Reviews

As an avid watcher and reader of all things DC Comics related, I can look back upon the DC Animated Universe (or DCAMU), and for all its many faults and shortcomings, view a certain, undeniable fondness that I can't shake no matter what I may do. Perhaps it's just simple yet blinding nostalgia--sense I followed this universe for about 5 years before its end, making them some of my first forays into "more mature, more adult" comics and comic book adaptations.

So with the semi-recent release of "Justice League Dark: Apokolips War," I have made the decision to review all the films in this universe, and see what I think about them, looking back at 7 years of content and 16 different films. So because I'm bored, and regardless of the fact that I'm 6 months late to the party, shall we begin with this universe's humble beginnings with "Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox."

And upon rewatching it for the first time in 3 years or so, I can 100% say, with no hints of dishonestly, that this one totally holds up.

One day Flash (Barry Allen), wakes in a world where he is not the Flash, and where everything's gone to crap. Aquaman and Wonder Woman are at war in Europe, Bruce Wayne is dead and Thomas Wayne is a Batman who murders people like no tomorrow, and other things gone awry. Of course, Flash needs to rally the heroes he can and figure out what exactly has gone down that created this unfavorable reality. And man, if this hour and 21 minutes doesn't satisfy even the most easily bored individual, you can shoot me on the spot, because this film truly knows HOW exactly to build the stakes. It first depicts the Flash's origin, and the personal stakes of that, as Barry is presented with the guilt of being unable to stop that, despite the great power his future would grant him. Then, once the world is changed for the worst, Flash is forced to face the people he once called his friends, now either different, or dead all together, with some becoming his enemies and other reluctant allies. Then, the entire world is caught in the balance thanks to his actions, as revealed later in the film by Reverse Flash the twist that it was Barry who caused everything by going back in time to save his mother and messing up the time stream. As Reverse Flash puts it: "Break the sound barrier and you cause a sonic boom. You broke the time barrier, time boom."

Then, it masterfully circles back around with Flash being forced to let his mother die to ensure the safety of the Earth, like any nobel superhero would do. This really puts a whole new meaning to the saying "You can't save everyone," doesn't it? Perfectly, it sums up that one quote in this film that is brought up again in JLDAW, "Accept the things you can't change. Have the courage to change what you can. And have the wisdom to know the difference." Great stuff.

Another thing I'd like to point out here is the voice cast, which is stellar to say the least. Justin Chambers as the Flash, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, Cary Elwes as Aquaman, Vanessa Marshall as Wonder Woman, C. Thomas Howell as Reverse Flash, who just gives me the chills with his every line delivery, the legendary Kevin Conroy as Batman (Bruce Wayne) for as small of a role he plays in this one, it's still good to his voice, Kevin McKidd as Batman (Thomas Wayne), Sam Daly as Superman, Michael B. Jordan as Cyborg, Dana Delany as Lois Lane, Jennifer Hale as Iris West, and so many others. It's really kind of a shame that most of them would be replaced after this film, even if they were good, too, which is the case for many of them. And yeah, I know the universe rebooted itself and all by the end, but how exactly does that change their voices to the point that it's noticeable? Like with Green Lantern, voiced by Justin Kirk in "Justice League: War," whose accent changed between films, as Fillion sounded a lot more southern than Kirk, and while I thought he did a great job in JLW, it's just kind of strange, especially considering how they would bring Fillion back for the film after that, "Justice League: Throne of Atlantis." But the amount of recastings in this universe is a whole can of worms.

The point is, this film has some great voice acting.

Also in the sound department, there's the excellent musical score by Friedrich Weidman, who beautifully expresses the urgency and bleakness of everything in the film with his piece that plays during the climax, "The Last Man Standing/Speed Force Theme." It just makes everything feel so damn cinematic. The only thing that makes its accompanying sequence better is the end of it, where Barry stops himself from changing the past and says "Mom, I'm so sorry."

Long story short, I love this movie. It's shocking. And it's surprisingly beautiful at times. It starts this universe on a strong foundation in which it would blossom to something that wasn't always perfect, but never failed to entertain. Aside from some strange moments, like Flash somehow inverting the colors on his suit without any real explanation, with superspeed--presumably? I don't know. It is a great way to kill time.

This 2016 short film from the minds of Star Wars fans, is easily comparable to the original trilogy and prequel films. "Darth Maul: Apprentice" was a fan-film released online, and it's one of the best pieces of Star Wars media... It's an impressive visual spectacle, and a film filled to the brim with a surprising amount of substance.

Praises:

1.) The Visuals: Okay, first I will discuss the less important aspects of the film, then move on to the writing and story. But first...the visuals. The film's visual style is...how do I put it...astounding. While the CGI effects don't look especially real, for a fan-film, they're pretty impressive. Along with that, the make-up and costumes are well made and clearly had put has a lot of effort put into it. The cinematography is perfect, and the film is shot on real location. And if the film had a bigger budget, or was made a few years earlier, it would look like a big budget blockbuster. And even still, just look at the film, and it would be hard to guess that it was a fan-project.

