Justice League: War

Justice League: Waris a 2014 Americananimatedsuperhero filmfeaturing theDC Comicssuperhero team theJustice League,and an adaptation of the storyJustice League: OriginbyGeoff JohnsandJim Lee,the first story in DC's2011 DC Universe relaunch.It was directed byJay Olivaand scripted by Heath Corson. It is the 19th film of theDC Universe Animated Original Moviesand the second film in theDC Animated Movie Universe.The film was released for downloading on January 21, 2014and was released onBlu-rayandDVDformats on February 4.It had its world premiere at thePaley Center for Mediaon the same day.Warner Home Video re-released the film on a combo pack in August 2015, which includes a DVD and Blu-Ray copy, a digital copy, and the graphic novel it is based on. The film depicts an invasion of Earth by the alien and demon "New God",Darkseid,and the subsequent formation of the titular superhero team to counter it, which includesSuperman,Batman,Wonder Woman,Flash,Green Lantern,CyborgandShazam.Astand-alone sequel,Justice League: Throne of Atlantis,was released in January 2015. The film also begins a story-arc which is revisited inReign of the Supermenand concludes inJustice League Dark: Apokolips War.

Justice League: War
Home video release cover art
Directed by	Jay Oliva
Written by	Heath Corson
Based on	Justice League: Origin byGeoff Johns Jim Lee
Produced by	James Tucker
Starring	Christopher Gorham Justin Kirk Shemar Moore Jason O'Mara
Edited by	Christoper D. Lozinski
Music by	Kevin Kliesch
Production companies	Warner Bros. Animation DC Entertainment MOI Animation(animation services)
Distributed by	Warner Home Video
Release dates	January 21, 2014(2014-01-21)(digital) February 4, 2014(2014-02-04)(physical)
Running time	79 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Plot

A series of abductions have occurred inGotham City;Batmanis implicated due to video footage.Green Lanternstops a kidnapping before attacking the kidnapper, aParademon,and is almost defeated when Batman appears. The Parademon attacks them both; Batman and Green Lantern chase it into the sewers, where it charges aMother Boxand explodes. They examine the box, deduce it is of extraterrestrial origin, and decide to askSupermanfor an answer. Another Mother Box, supplied byFlashis being studied atS.T.A.R. LabsbySilas Stone,father ofVictor Stone.

Superman, who fought with a Parademon previously and believes Batman and Green Lantern are working with it, fights the both of them; the two are hopelessly outmatched, with the battle only stopping when Batman calls him "Clark" and Superman discovers Batman is Bruce Wayne. The trio begin to work together against the Parademons. On the planetApokolips,DarkseidordersDesaadto begin an invasion of Earth in response to the superheroes' discovery of his plans. Victor and Silas argue over Silas' belief thatmetahumansare more important than football. Superman, Batman and Green Lantern realize an invasion has begun when the box activates and severalBoom Tubesappear throughout the world.

The Box in S.T.A.R. Labs explodes and creates a Boom Tube when Victor is holding it. The explosion fuses the technology inside the Box to Victor's wounded, mutilated body. As several Parademons attack, Silas takes Victor to a technologically advanced medical bed and uses experimental technologies on him. Countless Parademons appear and attack around the world. The Box's technology spliced with Victor's body fuses itself with the various technologies around the room. Victor is transformed into Cyborg, with a body capable of transforming and adapting itself, including obtaining new features. Just as the Flash saves the scientists, Cyborg discovers details of Apokolips, Darkseid, and the invasion plan. He learns that the Parademons are actually inhabitants of worlds conquered by Darkseid, spliced with his technology, allowing him to mind-control them into serving as an army for conquering other planets.Billy Batsonsees a Parademon outside and mystically turns into the superhero Shazam.Air Force Oneis attacked in the air, but is saved by theAmazonprincessWonder Womanand Superman. After the heroes gather, Cyborg reveals that the invasion is a prelude to theterraformingof Earth. Darkseid arrives and proves to be an extremely powerful opponent and the entire Justice League is hopelessly outmatched.

Darkseid uses his Omega Beams to fight Flash and Superman, who is incapacitated and captured by a Parademon. Batman prevents Green Lantern from going after them on his own with a broken arm. He tells Green Lantern to think about the lives at stake rather than his own image as a hero, and after unmasking himself, reveals that his parents' murders are what motivated him to fight evil. Bruce allows himself to be captured to save Superman. Green Lantern has the idea to strip Darkseid of his Omega Beams by destroying his eyes. Bruce goes through a portal to Apokolips, where he escapes the Parademon and stops DeSaad from turning Superman into a Parademon. Superman is left unstable and highly aggressive because of the brainwashing process, resulting in him strangling DeSaad to death and attacking Parademons and Batman. Batman reasons with him, and helps him reassert his own personality. On Earth, after Darkseid's eyes are destroyed by the Justice League, Cyborg reopens the Boom Tubes to send Darkseid and his army back to Apokolips. Darkseid fights back, and with Superman and Batman's assistance, the group eventually force him through the portal. With the world saved, the superheroes gain the public's trust and are honored at theWhite House.

