First of all, I can’t tell you how happy I am that Warner Bros. has released a family friendly Justice League movie. I’ve seen their more recent films such as Justice League: War and Justice League: Flashpoint Paradox, and to say they are not family friendly would be an understatement.
JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time follows Lex Luthor and the Legion of Doom as their attempt to take over the world by melting the polar ice caps backfires and gets Lex “killed” in the process. Of course, Lex doesn’t really die. After he’s had time to thaw out, he uses a mysterious villain known as Time Trapper to return to his own time with a plan to wipe Superman and the rest of the Justice League from the history books.
The movie give us our favorite heroes including: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, The Flash, and Aquaman. We are also introduced to two new heroes: Karate Kid and Dawnstar.
Karate Kid (voiced by Dante Basco) comes off as an arrogant punk who wants his glory now. Dawnstar (voiced by Laura Bailey ) is more patient and wise, but lacks the courage to do what she must when the battle starts. Over the course of the movie, we get to see them grow into the true heroes they are meant to be, as they are forced to step it up to save the Justice League and the timeline.
With the movie lasting less than an hour, it felt more like a TV show pilot than a movie. When I read the synopsis of the movie, I was excited to see The Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg would play a larger role in the heroics. I was disappointed though when their “larger” role was limited to one slapstick fight scene. Don’t get me wrong, that one scene was funny and important, but it wasn’t quite the heroics in saving the time line I had imagined.
After the movie was over, my husband and I both agreed we felt the story was rushed and the ending needed some work (or at least a sequel). My son, on the other hand, declared that he loved it and had no problems with it. I’m not surprised seeing as he’s only 8-years-old and doesn’t critique the voice actors or the way the characters are portrayed. To him, he sees his favorite characters facing-off against villains he’s familiar with.
So, if you are looking for a family friendly Justice League movie, this one meets the criteria. I can’t say I’m 100% happy with the story, but the fact that my son enjoyed it and it’s something we can all watch together is enough for me.
JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time is available now on DVD.
Disclaimer: GeekMom received a review sample.
