DC Universe Animated Original Movies

(Co-directed by Lauren Montgomery)

The movie is partially based on the celebrated Superman story from the 1990s - Doomsday. Superman is apparently killed in his attempt to stop Doomsday, a robot that is the perfect fighting machine.But he isn't quite dead, because Kal-El, son of Krypton cannot die as long as lives on Earth. In Superman's absence, Lex Luthor tightens his grip on Metropolis and Lois Lane is left heartbroken. Is there any hope left for this city? As usual, the animation ensures that the acting is perfect and story is very good to back that up. A good sci-fi action adventure for both fans and the uninitiated.

The movie traces the origins on the Justice League in the 1950s, just after the Korean War. A cult called 'The Center' is inexplicably rising in influence worldwide and it's up to the League to stop the destructive threat that it actually represents. The story takes too long to explore the origins of the many, many characters that form the league and even then it leaves out several of them. In addition to the origins, political messages are also shoved into the mix. All of this doesn't leave much room to tell a detailed story and the result is a weak jumble that doesn't do justice to any of the themes it tries to tackle. Possibly, the weakest of the movies on this list.

(Directed by Lauren Montgomery)

Tells the origin story of Diana/Wonder Woman of the Amazons. It's a decent movie and attempts to tell a pretty balanced tale - combining action and plot. Any of these movies that involves Lauren Montgomery seems to come out decent to good.

(Directed by Lauren Montgomery)

The movie is a pretty decent sci-fi action adventure. It tells the story of Hal Jordan, as he becomes the newest member of the Green Lantern corps and must prove himself to his peers. Unfortunately, there's a threat to the existence of the Green Lanterns themselves. Hal Jordan works against time ensure the survival of the corps and prevent their destruction. The biggest advantage of animation - you always have great acting, which is true here as well, married to a good balance of story and action.

It's basically endless action sequences punctuated by some plot. While the fact that the movie is based on Superman/Batman: World's Finest gave me some hope that it'll be good, my expectations were betrayed. The plot is pretty thin. Lex Luthor becomes president and is hell-bent on destroying Superman and the rest of the superheroes (except those that for him). He has Superman framed for the murder of Metallo and then puts a bounty of a billion dollars on his head. Meanwhile, a meteorite made of Kryptonite is hurling towards Earth and someone has to destroy it before it hits the planet.

90% of the movie is just action sequences, so there not much more depth than what I've already described. The only thing that saves this movie from being a total write-off is some of the interaction between Superman and Batman, when their masks (and defences) are down. That's about the only aspect of the movie that I truly enjoyed.

(Co-directed by Lauren Montgomery)

The movie takes the idea of alternate worlds that's been done to death in the DC universe and makes a decent movie out of it. Lex Luthor from an alternate Earth comes to the main DC Earth to ask for the Justice League's help. Turns out he's a good guy, the opposite of the evil Lex, and his Earth is plagued by evil super-beings. The Justice League goes over and in due course, turns things around, as is expected.

The interesting parts are the interactions between the two sets of super-beings, especially Batman and his evil opposite Owlman. Owlman is interesting because he's unhinged in the way Batman is, but his mental balance his tipped over to the more insane side of his character. The good Lex and Superman also make a good pairing, since Superman instinctively distrusts him, but then gets over it. All in all, there's enough interesting moments to help this movie rise above the average.

(Directed by Lauren Montgomery)

This movie tells the origin story of Supergirl, cousin of Superman. She is desired by Darkseid for her supreme strength, to be the captain of his Furies. It takes the combined talents of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman to save her from that fate. A well told tale, again confirming the ability of director Lauren Montgmery to deliver good stories within the limitations of the genre.

(Co-directed by Lauren Montgomery)

(Co-directed by Lauren Montgomery)