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Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (Two-Disc Edition) | 
| Directors: Lauren Montgomery, Sam Liu
Actors: William Baldwin, Mark Harmon, Chris Noth, Gina Torres, James Woods
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $24.98
Buy New: $14.99
as of 7/29/2010 21:59 CDT details
You Save: $9.99 (40%)
New (29) Used (6) from $14.88
Seller: Amazon.com
Rating:  119 reviews
Sales Rank: 4557
Format: AC-3, Animated, Dolby, DVD, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Unknown), French (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Region: 1
Discs: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Running Time: 75 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: WARD114180D
UPC: 883929094592
EAN: 0883929094592
ASIN: B002YOKVUY
Release Date: February 23, 2010
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 02/23/2010 Run time: 75 minutes Rating: Pg13
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 119
 You People Are My World's Last Hope July 26, 2010
D. Reed (Elkton, MD USA)
What a great episode of Justice League, huh? I don't care what the producers behind these movies say, this is the bridge between JL and JLU.
Of course there are some cosmetic differences but they're too few. The difference? A different Green Lantern is present, the rebuilt Watchtower looks slightly different than the one that would appear in JLU and Batman, Martian Manhunter & Aquaman look different. My explanations for some of these discrepancies? John Stewart went away after Hawkgirl's betrayal so the Guardians sent Hal Jordan or Kyle Rayner (its never stated who it is) as his temporary replacement while J'onn's new look could be attributed to a Martian style of mourning (note the black costume). Other than that, yeah its pretty much the DCAU. There's just too many similarities for it not to be linked to it. I also found this to be a slightly better version of the second season JL episodes "A Better World". While the Justice Lords were more dictators than actually criminals, they still fought for justice in a skewed way. The Crime Syndicate is just all out evil, though Johnny Quick's death does make me sympathetic for the character, since Batman technically lied to him. Though while Power Ring & Johnny Quick don't get much screen time and Ultraman is just a stereotypical Mafia boss, Superwoman and Owlman are given more development; Superwoman for her sexual thrill of combat & power and Owlman for his cold, calculating genius and general disregard and uninterest for all reality. The Syndicate subordinates were fun and I enjoyed trying to figure out who was their JL counterpart.
What I've said in my previous DC reviews on character models sharing similarites I've disregarded for this one. A few cosmetic changes here and there but the animation models in this look almost exactly like they did in the series. The Flash for instance looks practically the same (though his costume is vey simplistic in design and hasn't changed much since Barry Allen first appeared in 1956). Superman and Wonder Woman also look the same while Batman's costume is altered a bit; the utility belt looks bulkier and the bat logo is designed to reflect the comics than the one seen in JL.
Again nothing but praise for the voice cast, who pretty much nailed their parts. While the animation models looked the same, the cast was able to take the characters and make them their own. Mark Harmon's Superman sounds a little older and wiser than George Newbern's interpretation. Like Jeremy Sisto in New Frontier, William Baldwin (Miss Romano must also like working with the Baldwin family, it'd be kind of cool if she could get all the Baldwin Brothers in a project like this. If Alec could do Spongebob, he could do something like this) gives a more gravelly performance as the Dark Knight (I was also surprised at how little Batman's even in this until the end). Though again the praise goes to the actors of Superwoman and Owlman. Gina Torres (the voice of Vixen in JLU) was excellent, ably portraying the deadliness and sexuality of the character. James Woods portrays Owlman with a dry sense of humor and makes him a genuine threat, both against the Justice League and the Multi-Verse.
I guess I should also mention the animated short of The Spectre. It was good and I liked it, the only time I've even read him in the comic was in a collection of Batman team-ups. But since that happened back in the sixties, I'm not sure if he's supposed to be portrayed as a supernatural avenger. The whole bringing horror monsters to life was a good sequence but a little too disturbing for my taste, though the death by money scene was cool. I liked the way he was done in a teaser of Batman: The Brave and the Bold. He helps Batman fight Dr. Milo and even after saying he won't do anything, he turns Milo into cheese and lets his rats loose on him (pretty dark for a kids series but I'm not complaining). I know its the same thing but unlike the short where we see the people die, we don't see Milo get killed (kids show remember) but I like the old saying "less is more" when it comes to movies and TV shows. I like to imagine how the people died instead of being shown. The voice cast was good and I did like the whole grainy image thing that was used.
