To make up for a few weeks of repeats, this weekend the Cartoon Network gives us a “full-length movie” starring the Justice League. However you want to categorize it, “The Savage Time” is worth watching.
As the Justice League (minus Batman) returns to Earth from an outer space mission, they witness a flash of light above Earth and suddenly the Watchtower and Batman are gone. When they land on Earth, they discover the world they know has changed.
The Allies lost World War 2, Batman’s parents weren’t killed by robbers and Vandal Savage is the sole ruler of Earth (and the Nazi party). In order to repair the time line, the Justice League must travel back in time to foil Savage’s plan for world domination.
“The Savage Time” isn’t really a movie. It’s definitely three half-hour episodes of Justice League combined into one extravaganza, but as episodes go, it’s one of the best.
All seven heroes have engaging plotlines and clearly defined characters. The writers didn’t have to tone down their powers for the sake of drama. Bullets bounce off Superman’s chest with ease and Flash is a hundred times faster than he ever is on the regular TV show. Even Green Lantern manages to look cool.
As with most alternate Earth stories, familiar DC characters make cameo appearances with new looks and new histories. The Blackhawks, Steve Trevor (Wonder Woman’s Pre-Crisis boyfriend) and Sgt. Rock and Easy Company all play key roles.
What’s most enjoyable about the movie is that it could easily have been a blockbuster live-action movie. It would be the second movie in a Justice League franchise. The explosions and fight scenes are bigger and better. Wonder Woman gets a love interest. One of the Justice League members is rendered powerless in the past.
If it were a live action film with Jude Law as Superman and Michael Keaton as Batman, the drooling Fanboys would have eaten it up. Cast Owen Wilson as The Flash and Eddie Murphy as Green Lantern and it could be the comedy hit of the year. Animation gives storytellers the opportunity to showcase what’s possible without the big budget, but also gives us a glimpse of what we really want to see on the big screen.
Though tremendously entertaining, “The Savage Time” has its faults. First off, there is not nearly enough Batman. The Batman from the altered present could have traveled back in time with the rest of the Justice League to fight Savage. If he died trying to erase his timeline, all the better. It makes the happy ending all that more happy.
Vandal Savage isn’t given a backstory, and the writers only vaguely allude to his immortality. If anything, this should set up a return appearance for Savage in future Justice League episodes.
Also notable is that the members of the Justice League all kill enemy soldiers. Sure, the sniper John shoots could have just been grazed and the pilots of the planes that Superman destroys could have ejected safely, but those telltale kid friendly signals are nowhere to be seen.
War is hell and the Justice League has taken off the kid gloves.
The standards in voice acing remain high for The Savage Time. In addition to the regular cast, Phil Morris does a great job giving voice to Vandal Savage. Patrick Duffy plays Steve Trevor with enough suave cockiness that you can see (or, er, hear) why Wonder Woman falls for him. Other guest voice talent includes Dave Thomas as Ernst, Star Trek Voyager alum Robert Picardo as Blackhawk and Fred Dryer of Hunter fame giving voice to Sgt. Rock. Even the voice casting begs for a big screen version. Fred Dryer as Sgt. Rock would rock.
