DC LEAGUE OF SUPERPETS

US, 2022, 105 minutes, Colour.

Voices of: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Kate MacKinnon, John Krasinski, Vanessa Bayer, Natasha Lyonne, Diego Luna, Marc Marron, Keanu Reeves, Thomas Middleditch, Ben Schwartz, Olivia Wilde, Maya Erskine, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jemaine Clement, John Early, Alfred Molina, Lena Headey, Dan Fogler, Busy Phillips, Keith David.

Directed by Jared Stern.

An animation comedy adventure which will probably entertain audiences of most ages.

All DC Comics fans, and audiences for comics, television shows, movies of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Cyborg, will have relished the adventures of the Justice League.

However, there is a revelation of a well-kept secret in the opening sequences here. We go back to the eruption of the planet, Krypton. Jor-El and his wife have plans to send their young son in a star vehicle through space and time to earth. That we knew, of course, but, the baby boy has a pet dog, Krypto, who leaps at the last minute into the starship, accompanying the baby to earth, then a glimpse of the adult Superman and his now grown-up pet and friend.

And, as if that is not shock enough, it is then revealed that a lot of the feats achieved by Superman are really achieved by Krypto. What is happening to our DC world? Well, the first problem is that Clark Kent/Superman is in love with Lois Lane and Krypto is more than jealous, sulking, wanting to disrupt the romance.

But, there is a lot more to the film – bright colour, plenty of action and special effects, reminders of John Williams themes, the use of well-known songs like A Summer Place and What the World Needs Now… And some witty quips starting with Krypto and fans and offering them spots on their faces, a Pawtograph.

Well, the Justice League does turn up, familiar in their style, though a very morose and introverted Batman. But, they seem to be of little use because Lex Luthor has commandeered alternate kryptonite and is on the verge of taking over the world. However, his guinea pig protégé, Lulu, has power ambitions of her own. But, at the moment, she is trapped in a cage in a vet precinct, along with a number of discarded pets whose spokesperson is Ace, sometimes down in the dumps, wanting to escape (and his sad back story later revealed). Ace encounters Krypto, a certain rivalry, a certain friendship, and, eventually, a variation on the Justice League, the League of Superpets who confront Lulu and Lex Luthor. And have to rescue the imprisoned Justice League.

Youngsters of all ages will enjoy the shenanigans. Youngsters who have not yet seen the movies of the DC world will obviously be wanting to watch them. Adults who have grown up with the DC movies will enjoy these animated variations of the heroes and heroines. And, parents and grandparents who have gone with the younger generation will probably find much to enjoy.

And, a marvellous voice cast, Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart teaming up once again as the two dogs, Kate MacKinnon as the diminutive villain, Lulu, Keanu Reeves as Batman, Olivia Wilde as Lois Lane and John Krasinski as Superman.

1. An entertainment for fans of the DC world? By animation? Via a focus on the pets of the superheroes, especially Clark Kent/Superman? Tongue in cheek imagination, writing, characterisation, spoof and satire?
2. The style of the animation, bright, colourful, spoof exaggerations? Action, special effects? The musical school, the allusions to John Williams’ score? Popular songs?
3. The voice talent, the wide range of popular stars, character actors?
4. The revelation about Krypton, Jor-el, his wife, the young baby, fond of the dog, the planet erupting, the vehicle to earth, installing the baby, Krypto getting into the vehicle, Superman’s best friend?
5. The shift to the present, Superman’s home, his fondness for Krypto? Seeing him in action throughout the city, saving the day – but relying so often on Krypto to save the day? Lois Lane, the Daily Planet, work as a journalist, Superman in love with her? Her strong character? Krypto and his jealousy?
6. Lex Luthor as villain, his plans, to control the world, the special kryptonite, his associates in the laboratory, especially Lulu? Putting his plans into action, the confrontation with Superman?
7. Krypto, jealous, wandering the city, the pawtograph, the encounter with Ace? Ace, his background, in the vets home for pets, the other characters and their voices, Turtle, Pig, bird…? Lulu and her arrogance? Acce and his attempt to escape?
8. Lex Luthor, the challenge from Lulu, her abilities with the kryptonite? Capturing Superman? The arrival of the other men members of the Justice League, their characteristics, comments, morose Batman? No pets? Their all being imprisoned?
9. Ace, the good advice to Krypto, personality advice, encouragement? Krypto becoming the hero? Advice about Lois Lane?
10. The pets, their collaboration, their being allotted to each member of the Justice League? The stunts, affecting the escape?
11. The confrontations with Lex Luthor and his being defeated? The confrontations with Lulu, her being vanquished?
12. The restoration of law and order, Krypto remembering his origins (and the comic parallel of his father on crypt on like Jor-El, Dog-El)?
13. All the pets discovering their inner selves, their powers, having the chance to exercise them?
14. And order restored?