Movie Info
Movie Name: Justice League: Throne of Atlantis
Studio: Warner Bros. Animation
Genre(s): Animated/Comic Book/Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Release Date(s): January 27, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Welcome to Atlantis, Arthur…it sucks
The Justice League is in its formative years and still a rag-tag band of heroes trying to find their direction. When a submarine is destroyed in the Mariana Trench, the suspects are the legendary people of Atlantis. With a potential of war between the Atlanteans and the surface dwellers, the Justice League tries to calm the flames…and learn that the only hope for peace could be a young man named Arthur Curry who suddenly learns his life is a lie.
Directed by Ethan Spaulding, Justice League: Throne of Atlantis is a direct-to-video DC Universe Animated Original Movie. A sequel to Justice League: War, the film adapts the Justice League/Aquaman storyline Throne of Atlantis (Justice League (2) #15-17, Aquaman (5) #14-16) and follows up DC animated feature’s Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014).
Awkward…
The New 52 was a DC relaunch and followed the DC Comic series Flashpoint. Like the comics, DC introduced the post-Flashpoint DC Animated Universe in Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox. This entry features one of the “new” Justice League’s early adventures and also doubles as an origin movie for Aquaman.
The movie compresses and changes a lot of the Throne of Atlantis storyline. Arthur is unestablished at the beginning of the film and much less of a participant in the attack (the comic book storyline had him creating the invasion plans with Orm). Here the main storylines involve Arthur becoming Aquaman and Superman teaching Wonder Woman about being human. The Aquaman storyline works, but the Superman/Wonder Woman story feels a bit lost in the big picture (especially since the movie isn’t part of a TV series).
Orm, you are NOT invited to Thanksgiving!
The odd thing about this movie and some of the other DC Animated Features is that they are generally rated PG-13. I felt that a lot of Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox necessitated a PG-13 rating, but here, it seems almost a gratuitous attempt to make the movie “adult” by having characters swear. Black Manta saying Ocean Master “bugs the s*@! out of me” doesn’t really add to the story. I know in a real world situation the villains and heroes probably would swear, but part of the problem with comic books right now is that they are struggling to build a younger audience…and PG-13 animated movies do not necessarily help.
Hey if Superman & Wonder Woman get it on, shouldn’t we?
The animation for the film isn’t my favorite. With a setting primarily underwater, it is filtered and murky at points. The movie has a bit of a Japanese animation look at points and I preferred a lot of the TV show animation better.
DC is on the march to rival Marvel in the movies and you can see glimpses of what they are planning for the big screen in movies like this. The story is simple, filled with action, and can be understood by comic book novices. The story takes some shortcuts and still feels a little full, but for the most part it is entertaining. Justice League: Throne of Atlantis is followed by DC Animated feature Batman vs. Robin in 2015.
Related Links:
Justice League 3: Throne of Atlantis
Justice League: The New Frontier (2008)
Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010)
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013)
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
