If Marvel Comics has dominated live-action superhero movies, their DC rivals are generally recognized as leaders in animated superhero fare, both TV series and direct-to-video features. This, however, is one of their lesser efforts. The premise is that the present-day Flash—Barry Allen (voiced by Matt Bomer)—is catapulted into the past, specifically World War II when he puts on a burst of super-speed to catch a kryptonite bullet aimed at Superman (Darren Criss). But he finds himself not just at a different time but on an alternate earth, where President Roosevelt has added a group of superheroes to America’s fighting force against the Nazis.
This Justice Society is led by Wonder Woman (Stana Katic) and includes Hawkman (Omid Abtahi), Black Canary (Elysia Rotaru), Hourman (Matthew Mercer), and the Golden Age Flash, Jay Garrick (Armen Taylor). Two other characters are human affiliates: Colonel Steve Trevor (Chris Diamantopoulos), with whom Wonder Woman is contemplating a romantic relationship, and a reporter code-named Shakespeare.
At first, Allen is looked upon with suspicion, but he proves his mettle and is soon incorporated into the group as Future Boy since the Flash name is already taken. The group’s focus is on foiling Hitler’s efforts to collect a bunch of magical artifacts that will give the Nazis an advantage in the war. To succeed, they travel to Atlantis, where they hope to enlist the Sea King, Aquaman (Liam McIntyre), in their crusade against evil, though their embassy takes an unexpected turn.
A courageous last-ditch stand against a massive German invasion brings some casualties as well as the inevitable victory, but the real culmination comes with lessons learned. Allen helps one character embrace his destiny, and in turn is taught by another to follow his heart back home while thinking that superhero collaboration might work well there, too.
Justice Society: World War II balances action and humor reasonably well, and by and large the voice work is good. The plotline, however, is a somewhat messy mash-up of different times and places, and the stiff animation style will not be to all tastes. Still, fans will probably be willing to overlook the flaws for the chance to reunite with some very old friends.
The combo pack includes both 4K Ultra HD and regular Blu-ray discs, along with a digital code. There are substantial extras: “Adventures in Storytelling,” a featurette in which the filmmakers discuss the creative process (30 min.); an origin-story short Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth (18 min.); a preview of the upcoming Batman: Long Halloween Part I (10 min.); a preview of Justice League vs. Teen Titans (11 min.); a preview of Wonder Woman: Bloodlines (10 min.); and the two-part 2002 episode “Legends” from the 2001-2004 television series Justice League (44 min. total). A strong optional purchase, especially for collections in animation, children’s films, and superhero movies.