2.) The Characters: Now, into the more important parts of a movie. The characters are all excellently written. First I will discuss the two main Jedi, then the title character.

The two main characters of the film are, and the Jedi are very simple characters, but I like to say, less is more, and as this is a short film, these kinds of films value that saying. The master and apprentice relationship is pretty well demonstrated. Simply through visuals we can see the bond they share, by staying by each other's side and defending each other. And both actors (Mathis Landwehr and Svenja Jung) gave excellent performances (for a fan-film). But the two also contained flaws, as the Jedi master was too confident in his abilities to fight Maul, soon leading to his own demise. And the apprentice didn't have the confidence to fight him. Until she was cornered by the Sith at the end of the film, finally taking the courage to fight him, but it still wasn't enough. And she was killed as well.

However, the most interesting character in the film was Darth Maul. As he relentlessly hunted down the Jedi, we saw his compassion. As he kind of felt bad about killing every Jedi. Evident by the final confrontation, where he clearly hesitated in killing the Jedi apprentice. But sense his master was watching him, he mercilessly killed her. In a scene that was both heart-breaking and chilling to the bone. The film shows us a side we never saw to Darth Maul, his compassion and sorrow, a side that was killed by his master, Darth Sidious. As in just 18 minutes, we see the complete transformation and arc of this man. Loosing his softer side, soon being taken by the monster in him.

The only depiction of Maul I can compare it to is the one in "The Clone Wars" series. And in that, he is a much different person. This is early Maul, someone who didn't out as a demented person, but became one. It's very much a Nurture vs. Nature thing, Maul being turned into an evil person. At least, that's my interpretation.

3.) Story and Themes: The story of "Darth Maul: Apprentice" is a story of survival. The two main Jedi being ill-equipped to survive. And Darth Maul hunting them down. He was the hunter, and they were the hunted. Maul learning to embrace his status as the hunter, and do what he believed needed to be done. Even when it would have been a good choice to run, a suggestion the Jedi apprentice made to her master, but the master being too cocky. Believing he could be the hunter, but being dead wrong. And when the apprentice was cornered, she decided to survive, but wasn't equipped for the challenge.

Again, maybe I'm reading too deep, and it was just meant to be a cool fan-film. But I believe there was an overarching theme in this film. And the fact I was able to get all that from a short fan-film, still surprises me. And while this film is able to make me think like that, and write this review, some two or even three-hour films can't write this well, with more time than this film has to tell its story simply boggles my mind.

Well...to conclude, less is more. Sometimes, by having less your more creative, and you are able to craft something more interesting. This film is somehow better than the stuff Disney is making with Star Wars, because it's made by people who don't care, and have no passion for Star Wars. This on the other-hand, is made by people who like the franchise, and wanting to make a good film about Star Wars. It's a film that shows, art doesn't come from who has the most money, it comes from who has the most passion. And the force is strong with this one.

I like Casey Jones, he's one of my favorite TMNT characters, and when I heard about this fan-film, I was excited to watch. But I am not gonna lie, I was a little disappointed. Now, the first two thirds of the film were great, but by the climax, the film completely falls apart.

Okay, first I will praise the film, and explain it's merrits. First thing, for a fan-film, it's looks quite nice. Using its low budget to create a dirty and grimmy ascetic, really pulling you into this world.

And the action, as well as stunt-work, is excellently put together (for a fan-film). Using all practical effects.

Along with that, Casey is a surprisingly well written character, someone who claims to fight for justice, but hurts criminals to please his rage. The performance is also great. Along with that, even though she's barely in the film, Casey's mother is also well written, clearly the logical side in Casey's life, a person he constantly ignores. The writing all around was stellar...until the end.

Speaking of that, (spoilers) but the movie ended with Casey running into Michaelangelo of the Turtles. He told Casey about how he shouldn't hurt criminals, in an alright fight. But then the footclan, and he told Casey to knock himself out. They fought them, ran into Krang (for some reason), Casey almost died. Mikey took to the sewers (which looked amazing by the way, great set), and it ended with some thieves taking a pizza, and Casey beating them up.

The Fiotclan came out of nowhere, and never came back into the film. Casey took a backseat, and the film forgot about Casey's arc, and he's exactly the same as he was before. Running into the Turtles changed nothing, and the film was just being too ambitious. Sometimes less is more. And creativity doesn't come with making things big, sometimes it can be small. And fan-films (I'm sorry to say), shouldn't be bombastic.

Either way, I still enjoyed this film. It was a unique little fan-film, with lots of passion put into it. The characters are still compelling, the writing mostly works, and the visuals are impressive. Overall, I recommend it, even with it's problems.