Justice League Dark: Apokolips War Review [OT] Dark Finale for the DC Animated Universe

TheGamingNewsGuy · May 5, 2020

The Reveiws for Justice League Dark: Apokolips War are out and it's looking to be one of the best DCAU movies to date:

IGN:

Score: 8/10

While the DC Animated Movie Universe was never as strong as some of DC's other shared TV universes, at least it's given a proper conclusion in Apokolips War. This film takes full advantage of the fact that it's the final chapter in a 15-movie arc. Its narrative veers into some very surprising and compelling directions, and somehow it manages to pay off on loose ends from across the DCU while still chronicling the final battle between the Justice League and Darkseid. The abrupt ending is a bit disappointing, but not enough to diminish the impact of what is easily the best DC Universe Movie since The Flashpoint Paradox.

Supermansite:

"Justice League Dark: Apokolips War" Review

The film is the latest next entry in the popular series of DC Universe Movies and completes an animated storyline which began in 2014 with the release of 'Justice League War'.

www.supermansupersite.com

All-in-all, I can confidently state that "Justice League Dark: Apokolips War" is easily one of, if not the best animated movie in the DC Universe series thus far. The movie has all the character development and action that you can ask for and then some. The script, directing, animation, & voice acting definitely make this one title you will want to have in your DVD/Bluray collection.

Comic Book Resources:

REVIEW: Justice League Dark: Apokolips War Is a Grim Twilight of DC's Animated Gods

The final film in the DC Animated Movie Universe closes things out with a dark, bloody last stand for the iconic superheroes.

www.cbr.com

The DC Animated Movie Universe certainly goes out with more of a bang than a whimper in Justice League Dark: Apokolips War, but it's never easy watching fan-favorite characters go down, particularly so brutally. Some of the violence borders on unsavory, and is a bit more than audiences may be accustomed to in a DC animated film. While many of the major players get their opportunity to shine one last time, others are lost in the shuffle. For fans for the long-running franchise, this is a must-watch to close out the overarching story; for those looking for a lighter, more fun diversion, this may not be it.

WehaveaHulk

Score: 4/5

Justice League Dark: Apokolips War Review - We Have A Hulk

The latest animated instalment from Warner Bros. Justice League Dark: Apokolips War marks the epic conclusion of DC’s popular shared animated movie universe, as the 15th and final film in the continuity. Originally introduced in Jay Oliva’s brilliant Justice League: The Flashpoint…

wehaveahulk.co.uk

Justice League Dark: Apokolips War is impressive in both size and scope; rounding off the DC Animated Movie shared universe with a bittersweet conclusion. Packed full of team ups, nods to DC lore and genuinely epic moments, longtime fans of the universe will undoubtedly revel in this film. Bring on HBO Max's live-action adaptation of Justice League Dark!

Deleted member 18407 · May 5, 2020

This is just the final movie in a specific continuity, right? They'll still be making some more of the animated movies?

JDSN · May 5, 2020

Do I need to watch the other ones or something? I saw the JL ones, the JLD one and Red Hood cos the rest looked like crap.

Tabby · May 5, 2020

Best since Flashpoint Paradox? that's a pretty high bar. I've skipped quite a few movies but I'll definitely check this one out.

Frump said:
This is just the final movie in a specific continuity, right? They'll still be making some more of the animated movies?

Yeah, most movies since Justice League War has been in the same continuity. Save for a few like Superman Red Son.

TheGamingNewsGuy · May 5, 2020

Frump said:
This is just the final movie in a specific continuity, right? They'll still be making some more of the animated movies?

Yep, final movie in this contunity

Bor Gullet · May 5, 2020

The only film I like in this continuity was Death of Superman (which was actually really good).

Penguin · May 5, 2020

JDSN said:
Do I need to watch the other ones or something? I saw the JL ones, the JLD one and Red Hood cos the rest looked like crap.

The actual movies in the series

So far, the only ones that don't seem to matter as much is Throne of Atlantis, Batman vs Robin, Batman Hush and Bloodlines.

Penguin · May 5, 2020

To me, perhaps one of the best, if not the best, films since they started the whole DTV animated line. I am shocked at how well they were able to tie together elements from so many of these movies and make it work. Even get some big emotional payoffs.

