Netflix Minute: Justice League Crisis on Two Earths

Netflix Minute is a weekly feature highlighting a title from Netflix's catalog of instant view films. If you want to spend a night snuggled up with a bag of popcorn and don't want to drive to the video store, this is for you.

In recent years, DC Comics has been on a direct-to-DVD animated film spree under the name of "DC Universe Animated Original Movies". Some of the films haven't been too impressive, but it's generally agreed upon that they've gotten better as the effort has pushed on. Earlier this year, DC Comics and Warner Premiere released the seventh in the series, loosely based on Grant Morrison's JLA Earth 2 graphic novel. Titled Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, it focuses on an alternate universe where what seems like familiar superheroes aren't what they seem.

The story starts off with Lex Luthor and "The Jester" breaking into a high security facility owned by the Crime Syndicate. After a valiant showdown and a narrow escape, Luthor uses a dimensional-travel device to slip into a much more recognizable world protected by Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and some of their comrades. When Luthor turns himself in at a police station to talk to Superman, it's clear that this isn't the same Luthor locked up at the maximum security prison down the street. Before long, he manages to convince this universe's Justice League that he's one of the good guys and that they should travel back with him to save his world from the Crime Syndicate.

If this scenario seems a little confusing, it's important to recognize the comic book context. This movie is far more approachable if you have at least some knowledge of the DC universe, though you needn't be an expert. Like most of the Animated Original Movies, the strongest point is definitely the superhero-on-supervillian fight scenes while the plot wears a little thin in spots. Also like the others, this one employs a variety of different voice talent for each of the characters, so the quality is somewhat spotty and unfamiliar if you're intimate with the stars of the animated television series (Kevin Conroy, Carl Lumbly, Michael Rosenbaum, et al).

When it comes down to it, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths will probably appeal most to those already invested in the DC Universe. However, short animated films like this can probably go a long way to introducing newcomers to some of the comic book basics. I'd recommend anyone who's a DC Comics fan give this a try.

Score: 3 out of 5
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