Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Two. The film will be released on digital, 4K UHD, and Blu-ray Tuesday, April 23.
If there’s one DC Comics storyline that truly deserves a three-part animated adaptation, it’s Crisis on Infinite Earths. This massive crossover is filled with characters from various worlds and has a complex, epic narrative. A trilogy format allows for better pacing and avoids the rushed feeling often found in DC’s animated movies. Unfortunately, Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Two fails to capture the essence of the source material. It lacks emotional depth and fails to make the audience feel invested in the events unfolding.
The film concludes the Tomorrowverse series, a recent branch of DC Universe Animated Original Movies that focused on younger, inexperienced versions of well-known heroes. This lack of established lore and a diverse hero roster was evident in Crisis Part One and continues to be a hindrance in Part Two.
Despite depicting a group of heroes battling to save existence, the stakes never feel high enough. The action sequences, while abundant, lack excitement and are repetitive. The animation style, while visually appealing, falls short in capturing the thrill of the battles.
Unlike Part One, which centered on Barry Allen’s emotional journey, Part Two lacks a clear protagonist. The film jumps between multiple subplots, never fully exploring any character’s development. This lack of focus diminishes the impact of the storytelling.
Furthermore, Crisis Part Two fails to leverage the vast array of heroes and villains available in the DC universe. With minimal cameos and missed opportunities to connect different storylines, the film lacks the depth seen in other Crisis adaptations.
While including cameos for the sake of it may not always work, Crisis on Infinite Earths thrives on the interconnectedness of its characters. By neglecting this aspect, Part Two misses a chance to enhance the overall narrative and engage viewers on a deeper level.
As the trilogy moves forward, fans can only hope for a more cohesive and engaging conclusion that leverages the rich history and diverse characters of the DC universe.