That said, as reviews noted, this is a pretty dark and down movie. And more of a Constantine film than anything.

Tabby · May 5, 2020

Penguin said:
To me, perhaps one of the best, if not the best, films since they started the whole DTV animated line. I am shocked at how well they were able to tie together elements from so many of these movies and make it work. Even get some big emotional payoffs.

That said, as reviews noted, this is a pretty dark and down movie. And more of a Constantine film than anything.

Which movies would you say are absolutely required before watching this?

I'm assuming Justice League Dark is one, any others?

iWannaHat · May 5, 2020

Penguin said:
The actual movies in the series

1.1Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013)

1.2Justice League: War (2014)

1.3Son of Batman (2014)

1.4Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (2015)

1.5Batman vs. Robin (2015)

1.6Batman: Bad Blood (2016)

1.7Justice League vs. Teen Titans (2016)

1.8Justice League Dark (2017)

1.9Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (2017)

1.10Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay (2018)

1.11The Death of Superman (2018)

1.12Reign of the Supermen (2019)

1.13Batman: Hush (2019)

1.14Wonder Woman: Bloodlines (2019)

So far, the only ones that don't seem to matter as much is Throne of Atlantis, Batman vs Robin, Batman Hush and Bloodlines.

This is what I needed. Next time someone is bullying you in the forum pm me and I'll make them cry

Penguin · May 5, 2020

Tabby said:
Which movies would you say are absolutely required before watching this?

I'm assuming Justice League Dark is one, any others?

Absolute to get the plot and stuff
Flashpoint Paradox
Justice League War to an extent
Justice League vs Teen Titans
Justice League Dark
Reign of the Supermen

Pandora012 · May 5, 2020

It's out? Gonna watch it tonight!!!

osnameless · May 5, 2020

Penguin said:
To me, perhaps one of the best, if not the best, films since they started the whole DTV animated line. I am shocked at how well they were able to tie together elements from so many of these movies and make it work. Even get some big emotional payoffs.

That said, as reviews noted, this is a pretty dark and down movie. And more of a Constantine film than anything.

Honestly, I've enjoyed it more than Endgame. Not hyperpole.

It's very well-made. It's well-paced. It's dark and grim which is one of its strongest points, like characters dying unceremonially, which makes you believe that there are stakes to what's happening.

I really am fascinated by how well they were able to tie everything together in 90 minutes.

Also, it feels like a very fitting ending to the whole New 52 Animated Universe. A lot of resonant themes with the first movie (Flashpoint Paradox), which I thought was excellent.

Most of the voice cast does a great job too.

one minor complaint, I was hoping to see

more of Raven and Trigon relationship. For some reason I was hoping for one gentle moment more than the one we got at the end.

Seriously though, there are a lot of things to love in that movie.

Something I also particularly appreciated is

seeing a mature and responsible Damien Wayne. His character arc, of sorts, throughout the movies have been great.

Jodez99 · May 5, 2020

Seen it, pretty good stuff. If I had to describe it I'd say it's like a mixture of Infinity War + Endgame but set in the New 52. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I will say it was pretty obvious what was gonna happen but didn't make it less enjoyable

osnameless · May 5, 2020

Tabby said:
Which movies would you say are absolutely required before watching this?

I'm assuming Justice League Dark is one, any others?

I mean there are a lot of references and nods to past events, but even if you didn't feel like going back all the way back and went into it blind, you can appreciate it a lot.

Penguin said:
Absolute to get the plot and stuff
Flashpoint Paradox
Justice League War to an extent
Justice League vs Teen Titans
Justice League Dark
Reign of the Supermen

This is a pretty good answer. Just take note that Reign of the Superman is a two-part movie. Death of the Superman and Reign of the Superman.

Penguin · May 5, 2020

osnameless said:
Honestly, I've enjoyed it more than Endgame. Not hyperpole.

It's very well-made. It's well-paced. It's dark and grim which is one of its strongest points, like characters dying unceremonially, which makes you believe that there are stakes to what's happening.

I really am fascinated by how well they were able to tie everything together in 90 minutes.

