Direct to DVD Dissection looks at a recent release from comic book company DC’s animation department, highlighting one of the more recent universe spanning events in comic history, while also involving alternative universes and timelines. In other words, comic book logic at it’s most insane and, ultimately, pointless. The Dissection looks at how this transition to the new universe stands on its own.
The Story
An alteration of the timeline for the superhero, The Flash, creates ripples that disastrously alters the Universe. The Flash must team with other heroes to restore the timeline while the Earth is ravaged by a war between Aquaman’s Atlantis and Wonder Woman’s Amazons.
The Cast
Justin Chambers as The Flash/Barry Allen. Best known for his role as Dr. Alex Karev in the TV series GREY’S ANATOMY, as well as appearing in films like THE MUSKETEER, LAKEVIEW TERRACE, and BROKEN CITY
C. Thomas Howell as Professor Zoom/Eobard Thawne. Worked on films like the 1984 RED DAWN and original THE HITCHER film series, with recent roles in films like THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN and TV series SOUTHLAND under his belt.
Michael B. Jordan as Cyborg. Best known in his role as Steve in the film CHRONICLE, as well as his role as Reggie Montgomery in ALL MY CHILDREN, with appearances in films like FRUITVALE STATION, RED TAILS, and HARDBALL.
Kevin McKidd as Thomas Wayne. Another GREY’S ANATOMY member, who appeared in the series as Dr. Owen Hunt. He’s also known as playing Tommy in TRAINSPOTTING, as well as Lord MacGuffin in BRAVE, and the voice of Soap MacTavish in the MODERN WARFARE video game series.
The Dissection
Sometimes, you gotta feel for DC Comics. Not only for the fact their full name is Detective Comics Comics, but because of their crossover to movie and TV releases. Granted, while recent theatrical releases have done very well, they tend to stick with their one or two bread and butter characters, namely Batman and Superman. Other heroes, if they even get a chance to shine in the first place, tend to not do as well. On TV, it’s a bit better. Better known for their older stuff, there are modern hits like ARROW currently on the air. Their animated fare, meanwhile, did take a big hit with the loss of series’ like YOUNG JUSTICE and GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, and ended up releasing THIS onto the world.
The Flash (Justin Chambers) has GOTTA GO FAST!
Still, if there’s one aspect of DC that’s been putting out some consistently good output, it’s their string of good DVD animated movies. And here we have their most recent released, based on the “Flashpoint” storyline that lead to the company wide reboot called The New 52. Now, the movie plans to explain the same story told in several issues and tie ins, in the span of 80 minutes or so. Again, something you gotta feel for DC Comics.
First thing to notice is the animation. Everyone looks a bit more heavier than you might be used to. It’s not sleek as the animation from YOUNG JUSTICE or the BATMAN/SUPERMAN film. It’s more reminiscent of the models that were in the two part THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS movie, like everyone is on Bane’s Venom toxin or something. It’s odd, but it’s not something that takes much to get use to. What DOES, however, is the content. This film is very, very brutal. It’s like INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US video game, in the sense that it seems to just hate everyone, except Batman. There’s blood and violence and it is just brutal at times. The problem with this is, and it’s inherent to the premise, it really has no lasting effect. Sure, it will impact you when you see it, and there are some interesting moments in-universe and a sense of wondering how it works, but it gets quickly silenced because this story has to end in a way where these changes don’t happen. It’s how movies that involve alternate realities go. It’s how the same story in comic books, TV, movies, and video games have gone. It’s how DC and comics in general has gone.
Action Hank..I mean, Thomas Wayne (Kevin McKidd) under the cape and cowl as Batman
When it comes to the acting, it’s pretty good. Aside from the standard group of DC voice actors, (and as an aside, Steve Blum could be playing a mute, and somehow you’d know it was Steve Blum the minute he breathed.) and there’s a few vocal cameos from people who were synonymous with characters from other DC projects, there are some newer characters who works well, too. C. Thomas Howell works really well as villain Zoom, and while no Michael Rosenbaum voiced Wally West, Chambers does a good job as Barry Allen’s Flash to make the film more interesting than it should.
For the disc release, there’s a good chunk of extras to be had. You have the audio commentary with the producer, screenwritter, director, and comic book writer Geoff Johns, where they all explain how they got the story down and some details they put into the film that fans of the company would surely notice. There’s also two featurettes, one for time travel stories related to The Flash, and one on his gallery of villains and their backstories and histories. There are also two episodes on the disc, one from THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD (“Requim for a Scarlet Speeder!”), and the other from JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED (“Flash and Substance”). Unlike the rest of the features, they’re in standard definition, so they don’t look very good with an HD set up. Finally, there is an little preview of the first issue of the Flashpoint comic series, as well as some trailers for other products, including the follow up film that gets a tease at the end of this one, titled JUSTICE LEAGUE: WAR. Also, it has language tracks in English, Spanish, and French, with subtitles in all 3. It’s recommended that you watch it with French tracks on a second viewing, especially if you don’t understand it yourself, for a bit of levity. Also, on deciding between Blu Ray and DVD, the animation looks a bit worse on a DVD copy, so if possible, stick with a Blu Ray or HD digital release of the film if interested.
The Verdict
While it has some issues with the premise and the animation work, THE FLASHPOINT PARADOX is a good entry overall. However, it’s one you got to know what you’re getting. It feels more like a niche release, as a lot of the more casual fans of DC will be turned off by this film, so it’s more for people who read the comic book series it is based on, and people into the New 52 story. If that’s you, you’ll find a pretty good release from DC.
And if nothing else, watching this mean less time online having to listen to people complaining about Ben Affleck again…
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