Justice League: Dark

Justice League: Dark is an exquisitely crafted animation adaptation of the DC comics characters. It stands as the 27th film in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series and was released on digital platforms on January 24th, 2017, and on DVD and Blu-Ray almost two weeks later.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, the film has a running time of approximately 75 minutes. It uniquely combines the genres of superhero, action, and horror while staying true to a classic comic book storyline. The movie is directed by accomplished director, Jay Oliva, known for his work on a variety of other DC Universe animated films, and written by Ernie Altbacker, with well-known creative consultant, Alan Burnett.

In Justice League: Dark, the world is riddled with dark, uncanny happenings that go beyond the expertise of the traditional Justice League members. These mystical anomalies, not coincidentally, revolve around the theme of justice, but the metaphysical kind, dealing with magic and the supernatural. Up against bewildering entities and inexplicable series of violent occurrences, the conventional heroes stand mystified.

Realising their incapability to combat this new, supernatural enemy, Batman grudgingly turns to John Constantine, a notorious, rogue, street magician who, besides his chequered past and cynical attitude, possesses in-depth knowledge of the supernatural world. The uncanny incidents across the globe call for an extraordinary team, known as ‘Justice League Dark,’ that digs deeper into the arcane, dark world.

Besides Batman and Constantine, the team comprises a combination of enigmatic and underappreciated DC characters such as Zatanna, a magician extraordinaire with the ability to create magic through spoken spells; Deadman, a ghostly acrobat with the power to possess and control others; Etrigan the Demon, a medieval knight who shares his body with a rhyming demon, and Swamp Thing, a monolithic humanoid mass of plant life who possesses supernatural strength and mystical abilities.

The richly layered storyline moves swiftly, draped in an atmosphere of mystery and dark charm. The protagonists of Justice League Dark use their combined powers not merely for brawl-and-beat combat, but to unravel a twisty plot involving a mysterious enemy who has instigated a supernatural assault on earth, casting dark magic and illusions on its victims.

In its darkly gripping narrative, the film explores themes of morality, mystique, and redemption. Throughout the course of the movie, each character wrestles with their internal demons and unconventional pasts, proving that they are every bit as complex and flawed as the humans they protect. The juxtaposition of the conventional Justice League with the mystical Justice League Dark redefines heroism, showing that heroes can come in all forms and sizes, and they are not devoid of human characteristics and fallibilities.

While the film delivers plenty of action-packed fight scenes, it does not shy away from philosophical questions of morality, reminding audiences of the grey areas that exist within our understanding of good and evil. The dialogue in the film is also cleverly written, balancing humor and wit with a sombre, brooding tone that properly conveys the gravity of the film's supernatural predicaments.

In terms of direction, Oliva succeeds in maintaining a tense and eerie aura that fits perfectly with the theme. The voice cast does an exceptional job of bringing life to these characters. The audience is especially won over by Matt Ryan, who, after portraying Constantine on the small screen, once again gives a spellbinding performance as the sarcastic and cunning magician.

The film’s artwork and animation are nothing short of astounding. Characters and landscapes come to life with vivid, detailed renderings and animation that is fluid and dynamic. The fight scenes pulse with intensity due to the intricate and gripping animation. As in many Warner Bros animated titles, the movie is replete with heavy strokes, deep shades, subtle textures, and detailed backgrounds that illustrate a breathtaking and haunted world.

For fans of DC, or for anyone who enjoys narratives that venture into the mystical and the supernatural, Justice League: Dark is an often-overlooked gem worth watching. Balancing character development with action, mystery, and philosophical discussions about morality, this film takes viewers on a wild supernatural ride they won't soon forget. Viewers are encouraged to approach the film with an open mind, and they may very well find themselves enchanted by this darker, more mysterious side of the DC Universe.