Also, it feels like a very fitting ending to the whole New 52 Animated Universe. A lot of resonant themes with the first movie (Flashpoint Paradox), which I thought was excellent.

Most of the voice cast does a great job too.

one minor complaint, I was hoping to see

more of Raven and Trigon relationship. For some reason I was hoping for one gentle moment more than the one we got at the end.

Seriously though, there are a lot of things to love in that movie.

Something I also particularly appreciated is

seeing a mature and responsible Damien Wayne. His character arc, of sorts, throughout the movies have been great.

On your last spoiler, and somewhat related to a character's arc

Even though this is the New 52 verse, I really do feel with time and hindsight it's the Damian Wayne saga. More than any other character including his father ties this whole universe together.

osnameless · May 5, 2020

Jodez99 said:
Seen it, pretty good stuff. If I had to describe it I'd say it's like a mixture of Infinity War + Endgame but set in the New 52. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I will say it was pretty obvious what was gonna happen but didn't make it less enjoyable

Yup. But again, it's impressive that they were able to tell a very solid story on the level of Infinity War and Endga,e with good pacing in only 90 minutes.

The way they narrated what happened at the first attack on multiple fronts was great.

Tabby · May 5, 2020

osnameless said:
I mean there are a lot of references and nods to past events, but even if you didn't feel like going back all the way back and went into it blind, you can appreciate it a lot.

This is a pretty good answer. Just take note that Reign of the Superman is a two-part movie. Death of the Superman and Reign of the Superman.

I've watched a few of them already but my memory is a bit hazy, I'm watching them as a refresher so references and easter eggs don't go over my head.

Rag · May 5, 2020

Does that mean there isn't a part 2 coming on Batman Hush? I don't know why I remember it ending abruptly and differently than the graphic novel, and hoping that there was a sequel on the way.

osnameless · May 5, 2020

Penguin said:
On your last spoiler, and somewhat related to a character's arc

Even though this is the New 52 verse, I really do feel with time and hindsight it's the Damian Wayne saga. More than any other character including his father ties this whole universe together.

I agree with you there. I think he is, if I am remembering correctly, the most dynamic character of all of them. He had a particular development in every movie he has been in since his debut.

On the other hand, and this is a very common complaint you will hear about this particular universe, is the way they handled Dick Grayson. He has been sadly both massively underutilized and nerfed.

I am kinda grateful they let him sit this one out

osnameless · May 5, 2020

Rag said:
Does that mean there isn't a part 2 coming on Batman Hush? I don't know why I remember it ending abruptly and differently than the graphic novel, and hoping that there was a sequel on the way.

I am not 100% sure, but I don't think so.

I think they just wanted to kinda subvert the ending of the novel, knowing that anyone who would be interested in that movie had already read the graphic novel, or at least is familiar with Hush.

The ending of this movie anyway is...

a definite reboot. Flash runs off again to restart the timeline.

So probably not unless they wanted to like retcon the ending of Batman: Hush.

Razgriz-Specter · May 5, 2020

Hopefully the continuity is Rebirth next.
Still funny they teased Barbara Gordon Batgirl and she never showed up again.

osnameless · May 5, 2020

Tabby said:
I've watched a few of them already but my memory is a bit hazy, I'm watching them as a refresher so references and easter eggs don't go over my head.

Yeah. There are some references here and there, but I would recommend watching the ones that focus on characters you like just to see how they are established.

The list that Penguin provided is a good way to go around it. I would recommend Flashpoint Paradox in particular. It lays the foundations of this universe and it's excellent in its own right.

Jodez99 · May 5, 2020

osnameless said:
Something I also particularly appreciated is

seeing a mature and responsible Damien Wayne. His character arc, of sorts, throughout the movies have been great.

Not really sure about that , not in this film anyway.

The world goes to shit so he takes over the league of assassins? Why would there even still need to be a league at that point. Plus he throws Grayson in the Lazarus pit which does not end well at all for Dick just because he "had to take a chance". Plus he wants to kill Superman and Lex and definitely would have done it if not stopped. Not very mature and responsible of him.

Penguin · May 5, 2020

Razgriz-Specter said:
Hopefully the continuity is Rebirth next.
Still funny they teased Barbara Gordon Batgirl and she never showed up again.

