“Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox” is an animated movie released in 2013 produced by Warner Bros. Animation and distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. This animated movie adapts one of the most famous and fenomenal title in DC Comics called “Flashpoint” that was published in 2011. That title is also a turning point for DC Comics to release the New 52 comic story lines. The plot for the animated movie mainly takes inspiration from the comics but with additional changes. Flashpoint mainly tells a story about Barry Allen, also known as The Flash, who travels in to the past to change the fate of his mother. The change that was made by Barry causes a ripple effect causing the alteration of the world History. By far, this animated movie adaptation is one of the most successful adaptations from comic book to an animated film. In this article, the writer will review a few aspects of this movie such as plot, themes, characters, visuals and voice casting and music.
The plot for "Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox" follows the story about Barry Allen, also known as the Flash, who wakes up in a very different world where he doesn’t have his super speed powers. In the new world, Wonder Woman and Aquaman are fighting each other and causing a lot of damage. Thomas Wayne is the one who becomes Batman, and Bruce died instead of his parents. Cyborg is a very important hero, and Superman is being kept in a government lab. Flash understands that things are different now because he went back in time to stop his mom from being killed. This action had a big impact, changing important events in the timeline. Worried about the timeline, Flash teams up with Batman, Cyborg, and some fighters to try to fix it. The fight between Wonder Woman and Aquaman gets worse, while Flash tries to get his powers back with Batman’s help. In the end, he manages to go back in time and stop his past self from saving his mother, which fixes everything. However, Flash still remembers how the world changed, and it serves as a sad reminder of what happens when people try to change time. The movie ends with Barry going to see Bruce Wayne and giving him a letter from his dad, Thomas Wayne. This brings their relationship to a heartfelt conclusion.
The main theme for this movie is time travel and its consequences. When Barry travels back in time and then prevents his mother from being murdered, the timeline becomes altered. In the main timeline, Bruce Wayne is the batman. But in the flashpoint timeline, Bruce Wayne was murdered in crime alley instead of his parents. This tragedy sets up the origin of Thomas Wayne in becoming the Batman instead of Bruce because he is dead in this timeline. Superman’s space pod was supposed to land on Smallville, Kansas. But in the flashpoint timeline, his space pod lands on the center of Metropolis causing many deaths and leads to Kal-El or Superman being detained by the government as an infant and not being adopted by the Kents. The Justice League also never existed because the heroes were never there in the first place. Hal Jordan didn’t become the Green Lantern, Barry didn’t become the Flash, Superman is detained by the government, and Aquaman is at war against Wonder Woman. The world is also in a crisis because the destruction that is caused by the war between the atlanteans and the amazonians are devastating. Those are the few examples of the alterations that is caused by Barry’s time travel.
There are many characters in this movie. But, the spotlight is mainly pointed to Flash and Batman. They also experienced character development throughout the movie. In the beginning of the movie, Barry is a person haunted by his grief and loss that is caused by the death of his mother. Those emotions are the main trigger to drive him to travel back in time to prevent her death. Barry’s decision to travel back in time and save his mother is considered as selfish and impulsive. This also shows that Barry has a human vulnerability just like any other regular humans. After going through all of the events of Flashpoint, Barry learns that every action will have its consequences, even though his intentions are good, the outcome may not be a good one. Barry also becomes a more mature person that understands his responsibility as a hero. Barry willing to travel back in time again to stop himself from altering the timeline. This self-sacrifice is driven by his feeling of responsibility as a hero to save the world.
Thomas Wayne, the Batman of this timeline, is a different take from the usual Batman. This Batman is more violent and aggressive. He also used guns as his main arsenal. Very contradictive from Bruce’s version of Batman where he doesn’t use guns at all. Thomas’ motivation is also driven by vengeance. The difference is, his pain and grief is more deeper than Bruce that leads him to use lethal force. Thomas is depicted as a skeptical person because he doesn’t believe Barry’s story about the whole different timeline thing. Despite his doubts, Thomas decides to help Barry regain his powers. This reluctant alliance showcases Thomas’s underlying hope that Barry’s story might be true and that there is a chance to restore a better world. In the end, Thomas did some heroic things and sacrifices to help Barry to restore the world into a better one.
The animation quality for this movie is considered one of the best animations in 2013. The action sequences give excitement and the execution is well delivered. The color tone of this movie really fits into its dark and gloomy theme. Overall, the animation is high quality. As for the voice castings, this movie does a pretty good job. Every voice actor suits their character, specifically Barry and Thomas. For the music score and sound effects, this movie successfully synchronized them so the audience could experience the moment at its peak.
In conclusion, this movie is considered to be one of the best DC Animated Movie Universe. Successfully adapts from comic to animated. Comic book readers might like this movie. Specially DC Comics reader. This movie is also suitable for people who wants to understand the deep lore of DC Comics storylines without reading the comic.
