With
its 16:9 enhanced widescreen presentation, STARCROSSED THE MOVIE is
JUSTICE LEAGUE done right. Since its debut, JUSTICE LEAGUE
has aired at various times on Cartoon Network in full screen and
widescreen versions, with widescreen being preferred by the series
creators. Now even though the series is intended for widescreen
consumption, previous JUSTICE LEAGUE DVD releases have only offered
full screen versions of the episodes. Hopefully, the DVD release of JUSTICE
LEAGUE: STARCROSSED THE MOVIE ($20) will be a foretaste of things to
come, and we will see season sets of JUSTICE LEAGUE in 16:9
enhanced widescreen.
JUSTICE
LEAGUE: STARCROSSED THE MOVIE combines a three episode story arc
edited into a single entity, which delivers some of the series best and
most dramatic moments. The plot centers on the arrival of a space fleet
from Hawkgirl’s Thanagarian home world that has come to Earth offering
to bolster our planet’s defensive capabilities against an impending
invasion force. However, the invasion threat turns out to be a ruse and
the Thanagarians’ intentions for Earth turn out to be far from benign.
As you might expect, this leaves the members of the Justice League facing
overwhelming odds as they try to take back the planet from the
Thanagarians. JUSTICE LEAGUE: STARCROSSED THE MOVIE features the
vocal talent of Kevin Conroy as Batman, Maria Canals as Hawkgirl, Susan
Eisenberg as Wonder Woman, Phil LaMarr as Green Lantern, Carl Lumbly as
Martian Manhunter, George Newbern as Superman and Michael Rosenbaum as The
Flash.
Warner
Home Video has made JUSTICE LEAGUE: STARCROSSED THE MOVIE available
on DVD in a 1.78:1 wide screen presentation that has been enhanced for
playback on 16:9 displays, plus a full screen version is also provided.
Both versions look good, but 16:9 enhanced version is decidedly
preferable, as it provides more dramatic framing and looks better on a
large widescreen display. The image appears as crisp as this type of 2D
animation can look. Colors are strongly saturated and rendered with
complete stability. Blacks are on the money, while the whites appear pure.
There are no visual imperfections in the image and digital compression
artifacts are always nicely contained.
JUSTICE
LEAGUE: STARCROSSED THE MOVIE comes with a fine sounding Dolby Digital
2.0 stereo surround soundtrack. Obviously mixed for the broadcast medium,
the forward soundstage dominates, with the rear channels offing occasional
effects, ambient sounds and musical fill. There is good channel separation
across the front, plus the music produces a strong sense of presence.
Fidelity is just fine, although the bottom end could have been a bit
punchier. No other language tracks are provided, but English, French and
Spanish subtitles have been included.
Music
underscores the basic interactive menus, which allow one access to the
standard scene selection and set up features, as well as a few extras. Hawkman:
From Comics to Cartoon runs seven minutes and discussed the
character’s development over the decades and why he doesn’t appear in
this adventure. Four deleted scenes are provided, and while they are
primarily extensions of existing sequences, they are interesting
nonetheless. Tour Of The Watchtower offers a four-minute
look at the Justice League’s orbital base of operations. Justice
League Watchtower Bios provides a who’s who of the heroes
featured in the show. Closing things out are trailers for JUSTICE
LEAGUE: STARCROSSED THE MOVIE, BATMAN: THE MYSTERY OF BATWOMAN,
SUPERMAN: THE LAST SON OF KRYPTON, SAMURAI JACK: SEASON ONE,
and ALOHA SCOOBY-DOO!.
With
JUSTICE LEAGUE: STARCROSSED THE MOVIE, Warner really does right by
the series fans and its creators. The 16:9 enhanced widescreen
presentation gives the program just the right look, as the widescreen
framing makes it seem all the more dramatic. Of course, it doesn’t hurt
that JUSTICE LEAGUE: STARCROSSED THE MOVIE is a top-flight
adventure from the television series. If you are a superhero fan, you’ll
definitely want to check out this DVD.
