Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths Blu-ray

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

 (2010)

Animation



In a parallel Earth ruled by the Crime Syndicate, the Justice League must fight their evil doppelgangers in a battle that would be dead even, except that their malicious counterparts are willing to do the one thing Batman and Superman never would: kill.

For more details about Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths on Blu-ray, see the Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths Blu-ray Review

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


Fanboys the world over should be well aware of mainstay producer Bruce Timm's less-is-more animation style. His characters are incredibly expressive, but his lineart is sketchy; his color palette is bold, but his worlds are shallow; his designs emphasize movement over form, but lack texture and dimension. Love it or hate it, Warner has preserved its every nick and splotch with yet another cool and capable 1080p/VC-1-encoded presentation. With gorgeous Superman blues and reds, brilliant Martian greens, stalwart Luthor golds, and inky Batman blacks, every frame is brimming with confident, commanding colors. Moreover, detail is sharp to a fault, showcasing the errant line ends, pencil strokes, and unclosed fills that dot the animation. It isn't always an impressive sight -- particularly when close-ups exacerbate these inherent issues -- but the technical transfer is sound. If it weren't for the incessant banding that appears in so many shots, I'd slap a perfect score across the image and call it a day. Alas, even my son, speeding his way through his fifth year on the planet, asked me why the skies were striped. Faint aliasing and artifacting occasionally rear their heads as well, but only the most discerning videophiles among you will spot each instance. All things considered, Warner's transfer offers an above average experience akin to Superman/Batman: Public Enemies and Wonder Woman.

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


For reasons I can't hope to understand, Warner has decided that Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths doesn't deserve the sort of TrueHD mix it afforded Green Lantern: First Flight and Wonder Woman; the sort of lossless monster Lionsgate grants each of its animated Marvel Comics films. Dialogue is crisp and intelligible, but is occasionally a tad hollow. LFE output is decent, but fails to shake the room, even when powers surge, jets roar past, and super-punches find their target. Rear speaker activity is adequate, but rarely sell the rocketing heroes, clinking bombs, or blazing beams that streak across the soundfield. No, the studio's Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track (640kbps) is a flat, front-heavy labor of apathy that doesn't enhance the experience as much as it should, or completely immerse the listener in any of the realities our faithful heroes explore. Even dynamics and directionality, while more able-bodied than their standard definition counterparts, are weaker than need be. Chalk it up to the film's limited sound design if it helps you feel better, but both First Flight and Wonder Woman highlight the difference a good lossless track can make, regardless of how simple the animation or production might be. Perhaps Warner will eventually take a cue from larger production houses like Image Entertainment, Magnolia, Naxos, First Look Studios, in-akustik, Screen Media -- you know, the big boys on the Blu-ray circuit -- and give every film a TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio track. One day... when they have the resources to do so. Sigh. Sarcasm just tastes bitter at this point.

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths Blu-ray, News and Updates

• Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths BD Announced - November 24, 2009


• New Justice League Animated Film Revealed - September 15, 2009

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths Blu-ray, Forum Discussions

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