JUSTICE LEAGUE:
CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS PART ONE (2023)
Limited Edition Steelbook 4K Ultra HD + Digital
Label: WBHE
Region Code: Region-Free
Rating: PG-13
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1 with Optional English Subtitles
Video: HDR 2160p Ultra HD Widescreen (1.78:1)
Director: Jeff Wamester
Cast: Darren Criss, Stana Katic, Jensen Ackles, Matt Bomer, Meg Donnelly, Jimmi Simpson, Zachary Quinto, Jonathan Adams, Ike Amadi, , Geoffrey Arend, Zack Callison, Alexandra Daddario, Alastair Duncan, Matt Lanter, Ato Essandoh, Cynthia Hamidi, Aldis Hodge, Erika Ishii, David Kaye, Ashleigh LaThrop, Liam Mcintyre, Nolan North, Lou Diamond Phillips, Harry Shum Jr
Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths Part One (2023) is the first of a three-part trilogy that will wrap up the current Tomorrowverse story arc from DCAU that began with Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2020). It's very loosely adapted from DC’s iconic 12-issue comic book limited series ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ (1985-1986) by writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Pérez, a massive cross-over series that set out to eliminate the then out-of-control and overly expansive DC Multiverse to create a single, unified DC Universe, and one that blew my mind as a kiddo.
In it an elderly and very wizardly looking version of John Constantine (Nolan North, Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons) sends Barry Allen/The Flash (Matt Bomer, Doom Patrol) on trip through time, revisiting consequential time points in his life, this includes the night he got the speed force, his marriage day to Iris West, and a battle with the power absorbing android Amazo (North, again). In response to Amazo's attack the Justice League is formed with Superman (Darren Criss), Batman (Jensen Ackles, Amazon's The Boys), Green Arrow (Jimmi Simpson, HBO's Westworld), Vixen (Keesha Sharp), and Martian Manhunter (Ike Amadi, Justice League: Warworld). A later battle with Amazo also features Lex Luthor (Zachary Quinto, TV's NOS4A2), it is revealed that Amazo who was created by scientist Anthony Ivo to protect humanity, but Luthor has manipulated Ivo and has perverted Amazo's programming to interpret killing superhumans as protecting humanity for Luthor's benefit, 'natch. Next The Flash is sent to the parallel Earth-3, where a evil version of the JLA known as the Crime Syndicate control the entire world, comprised of Ultraman, Superwoman, Owlman, Johnny Quick and Power Ring. Here the traditional Crisis on Infinite Earth's begins to take shape, as an anti-matter wave is destroying the parallel Earths, Harbinger (Meg Donnelly, Legion of Super-Heroes) arrives to gather the multiverses strongest superheroes to fight the anti-matter wave, and the multiversal being the Monitor (Jonathan Adams, TV's Last Man Standing) arrives to help devise a plan to save all reality as we know it.
Now I will say that this is quite a departure from what I remember about the DC Crisis on Infinite Earth comics, but it's been a long time coming, but that in and of itself does not bother me. I love it when adaptation go their own way and do something different, but I did feel that their was just not enough Crisis epicness happening here, but I will allow that this is only part one of three parts for this film series, so there's some heavy lifting and set-up happening here, I and I would expect more payoff in the next two installments, which means while their is an arc and resolution in this first part, it still feels incomplete, because that what it is. Also, this is very Barry Allen/The Flash-centric, it's pretty well grounded in his character and that works pretty well, but being the first part of a planned trilogy can sometimes make for a rough start, but this was still quite an entertaining watch. As the Moniot assembles heroes from multiple Earths to save all of reality from an unstoppable antimatter Armageddon we gets loads of superheros that fill the screen in the latter half, and it's awesome, we get Hawkman (Geoffrey Arend, Super Troopers), Robin (Zach Callison, The Goldbergs), Blue Beetle (Matt Lanter, Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Dawnstar (Cynthia Hamidi, Legion of Super-Heroes), Green Lantern, Huntress (Erika Ishii, Vampire: The Masquerade: L.A. By Night), The Question (David Kaye, Transformers: Cybertron), Aquaman (Liam McIntyre, TV's Spartacus), The Spectre (Lou Diamond Phillips, Bats) and Brainiac 5 (Harry Shum Jr., Crazy Rich Asians), plus more in the background that aren't too active but are still cool to see, and I am sure they will have more to do in the sequels..
You won't have to wait too long for the sequels, parts two and three of the Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Trilogy are set to debut later this year.
Audio/Video: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part One (2023) on 4K Ultra HD from WBHE in 2160p UHD with the benefit of HDR color-grading. The HDR-enhanced colors are bold and vibrant, black levels are fantastic, and contrast is pleasing. Audio comes by way of English DTS-HD MA 5.1 with optional English subtitles. The track delivers dialogue and small screen action-sequences with aplomb, plenty dynamic but not quite epic. The supportive score from Kevin Riepl (Legion of Super-Heroes) sounds great as well.
Extras include a 9-min Crisis Prime(r) wherein the filmmakers talk about creating the comprehensive animated universe across seven DCU films as well as this three-part adaptation; plus an 8-min The Selfless Speedster explore The Flash’s role in the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” comic series and how that stacks up against his role in the animated adaptation. There's also a digital-only extra by way of Silent Treatment – Film Clip from Justice League Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Two that I have noy been able to access yet.
The single-disc UHD release arrives in a Limited Edition Steelbook packaging featuring the same artwork as the standard edition 4K UHD and Blu-ray releases, but it has a very nice matte-finish with metallic highlights on the front, and on the back are images of the multiverse Earth's. Inside we get a gathering of the heroes image from the film. Tucked away inside is a redemption code for a digital UHD copy of the film.
Special Features:
- Crisis Prime(r): The filmmakers reveal in detail their intricate plan to create a comprehensive animated universe across seven films, concluding with the events of the three-part adaptation Justice League Crisis on Infinite Earths. (9:39)
- The Selfless Speedster: Explore The Flash’s legendary role in the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” comic series, the creative process that brought him to life in the animated adaptation, and the vocal performance behind his heroic and romantic story. (8:02)
- Digital Only Extra: Silent Treatment – Film Clip from Justice League Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Two