Not entirely true.
No speaking role, but her, Batwoman and Batwing are in the movie for 2 scenes

blueredandgold · May 5, 2020

I need to catch up, I was actually watching Hell to Pay. That was confusing, let me tell you.

These are vastly under-rated.

deadman322 · May 5, 2020

Razgriz-Specter said:
Hopefully the continuity is Rebirth next.
Still funny they teased Barbara Gordon Batgirl and she never showed up again.

wally is still MIA, only appearing in a flashback of dicks teen titans then nothing, whilst the other titans from that scene all appeared in this film

osnameless · May 5, 2020

Jodez99 said:
Not really sure about that , not in this film anyway.

The world goes to shit so he takes over the league of assassins? Why would there even still need to be a league at that point. Plus he throws Grayson in the Lazarus pit which does not end well at all for Dick just because he "had to take a chance". Plus he wants to kill Superman and Lex and definitely would have done it if not stopped. Not very mature and responsible of him.

You are pointing out legitimate flaws. However, compared to how annoying and unbearable he was in his debut movie, and how he steadily softened and changed with each movie, I think they handled it well for the most part.

This is maybe a lame comparison, but Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner had a similar treatment in the MCU (in that he was supposed to develop from one movie to another without having his own movie) and it felt rushed and clumsy, and most of his character's jumps were unfounded.

I didn't feel the same way about Damien who had believable changes throughout. At least in my opinion, he grows on you with each movie, and they kinda bring out a new side to him every time (his sympathy for animals in the Judas Contract is a good example).

They could have fleshed him out more stuff, especially when it comes to his relationship with Dick, but they did a good job overall.

When he

dies in his father's hands and his dying words to Bruce "Justice, not Vengeance". It made you feel he really came a long way. It was one of the movie's highlight by the way, and part of me wished he never came back. since a large part of this movie's appeal is how dark and grim it allowed itself to be.

But yeah, he wasn't perfect and it was implied he made some dumb choices during the time jump.

Pandora012 · May 5, 2020

Shit this was a good movie. Never would have imagined flashpoint would lead us to this point. Does this mean the new series will be based on rebirth?

But man..the shit some of these characters went through... Would not wish that on any one. This movie was freakin brutal.

Jodez99 · May 5, 2020

Pandora012 said:
Shit this was a good movie. Never would have imagined flashpoint would lead us to this point. Does this mean the new series will be based on rebirth?

Supposedly the next film is Superman: Man of Tomorrow, which will focus on the early years of his career

Wrexis · May 5, 2020

Ok, I was blown away by it. It's definitely DCAU: Endgame. So brutal! They don't hold back at all.

Seeing heroes get ripped in half - literally - actually left me speechless. Shazam went out like a champ though.

These movies have been very hit and miss, but it tells an excellent story.
I never expected certain things to happen in this movie, and they did.

I wish they didn't trigger another Flashpoint though.

Demon Lizardman · May 5, 2020

This is some of the edgiest shit I've seen. Injustice look tame in comparison.

Bor Gullet · May 5, 2020

Demon Lizardman said:
This is some of the edgiest shit I've seen. Injustice look tame in comparison.

It actually kind of turned me off.

Felt like something an edgy 14 year old thought of.

ZeroX · May 5, 2020

Wow this sounds great, might have to watch

MadLaughter · May 5, 2020

They treat a lot of the heroes like they're random peasants from the Castlevania animated series

Pandora012 · May 5, 2020

Wrexis said:
Ok, I was blown away by it. It's definitely DCAU: Endgame. So brutal! They don't hold back at all.

Seeing heroes get ripped in half - literally - actually left me speechless. Shazam went out like a champ though.

These movies have been very hit and miss, but it tells an excellent story.
I never expected certain things to happen in this movie, and they did.

I wish they didn't trigger another Flashpoint though.

It needed to happen tho....things went too far into the crazy

Literally everyone is mentally traumatized. Let alone those that got an extra dose of physical trauma. Like, they are all fucked up. For example, I don't even know how someone like Hawkman even deals after what was done.

HeartlessNobody2134 · May 5, 2020

Didn't remind me of Infinity War or Endgame at all. Honestly it gave me a History of Trunks vibe, mainly because I knew how it would end.