High action and high stakes make this one fun ride! July 10, 2010
Isaac J. Mahoney
Based on Grant Morrison's JLA: Earth 2, the Crisis on Two Earths story beams us to an alternate dimension where Lex Luthor is the hero and the "superheroes" are evildoers called "The Crime Syndicate". When a heroic Lex Luthor from an alternate timeline transports himself to our Earth to beg for help, the Justice League decides to return with him and kick some serious butt. Traveling to Earth-2, our heroes Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, (and eventually Batman), encounter their alternate (and thoroughly evil) selves. Evenly-matched but quickly outnumbered, the Justice League must find a way to defeat their sinister counterparts. But the clock begins ticking when Owlman (Batman's alternate) makes a discovery that could threaten not only Earth-2, but all existence.
Crisis on Two Earths showcases the highest stakes I have ever seen, in any film, ever. Crisis dares to deliver a plotline that's epic in scope while maneuvering around most of the pitfalls that come with such an attempt. The characterization is quite good, especially considering they had two entire teams to develop. The evil Superwoman and Flash are notably good, while Owl-Man's character (voiced by James Woods) is absolute genius. The Crisis villains are interesting and threatening, the stakes high, and the fighting awesome. Wonder Woman and Owlman have some fantastically well-choreographed fights. Crisis' only major pitfall is the voices for our heroes. It doesn't bring back any of the familiar voices from the TV Series or other animated movies. It's not that Crisis has bad actors, far from it, but the change is hard to get used to. I liked Superman (Mark Harmon) having a Kansas accent, but Batman (William Baldwin) was ineffective as the Dark Knight. Couple that with a ton of good and evil superhero incarnations and it all gets a little hard to follow. (Although that Aquaman cameo was pretty sweet.) I wouldn't say its script or storytelling is weak, per se, it just lacks the pacing and consistency of the best animated features like Public Enemies.
Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths is a success in it's high stakes action and unique setting. A spectacular showdown between Batman and Owlman with a quote from Nietzsche lands it solidly in the `Great' section of my list.
Well done for an animation piece July 5, 2010
MISTER SJEM (CALIF BAY AREA United States)
The Justice League visits a parallel Earth to help its one remaining super hero (Lex Luthor) versus evil counterparts to the Justice League. Voices of William Baldwin, Gina Torres and James Woods (Owlman, the evil counterpart to Batman). MY GRADE: B to B plus (but only if you like the super hero archetypes; BEST DIALOGUE (Bat man to Owlman): "We are different in one way. We both looked into the Abyss but when you looked you blinked."
Justice League DVDs June 15, 2010
J. Pearson (Watertown, NY United States)
Another great DVD for young people, especially those thrilled with Superman, Batman, etc. Nice DVD for the price!
The Crime Syndicate Shines June 14, 2010
E. David Swan (South Euclid, Ohio USA)
I was extremely happy to see the Crime Syndicate getting the full star treatment in a DC's latest animated movie as I've been a huge fan of theirs for decades. The Crime Syndicate was created by Gardner Fox way back in 1964 in the original two part `Crisis on Earth Three'. It wasn't a perfect story but the idea of an alternate universe with the heroes and villains reversed was a goldmine of potential. Perhaps even more intriguing was the idea of an Earth where the villains rule. The Crime Syndicate was given the opportunity to do what no DC villain could ever do and that's win; not temporarily win but continue to control Earth Three and essentially keep it enslaved. Earth Three is even more terrifying than Darkseid's bleak Apokolips because it maintains the façade of normalcy. However even the president of the United States can do nothing when Ultraman (Superman's opposite) walks into the White House and threatens his life. Gardner Fox also did a great job of creating the alternate characters with completely different origins and unique personalities. I particularly enjoy Batman's opposite, Owlman, who may be even more brilliant and resourceful than the Dark Knight himself. Ultraman by contrast is the ultimate bully which is probably a more likely outcome of someone with Superman like powers than ending up a boy scout. Earth Three was so influential that it was used as one of the primary driving forces behind both Crisis on Infinite Earths and Infinite Crisis.
