Injustice

Injustice is an animated adaptation of the popular video game and comic book storyline that explores an alternate DC Universe where Superman, grief-stricken after the Joker tricks him into killing Lois Lane and destroying Metropolis, establishes a totalitarian regime to enforce peace through absolute control. The film succeeds in capturing the dark, morally complex premise that made the source material compelling, with Justin Hartley delivering a nuanced vocal performance as a Superman who genuinely believes his authoritarian measures are necessary for humanity's survival, and Anson Mount providing a suitably weary counterpoint as Batman leading the resistance. Despite not being very innovative, the animation technique successfully captures the violent tone of the plot through visceral action scenes and a subdued color scheme that sets this timeline apart from more conventional DC animated content. With several character deaths and universe-altering events crammed into its 78-minute duration, the narrative advances at an unrelenting pace, keeping viewers interested even as the death toll mounts.

Nevertheless, the film's greatest flaw is its short running length, which compels the narrative to skip over important character arcs and emotional beats that were developed across several parts in the comics and video games. Characters swing from allies to adversaries and back again with whiplash-inducing quickness, under developing relationships that should have weight, especially the broken friendship between Superman and Batman. Due to the big ensemble cast, many heroes—such as Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and The Flash—get little screen time or characterization outside of their roles in particular story points, and the brutal deaths of a number of well-loved characters come across as more exploitative than significant. Additionally, the film's fidelity to the source material's most shocking moments without the proper buildup results in a narrative that often feels like a highlight reel of atrocities rather than a coherent story examining how absolute power corrupts. While Injustice provides a grimly entertaining alternate take on DC's trinity, its structural compromises and lack of emotional investment prevent it from achieving the tragic grandeur of the original storyline.

Staff:

Directed by: Matt Peters

Written by: Ernie Altbacker

Based on: Injustice: Gods Among Us by NetherRealm Studios and Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year One by Tom Taylor

Produced by: Rick Morales and Jim Krieg

Starring: Justin Hartley and Anson Mount.

Edited by: Craig Paulsen

Music by: Robert J. Kral

Production companies: Warner Bros. Animation, DC Entertainment, RatPac Entertainment, NetherRealm Studios, and Warner Bros. Pictures

Distributed by: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

Release date: October 19, 2021

Running time: 78 minutes