In apost-credits scene,anAtlanteanship emerges from the ocean andOcean Masterappears carrying the dead body of his king. He believes that the surface dwellers on Earth are responsible, calling it an act of war from the surface, for which he swears revenge.

Voice cast

Voice actor	Character
Alan Tudyk	Kal-El / Clark Kent / Superman
Jason O'Mara	Bruce Wayne / Batman
Michelle Monaghan	Diana Prince / Wonder Woman
Justin Kirk	Hal Jordan / Green Lantern
Christopher Gorham	Barry Allen / The Flash
Shemar Moore	Victor Stone / Cyborg
Sean Astin Zach Callison	Billy Batson / Shazam
Steve Blum	Uxas / Darkseid
Dee Bradley Baker	Parademons
Ioan Gruffudd	Thomas Morrow
Richard McGonagle	President
George Newbern	Steve Trevor
Bruce Thomas	DeSaad
Rocky Carroll	Silas Stone
Kimberly Brooks	Darla
Georgie Kidder	Freddy Freeman
Hynden Walch	Hannah Grace
Melique Berger	Sarah Charles

Music

Justice League: War- DC Universe Animated Original Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Film scoreby Kevin Kliesch
Released	February 4th, 2014
Length	54:40
Label	WaterTower Music

The soundtrack toJustice League: Warwas released on February 4, 2014. The music was composed by Kevin Kliesch.

Track list

Justice League: War– DC Universe animated original movie (original motion picture soundtrack)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Justice League: War" (opening titles)	0:39
2.	"Green Lantern Meets The Parademon"	0:47
3.	"Rooftop Battle/Chase Through The City"	3:34
4.	"Underground Tunnels"	2:27
5.	"Silas Updates Barry"	0:41
6.	"Game Day"	1:19
7.	"Diana And The Angry Mob"	1:34
8.	"Billy Meers Victor/Superman Makes an Entrance"	2:30
9.	"Superfriend or Superfoe?/Enter Darkseid"	4:12
10.	"Parademons Break Through/Saving Victor"	3:19
11.	"Fighting The Parademons Horde"	2:04
12.	"Billy Becomes Shazam"	0:42
13.	"Darkseid's Arrival"	4:46
14.	"Batman Unmasked/Darkseid Homeworld"	2:02
15.	"The Heroes Join Forces"	1:47
16.	"Off To Rescue Superman/Darkseid Battle"	2:43
17.	"The Battle Continues"	7:10
18.	"Final Battle"	5:55
19.	"Saving The Day/Award Ceremony/End Titles"	6:29
Total length:		54:40

Reception

Critical reception

Thereview aggregatorRotten Tomatoesreported an approval rating of 50%, with an average score of 5.8/10, based on 6 reviews.IGNgave a total score of 8.8/10, calling it a "great modern origin story that will win you over with its action and humor".CraveOnlinegave it a rating of 9.0/10.

Conversely, Brian Lowry ofVarietybelieves it did not reach the high standards of otherDC Animated Movies;he wrote that "the interplay yields its share of moments but ultimately proves too frenzied and chaotic to deliver more than a few revisionist thrills".Additionally, Scott Mendelson of Forbes' Magazine called the film a "dry run for Justice League" and criticized the plot, describing it as "monotonous".

Sales

It earned $5,789,529 from domestic home video sales.

Sequels

See also:Justice League: Throne of AtlantisandJustice League vs. Teen Titans

A follow-up,Justice League: Throne of AtlantisfeaturingMatt LanterasAquaman / Arthur Curry,was released in January 2015 with several of the first film's cast reprising their roles; notable changes includeAlan Tudyk,Michelle Monaghan,andJustin Kirk,who were replaced byJerry O'Connell,Rosario Dawson,andNathan Fillionin the roles ofSuperman/Clark Kent,Wonder Woman/Diana Prince,andGreen Lantern/Hal Jordan,respectively. Another sequel titledJustice League vs. Teen Titanswas released in 2016 which introduced theTeen Titansinto the DCAMU and featured them fighting the League, with the latter under control of the demonTrigon.

External links

• Justice League: WaratIMDb