The movie opens with Earth Three's Lex Luthor and The Jester (a good guy Joker) invading the Crime Syndicate's base to steal some important piece of technology. Luthor manages to escape and opens a door to the parallel Earth One where he implores the JLA to help him fight against the Crime Syndicate. The movie expands greatly on the roster of the CSA which originally featured just five members including Ultraman, Superwoman, Johnny Quick, Power Ring and of course Owlman. The big five remain in charge but now they each have dozens of lieutenants that are all reverses of Earth One heroes. This is not the first time other characters have been shown but Crisis on Two Earths probably has the most expanded roster.
The movie is very good but not without flaws. My biggest issue was the casting of voice actors and one in particular. They went with name actors rather than the actors from the cartoons and Billy Baldwin was completely miscast as Batman. His voice is neither intimidating nor authoritative. I'm not sure how I feel about James Woods as Owlman with his nasally delivery. He sounds kind of nerdy but maybe that was what they were going for. Baldwin gets a failing grade but otherwise the voice acting was decent. The script is very intelligently written but one plot point seemed silly. The JLA meets with the president and implores him to stand up to the Crime Syndicate and the President gives the completely logical response that if they do that the Syndicate will kill them all and notes that unlike Superman they're not bulletproof. Superman replies saying that he stands up to foes stronger than himself all the time but that argument is silly. Ultraman isn't merely stronger than the President or the Secret Service he is a homicidal Superman. If the President stands up to Ultraman he will absolutely unequivocally be killed. When Superman tells the president that they will take care of the Syndicate the president responds with the most powerful line of the movie asking, `Will you kill them?' This dialogue between Superman and the President is very well written but at the same time completely naïve. The fact of the matter is that the Crime Syndicate has gone easy on Earth Three allowing the people some sense of normalcy and even apparently a pseudo democracy. What Superman is asking is for the president to essentially commit suicide. Grant Morrison came across this situation in JLA: Earth 2 and resolved it by creating some kind of cosmic balance that would only allow Earth Three to be saved at the expense of Earth One and the book ended with the Crime Syndicate retaining control. This is not the route the movie takes. One interesting idea that isn't explored is the whole idea of the `Crime' Syndicate operating as a criminal organization. If you can walk into the White House and threaten the President you don't need to commit crimes. You've won. In the movie the Syndicate is kept slightly in check by the threat of nuclear bombs but it seems dubious to think that the U.S. could somehow target individual members of the CSA for a nuclear strike. And would even that kill Ultraman or Power Ring?
My final issue was with the nefarious plan of Owlman. The one big issue I had with the 1989 Batman movie was that the Joker's plan was pointless outside of killing as many people as possible. Even if I bought into the idea that the Joker was just a homicidal nihilist why would his henchmen go along with it? Owlman's plan is essentially the same but on a far grander scale. His motivation is philosophically intriguing but probably more than a younger fan might be expected to digest.
Despite my issues Crisis on Two Earths it's a very well done production and the actions scenes are phenomenal. The animators do an awesome job of capturing fights between beings of unfathomable power. There were also some little touches that I really enjoyed. Superwoman has three lieutenants that to the best of my knowledge are never named but it's clearly Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr. and Uncle Marvel. Yeah, Uncle Marvel. Seeing that fat, white haired Uncle Marvel beating down the JLA is magnificent.
I really enjoyed Crisis on Two Earth but a few plot problems were just too much for me to award it a full five stars. There are a lot of idea's that could have been explored but weren't and other extraneous storylines that could have been jettisoned (The Martian Manhunter's romance). Ultimately it's a really good direct to video movie but just not up to the level of a Pixar or Miyazaki movie.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 119
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