7.0 Overall Score
Story: 7/10
Acting: 7/10
Visuals: 6/10

More developed story than many comic book cartoon films

The art could be stepped up a level for the film

Movie Info

Movie Name:  Justice League:  Doom

Studio:  Warner Bros. Animation

Genre(s):  Animated/Comic Book/Action/Adventure

Release Date(s):  February 28, 2012

MPAA Rating:  PG-13

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So…does anyone have any idea how supervillains got our weakenesses…anyone…Batman, I’m looking at you!

The Justice League takes down the Royal Flush Gang, but don’t realize the real danger is in the Batcave.  When Batman’s secret files on all of the Justice League are stolen by Vandal Savage, Vandal forms the Legion of Doom to help destroy the Justice League.  Now the Justice League’s biggest weaknesses are being used against them, but Vandal has plans of his own that even the Legion of Doom does not know…and it could doom the world!

Directed by Lauren Montgomery, Justice League:  Doom was an adaption of Mark Waid’s JLA Volume 7:  Tower of Babel storyline from JLA #43-46 (July 2000-October 2000).  Following the DC Universe Animated Original Movie Batman:  Year One in 2011, the story was adapted by Dwayne McDuffie to whom the film is dedicated to since McDuffie passed away on February 21, 2011 a year before the film’s release.  The movie was rather well received by critics and fans.

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Yeah!!!! We’re destroying the world!

I enjoyed this DC outing.  Some of the other DC storylines have been a bit weak, but this felt full and fleshed out.  The act of the story in which the Legion of Doom is actually attacking the Justice League is a bit shocking.  The movie has a surprising PG-13 rating which probably is accurate since the movie is relatively violent and a bit more adult than some of the other DC series…though I think most kids could handle it since like many comics no one really dies (despite some serious effort).

The story has been modified to fit the more modern Justice League.  Cyborg is included in the group (he was added to the Justice League in the New 52) and other aspects of the original Tower of Babel story have been changed.   I do find it rather odd that DC reached back to a story that was not a huge wave-maker and decided to adapt it.  It feels like with some of the bigger storylines that have happened in the JLA that would have been more worthy of adaptation.

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Welcome to the Justice League Cyborg…it kind of sucks right now

I also sometimes have issue with the art for these “feature film” releases.  I think that for a TV series, the animation is pretty good, but for a movie, the art could be improved.  Something like Batman:  Gotham Knight took chances with the animation.  I wish that one of the mainstream DC movies would take that chance (and as a result be better).

Justice League:  Doom is an entertaining film, but it could be even better with some tweaks.  DC is showing some improvement in their films and TV series with this and Young Justice and I wish that DC would apply some of this ingenuity to their big budget films.  DC Universe Animated Original Movies followed-up Justice League:  Doom with Superman vs. the Elite in 2012.

Related Links:

Justice League:  The New Frontier (2008)

Justice League:  Crisis on Two Earths (2010)

Justice League:  The Flashpoint Paradox (2013)

Justice League:  Throne of Atlantis (2015)

Justice League—Season 1 Review and Complete Episode Guide

Justice League—Season 2 Review and Complete Episode Guide

Justice League Unlimited—Season 1 Review and Complete Episode Guide

Justice League Unlimited—Season 2 Review and Complete Episode Guide

Justice League Unlimited—Season 3 Review and Complete Episode Guide

Author: JPRoscoe View all posts by
Follow me on Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd @JPRoscoe76! Loves all things pop-culture especially if it has a bit of a counter-culture twist. Plays video games (basically from the start when a neighbor brought home an Atari 2600), comic loving (for almost 30 years), and a true critic of movies. Enjoys the art house but also isn't afraid to let in one or two popular movies at the same time.

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