Film Review: 'Justice League: Dark'
When a mysterious magician threatens innocent lives, a new group of ‘dark’ (not really) heroes must team up to stop it. “Justice League: Dark” (2017) showcases DC’s most supernatural characters, stepping up to the challenge when the Justice League is befuddled by this attack beyond their sphere of influence. While the film relies a bit much on prior knowledge, it’s a charming ride for superhero fans and fantasy fans alike.
There’s a sense of Scooby-Doo style who-done-it mixed with DC action that makes it an enjoyable watch, even for people who aren't familiar with the characters.
When innocent people begin seeing visions of horrifying monsters, the ghostly hero Deadman (Nicholas Turturro) possesses Batman (Jason O'Mara) to lead him to the infamous warlock, John Constantine (Matt Ryan). Batman also reunites with an old friend and backward-talking sorceress, Zatanna (Camilla Luddington), for assistance in this magical manhunt. After the movie’s cast is gathered up, everyone meets in Constantine’s House of Mystery to compare notes on the world’s recent cause for chaos. The newly-formed team embarks on a mission to uncover who would want to release Destiny (Alfred Molina) from the cursed Dreamstone, the mystical object tormenting the world. They come across friends and foes-- each with their own priorities — like Jason Blood / Etrigan the Demon (Ray Chase), Swamp Thing (Roger Cross), Felix Faust (Enrico Colantoni) and Ritchie Simpson (Jeremy Davies).
Who will betray?
Who will sacrifice?
Who will be surprised by Batman besting sorcerers?
“Justice League: Dark” is a fun DC film following Batman into the fantastical world of Earth’s most powerful magic users. It features cheesy quips, unamused Batman and over-the-top British dialogue from Constantine. While most of the film carries a lighthearted save-the-world tone that usually accompanies DC’s animated works, “Justice League: Dark” made an attempt at emotional catharsis through various fight scenes. Unfortunately, this drama is undercut by the lack of clear lead-up — by which I mean Zatanna defeats a foe in an epic fashion then collapses crying into Constantine’s arms and I still don’t know why. I’m sure if I watch it again I’ll find a quick line of explanation but frankly, it doesn’t make a difference to the plot. Besides the missed attempts at drama, the film is a blast into the DC’s occult side and with a very entertaining story.
Superhero comics are notorious for sexist character designs including, but not limited to, pin-up style costumes for female heroes and villains. It is frustrating when skin-tight costumes display the sexualized ideal for both genders: every Bat-ab chiseled into his suit, Zatanna’s voluminous breasts — in a low-cut top with no support — and Wonder Woman’s unrealistically cinched waist. All that I’ll begrudgingly ignore, but Black Orchid (Colleen Villard) aka The House of Mystery in physical form comes across more like a pink sex doll. She’s nude, pink and obedient to a fault. Her main personality is to flirt and protect and of course, she has the comic book body of tiny waist and perky boobs. Nothing like a weird sex-doll/inhuman mistress to add intrigue to the House of Mystery.
Overall, this is a fun film. There’s a sense of Scooby-Doo style who-done-it mixed with DC action that makes it an enjoyable watch, even for people who aren't familiar with the characters. Swamp Thing is charming and steadfast as ever, Constantine is very much an over-talented frat boy except British and Zatanna is an absolute class act. Everything is as it should be. “Justice League: Dark” is stylistically like every other DC animated film except magic-flavored, which is exactly what I wanted from it. For a simple film that spins a simple tale, it hits the target dead on.
“Justice League: Dark” is a wonderful complement to the DC collection. It isn’t the best Justice League film, but it brings good banter and engaging characters on a good-old-fashion wizard hunt.
“Justice League: Dark” can be found on HBOMax, AmazonPrime and Vudu.
