The DC Animated Movie review series makes its stop in 2019. This was when the DC animated studio really was on the up and up as the quality of movies being released really jumped up. There were a few films that I was not expecting to like but once the movie began and got to the midway point, I fell in love with them. The final pieces are in place for the conclusion of a major continuity. Two films introduced new elements to the universe and it was a move for the better. Check out my review of all the DC animated movies that were released in 2019.

Reign of the Supermen (2019)*****

Starring: Jerry O’Connell, Rebecca Romijn, Rainn Wilson

This felt like a strong ending to this short storyline of the death of Superman. In my review of The Death of Superman (2018), I mentioned that people’s blind belief in Superman was a distraction to me and it becomes the central theme for this movie. Hank Henshaw is revealed as the main villain of the movie and I remember that name being used as a villain in the Super Girl tv show. This movie serves as the birth of Connor Kent (Super Boy) and unfortunately he doesn’t join this universe’s Teen Titans – no more Teen Titans filmed were released within this universe. It was fun to see different people wearing the Superman logo. This movie also acted as a strong precursor for the final film in this continuity. 

Batman: Hush (2019)****

Starring: Jason O’Mara, Jennifer Morrison, Geoffrey Arend 

This movie had such an amazing beginning and middle but fell flat on the final third of the movie. The action was plentiful and colorful but the reveal of Hush was a let down and the film Batman even acknowledges it.  The way that Hush is able to manipulate heroes and villains to do what he wants, by any means, sets him up as a great villain for Batman. Seeing more villains (ex: Scarecrow, Riddler, Clay Face) from the rogues gallery that haven’t been introduced to this universe was also refreshing. The love interest between Bruce Wayne (Batman) and Selena Kyle (Cat Woman) is finally explored. As a viewer, seeing the love between the two does draw you into the film as you enjoy seeing Bruce Wayne happy and it’s fun to see Batman fight with Cat Woman. 

Wonder Woman: Bloodlines (2019)***

Starring: Rosario Dawson, Jeffrey Donovan, Kimberly Brooks

This movie acts as a backstory for Wonder Woman and one of the villains of the movie, Vanessa Kapatelis. This is a spin-off from the main storyline of movies and I would place this both before and after the events of Justice League: War (2014). The storyline felt extremely rushed and before the start of the last third of the movie, I found myself asking “how the heck did I get here?” The first third of the movie felt very exponential heavy which led to very long monologues. Director Sam Liu and the writing staff did a great job building up the tension between Vanessa and Wonder Woman and I felt myself sympathizing more with Vanessa. 

Justice League vs The Fatal Five (2019)*****

Starring: Kevin Conroy, Elyes Gabel, Diane Guerrero 

This was a different but the same kind of movie. The animation is continued from the Justice League and Justice League: Unlimited series. Kevin Conroy (Batman), George Newbern (Superman), Susan Eisenberg (Wonder Woman) reprise their roles. The writers for this movie decide to take a new approach by introducing mental health. Diane Guerrero plays Jessica Cruz and she suffers from crippling anxiety due to a traumatic event. Introducing a superhero that has a mental disorder in the form of Jessica Cruz and Starboy was refreshing. I did pump my fist when they went to Portland, OR for the mission. 

Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)*****

Starring: Troy Baker, John DiMaggio, Darren Criss

I was amazingly skeptical of this movie when it first came out and really thought it was going to be bad. I have never been so wrong. During the final credits, they show comic book covers of issues where Batman has worked with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles before, so this wasn’t a random pairing. The fighting styles between the two worlds worked so well together that it just flowed. Troy Baker does an amazing job of not just being the Joker but also playing the caped crusader. The Turtles are fun and funny in their own unique ways and they added another dimension to the Bat family that consisted of Damien Wayne’s Robin, Batgirl, Alfred and even Batman. There is also enough blood on the screen to give it some seriousness. It is definitely an entertaining movie and fans of both worlds would enjoy this one. 

Teen Titans Go! Vs Teen Titans (2019)*****

Starring: Rhys Darby, Robert Morse, Hynden Walch

Just like in the Teen Titans Go! To The Movies (2018) if you look past the change of rating this show went through from a PG to a G and ultimately creating a more kid friendly show, this was very fun. This storyline could easily be transitioned to a DC animated movie that is along the same main continuity. This movie has to deal with the multiverse and leading into the last third of this movie, I was gushing. As they jumped to different universes in a chase scene, they visited the Teen Titans of the DC animated connected universe and that made me giddy. It was also funny and the two versions of the Teen Titans worked well together. Even though this movie was created for the younger generations, some of the jokes made me laugh.

Next: 2020