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'Legion of Super-Heroes' Animated Movie Review
by Neil Cole
'Legion of Super-Heroes' is the latest entry from the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series set within the "Tomorrowverse" and is based on the comic book series of the same name featuring a group of superpowered beings living in the 30th and 31st centuries of the DC Comics Universe which first appeared in Adventure Comics #247 (April 1958).
The film takes place following the events depicted in "Justice Society: World War II" and involves Kara Zor-El/Supergirl (Meg Donnelly) adjusting to life on Earth following the destruction of Krypton in which she was supposed to arrive before her baby cousin, Kal-El, only to get thrown off course and land after Kal-El has become Superman (Darren Criss).
Following a battle with Solomon Grundy in which Supergirl shows a lack of restraint and discipline, Batman (Jensen Ackles) becomes leery of her actions which prompts Superman to offer a rather unorthodox solution; send Supergirl to the 31st Century where she can become part of the Legion Academy and learn alongside other teenage metahumans her own age.
Upon arrival at the Legion Academy, viewers are introduced to Mon-El (Yuri Lowenthal), Brainiac-5 (Harry Shum Jr.), Dawnstar (Cynthia Hamidi), Triplicate Girl (Daisy Lightfoot), Invisible Kid (Zeno Robinson), Phantom Girl (Gideon Adlon), and Bouncing Boy (Ely Henry).
Supergirl's distrust of Brainiac-5 - due to the history of Brainiac trying to destroy Superman - is a main factor in the film's overall storyline and results in several confrontation between the two. The Legion instructors Timber Wolf (Robbie Daymond), Chemical King (Eric Lopez), and Shadow Lass (Victoria Grace) are also suspicious of Brainiac-5 and question why he was allowed to join the Legion.
This distrust along with the arrival of a group of elite mercenaries known as the Dark Circle and a surprising betrayal culminate in a villainous plot which threatens to destroy the Legion and the 31st Century unless young recruits can band together and save the day.
Featuring a signature style of clean action sequences that are easy to follow and big explosive battles, director Jeff Wamester returns once again to the "Tommorowverse" following his work on "Green Lantern: Beware My Power" and "Justice Society: World War II".
The film's art style remains consistent with that of prior post-New 52 films with heavier emphasis on deep lines and toned-down proportions to the characters which, in the past, always seemed to feature over-the-top muscular frames that came across as ludicrous at times.
'Legion of Super-Heroes' also features a stellar cast of actors to voice the film's characters. Meg Donnelly (American Housewife) and Harry Shum Jr. (Crazy Rich Asians) lead a star-studded cast as the voices of Supergirl/Kara and Brainiac 5, respectively. Darren Criss (Glee, The Assassination of Gianni Versace), Matt Bomer (Doom Patrol, White Collar) and Jensen Ackles (Supernatural, The Boys) reprise their roles in this ongoing Justice League continuity as Superman, The Flash and Batman, respectively.
The remainder of the robust Legion of Super-Heroes cast features Cynthia Hamidi (FBI) as Dawnstar, Gideon Adlon (Blockers) as Phantom Girl, Ely Henry (Players, Smallfoot) as Bouncing Boy, Robbie Daymond (Critical Role) as Timber Wolf & Brainiac 4, Yuri Lowenthal (He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Spider-Man) as Mon-El, Eric Lopez (Young Justice) as Cosmic Boy & Chemical King, Darin De Paul (Mortal Kombat Legends franchise) as Brainiac & Solomon Grundy, Ben Diskin (Muppet Babies) as Arms Fall Off Boy & Brainiac 2, Victoria Grace (Pacific Rim: The Black) as Shadow Lass, Jennifer Hale (Mass Effect franchise) as Alura, Daisy Lightfoot (Avengers Assemble) as Triplicate Girl, and Zeno Robinson (Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons) as Invisible Kid & Brainiac 3.
As with many past DC animated films, 'Legion of Super-Heroes' has a PG-13 rating mostly to some language and violence including scenes that may be a bit too intense for younger viewers including the death of some secondary characters and an iconic villain literally ripping himself apart.
Overall, 'Legion of Super-Heroes' focuses more on Supergirl than the actual Legion and should have been titled 'Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes'. However, even though other Legion members are at times regulated to the background or not even seen until the end of the film, viewers will still be entertained by the overall storyline which features equal parts action, mystery, and humor. In addition, a mid-credits scene featuring Batman and Superman offers a teaser of what the next film in the "Tomorrowverse" series has in store.
'Legion of Super-Heroes' is currently available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (USA $39.99 SRP; Canada $44.98 SRP), Blu-ray+Digital (USA $29.98 SRP), Blu-ray (Canada $39.99 SRP) and Digital ($19.99). The Blu-ray+Digital features a Blu-ray disc with the film in hi-definition and a digital version of the movie. The 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack features an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc in 4K with HDR, a Blu-ray disc featuring the film in hi-definition, and a digital version of the movie.
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