Title: Justice League:
Starcrossed: Parts 1 – 3
Starring The Voices Of: Kevin
Conroy, Carl Lumbly, Efram Zimblast, Jr., and Elizabeth Pena
Writers: Rich Fogel and Dwaine
McDuffie
Based on the Characters In: D.C.
Comics
Directors: Butch Lukie, John
Ridley, and Dan Riba
Producers: Bruce Timm, James
Tucker, and Rich Fogel
Running Time: 64 minutes without
commercials
Media: Cartoon Network Original
Animated Series Finale (NTSC VHS Screener)
Premiere Saturday, May 29, 2004,
at 7:30pm (ET/PT)
Network: Cartoon Network (Check
your local cable/satellite listings for channel)
TV Rating: Not Available At Time
Of Review
Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera
They say all
good things come to an end, but within the ashes are the seeds of a new
beginning. The acclaimed Cartoon Network original series “Justice League”
comes to a close on Saturday, May 29, 2004, at 7:30pm (ET/PT) with the
three-part episode “Starcrossed,” which will air consecutively as one 90
minute animated feature including commercials. This climax to “Justice
League” is nothing short of terrific. A huge army from Hawkgirl’s home
planet of Thanagar arrives on Earth to warn the world leaders of an imminent
invasion by their mortal enemies, the Gordanians. Unfortunately everything is
not as it seems as the League is forced to deal with their greatest threat yet,
an enemy from within.
“Justice
League: Starcrossed” is so well structured storywise that as a writer and
reviewer, I admire the symmetry of the episode, which manages to highlight each
character in such a way that we as viewers can fell empathy for them when
they’re down and cheer when they fight back. Some people envy superheroes, but
personally I envy the writers who penned this three-part episode. God bless
their talent.
The league
members get their butts kicked royally complete with a scene where Wonder Woman
literally is body slammed face first onto a table. The scene where the heroes
are forced to reveal their secret identities to each other is touching while
never getting sappy. There are some great character interactions here too that
lend some humor and pathos to the events as they unfold. Everything is not so
easily resolved either. That is not to state that the series finale ends on a
sour note or a cliffhanger because that is not the case. The conclusion wraps
things up in such a way as to maintain a strong adult feel while still being
exciting for kids of any age, which is one of the great things I love about
“Justice League.” The finale also opens the door to a new series that will
premiere on Cartoon Network in August entitled “Justice League: Unlimited.”
The new series will feature Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern as
the senior members of the league with Supergirl, Green Arrow, the Atom, Booster
Gold, Hawk & Dove, Elongated Man, The Question, Mister Miracle, Big Barda,
and Zantanna.
There are a
few little visual homages to some classic sci-fi like a scene where a skull gets
crushed that is reminiscent of the opening scene on “Terminator 2: Judgment
Day” and the design of the starships look a bit like the Sulaco from
“Aliens.” The storyline is reminiscent of so many invasion stories that I
simply can’t list them all here. My only caveat with the episode lies with the
production design of the interior of the Thanagarian starships. An alien race
with wings that can fly would probably have an environment that would be less
two dimensional in nature since they don’t need to climb stars, ride an
elevator or walk up and down a ramp to get from one place to the next. I mean
NASA takes into account the advantages and disadvantages of weightlessness when
it plans the construction of any craft designed to carry a human into outer
space. Practicality is the key and while I know this is not a scientific
documentary series, the best fiction incorporates as much of the real world as
possible to help suspend our disbelief. So while it may not impact the story
directly, indirectly it detracts from the fantasy and adventure.
“Justice
League: Starcrossed” will premiere on Cartoon Network on Saturday, May 29,
2004, at 7:30pm (ET/PT) and it is not to be missed!
© Copyright
2004 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.