Pretty violent but Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay was also and FlashPoint Paradox to a lesser extent.

This continuity definitely went out with a bang and it's one of the better films in this series.

TheMadTitan · May 5, 2020

This version of the DCAU had some ups and downs, but they definitely went out the way they were supposed to.

I just hate that they continuously used the PG-13 flashes to disguise the punches when characters were delimbed and decapitated all over the place.

Hopefully they don't botch the next round of movies like the beginning of this round did.

Old Man Spike · May 5, 2020

"We're just gonna reboot this crap anyway, so let's turn 'teh mature' up a notch and make this into a snuff film while pretending there are stakes."

Bor Gullet said:
It actually kind of turned me off.

Felt like something an edgy 14 year old thought of.

So, "New 52" -era DC in a nutshell. Or Ultimatum.

Good riddance.

Bor Gullet · May 5, 2020

TheMadTitan said:
This version of the DCAU had some ups and downs, but they definitely went out the way they were supposed to.

I just hate that they continuously used the PG-13 flashes to disguise the punches when characters were delimbed and decapitated all over the place.

Hopefully they don't botch the next round of movies like the beginning of this round did.

Those flashes are usually part of the superhero animation style, I think it's a stylistic choice.

Neoxon · May 5, 2020

One minor thing...

It was kinda bittersweet that Damian grew to accept Dick as his older brother, only for what happened to Dick to occur.

Anyway, the DCAMU had its ups & downs, but it definitely went out with a bang.

firstseeker · May 5, 2020

Damn, one of the best CBM I've seen!

The feeling of dread and hopelessness while watching this is something you rarely feel in CBM's. Seriously, how often you feel the weight of despair of what is supposed to be the end of the world that comes from a global threat in comic book movies? Well this one shows in all its gory detail!!!

J_Viper · May 5, 2020

This sounds, and even better, looks great. Good to see WB gave this one a budget. I hope this means the New Grounds art style is dead.

Can't wait to check it out.

TheMadTitan · May 5, 2020

Bor Gullet said:
Those flashes are usually part of the superhero animation style, I think it's a stylistic choice.

The flashes may be a style choice, but they're not a superhero thing, more of a "we're skirting the lines for the ratings board" thing any other time they're used.

They didn't annoy me, I just thought it was weird.

TheMadTitan · May 5, 2020

J_Viper said:
This sounds, and even better, looks great. Good to see WB gave this one a budget. I hope this means the New Grounds art style is dead.

Can't wait to check it out.

The art style for the movies was never really the problem; it was the fact that up until midway through the franchise, they never really provided a budget to match what they were trying to do, resulting in a lot of cut corners.

Stinkles · May 5, 2020

Huh. I might check this out. Don't know too much about them but could be fun.

This film takes full advantage of the fact that it's the final chapter in a 15-movie arc

Skyebaron · May 5, 2020

Penguin said:
Absolute to get the plot and stuff
Flashpoint Paradox
Justice League War to an extent
Justice League vs Teen Titans
Justice League Dark
Reign of the Supermen

Thanks for this

TheMadTitan · May 5, 2020

Stinkles said:
Huh. I might check this out. Don't know too much about them but could be fun.

You really only need to watch four movies.

Unlike the MCU, each movie doesn't necessary flesh out or tie into the next; they introduce characters and relationships. All you need to do is watch Justice League War, Death of Superman, Reign of Superman, and then this movie.

edit: I guess you could include the Flashpoint Paradox in this as well. Teen Titans vs Justice League too, but not even I watched that and still understood what was going on. And if you're familiar with the comics or the Flashpoint event, you can skip the movie.

Actinium · May 5, 2020

Most of this series has been okay, i thought this was one of the worse ones. Borderline fanfician, they threw out a jumbled hour and a half of deaths, mutilations, and romances that they knew didn't really mean anything because they were snuffing out the timeline.

Bor Gullet · May 5, 2020

Stinkles said:
Huh. I might check this out. Don't know too much about them but could be fun.

The Death of Superman film they released two years back is very good and I would recommend checking it out.

Justice League Dark: Apokolips War Review [OT] Dark Finale for the DC Animated Universe

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