With
its 16:9 enhanced widescreen presentation, STARCROSSED THE MOVIE is
JUSTICE LEAGUE done right. Since its debut, JUSTICE LEAGUE
has aired at various times on Cartoon Network in full screen and
widescreen versions, with widescreen being preferred by the series
creators. Now even though the series is intended for widescreen
consumption, previous JUSTICE LEAGUE DVD releases have only offered
full screen versions of the episodes. Hopefully, the DVD release of JUSTICE
LEAGUE: STARCROSSED THE MOVIE ($20) will be a foretaste of things to
come, and we will see season sets of JUSTICE LEAGUE in 16:9
enhanced widescreen.
JUSTICE
LEAGUE: STARCROSSED THE MOVIE combines a three episode story arc
edited into a single entity, which delivers some of the series best and
most dramatic moments. The plot centers on the arrival of a space fleet
from Hawkgirl’s Thanagarian home world that has come to Earth offering
to bolster our planet’s defensive capabilities against an impending
invasion force. However, the invasion threat turns out to be a ruse and
the Thanagarians’ intentions for Earth turn out to be far from benign.
As you might expect, this leaves the members of the Justice League facing
overwhelming odds as they try to take back the planet from the
Thanagarians. JUSTICE LEAGUE: STARCROSSED THE MOVIE features the
vocal talent of Kevin Conroy as Batman, Maria Canals as Hawkgirl, Susan
Eisenberg as Wonder Woman, Phil LaMarr as Green Lantern, Carl Lumbly as
Martian Manhunter, George Newbern as Superman and Michael Rosenbaum as The
Flash.
Warner
Home Video has made JUSTICE LEAGUE: STARCROSSED THE MOVIE available
on DVD in a 1.78:1 wide screen presentation that has been enhanced for
playback on 16:9 displays, plus a full screen version is also provided.
Both versions look good, but 16:9 enhanced version is decidedly
preferable, as it provides more dramatic framing and looks better on a
large widescreen display. The image appears as crisp as this type of 2D
animation can look. Colors are strongly saturated and rendered with
complete stability. Blacks are on the money, while the whites appear pure.
There are no visual imperfections in the image and digital compression
artifacts are always nicely contained.
JUSTICE
LEAGUE: STARCROSSED THE MOVIE comes with a fine sounding Dolby Digital
2.0 stereo surround soundtrack. Obviously mixed for the broadcast medium,
the forward soundstage dominates, with the rear channels offing occasional
effects, ambient sounds and musical fill. There is good channel separation
across the front, plus the music produces a strong sense of presence.
Fidelity is just fine, although the bottom end could have been a bit
punchier. No other language tracks are provided, but English, French and
Spanish subtitles have been included.
Music
underscores the basic interactive menus, which allow one access to the
standard scene selection and set up features, as well as a few extras. Hawkman:
From Comics to Cartoon runs seven minutes and discussed the
character’s development over the decades and why he doesn’t appear in
this adventure. Four deleted scenes are provided, and while they are
primarily extensions of existing sequences, they are interesting
nonetheless. Tour Of The Watchtower offers a four-minute
look at the Justice League’s orbital base of operations. Justice
League Watchtower Bios provides a who’s who of the heroes
featured in the show. Closing things out are trailers for JUSTICE
LEAGUE: STARCROSSED THE MOVIE, BATMAN: THE MYSTERY OF BATWOMAN,
SUPERMAN: THE LAST SON OF KRYPTON, SAMURAI JACK: SEASON ONE,
and ALOHA SCOOBY-DOO!.
With
JUSTICE LEAGUE: STARCROSSED THE MOVIE, Warner really does right by
the series fans and its creators. The 16:9 enhanced widescreen
presentation gives the program just the right look, as the widescreen
framing makes it seem all the more dramatic. Of course, it doesn’t hurt
that JUSTICE LEAGUE: STARCROSSED THE MOVIE is a top-flight
adventure from the television series. If you are a superhero fan, you’ll
definitely want to check out this DVD.
