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137 of 142 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The gloves come off in season 2, March 30, 2006
Justice League season 1 was good, but flawed. Characters lacked depth, dialogue was occasionally cliche, plot holes were everywhere, stories felt padded to fill the running time. With season 2, the creative staff went back and did some major tweaking. The end result is not only a much better season all around, but one that almost feels like a brand new series.
Where to begin? Superman is finally back to his super-powered self, and the season opener pits him against his long-time nemesis Darkseid in an epic-yet-personal space opera. Green Lantern begins to get more imaginative with his energy ring, and Wonder Woman is less a powerhouse barbie and more a rounded character. Continuity has a heavy role this season, with plot threads from both season 1 and the prematurely cancelled Superman series finding continuation here.
The stories themselves are an interesting yet strong mix. You have your standard action stories, but also some downright creepy moments (Only a Dream, Wild Card) and others that are just randomly bizzare (Hereafter). A holiday-themed episode lightens the mood just before everything hits the fan with the season finale "Starcrossed," which if you've bought the previous dvd already know what it means for a certain Justice Leaguer. Overall there's definitely some stories fans will prefer more than others, but there's really not a dud in the bunch. It helps that strong character moments really hold everything together and give the stories a more personal edge. That and the tons of unexpected cameos and nods to the source material.
Animation is much improved over season 1, and the distracting CG elements are better implemented. It helps that the season is animated in true widescreen, and if Warner Bros. keeps its promise, that's what we'll be seeing on this set. Beyond all that, this is really a show that appeals to both kids and adults. Cartoon Network had a great hands-off policy, and season 2 pulls no punches. Kids will love the action and costumed characters, adults will do double-takes at the implied deaths, veiled innuendo, and all-around maturity. Bravo.
Below is a list of the 26 episodes for those interested. If you have any interest in superhero-related material, you will not be disappointed with this set. By far the best of American animation.
Twilight (2 parts)
Tabula Rasa (2 parts)
Only a Dream (2 parts)
Maid of Honor (2 parts)
Hearts and Minds (2 parts)
A Better World (2 parts)
The Terror Beyond (2 parts)
Eclipsed (2 parts)
Secret Society (2 parts)
Hereafter (2 parts)
Comfort and Joy
Wild Card (2 parts)
Starcrossed (3 parts)
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76 of 79 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
As good as season 1 was, season 2 is just extraordinary, April 3, 2006
Season 1 of Justice League helped kicked things off. However, it's the 2nd season where things really shine. Season 2 went on and improved the show's animation, added on excellent subplots that carry on such as a growing relationship between Green Lantern and Hawkgirl, and increased eye-candy such as numerous guest appearances from characters from both the Superman and Batman toons, from supporting characters like Lois Lane, Ma and Pa Kent, and Alfred Pennyworth to classic villains like Lex Luthor, Brainiac, The Parasite, The Joker, and Clayface. New villains arrive as well, such as Eclipso, Dr. Destiny, Desparo, and even Doomsday, the monster that became infamous for killing Superman in the comics.
The quality of the stories increased as well. It starts off with Twilight, as the Justice League faces Darkseid and Brainiac(Ron Perlman and Corey Burton reprising their roles from the Superman cartoon).
In the center we have highlights such as Hereafter, in which the Justice League deals with the possibility that Superman is dead. Superman, however, is trapped in an apocolyptic future, with a former enemy now his only friend, ally, and hope of getting home.
A Better World is a 2-parter that helped set up the main storyline of the 4th season. It features the Justice League battling evil, alternate dimension versions of themselves, led by a ruthless dictator version of Superman you will love to hate. However the true highlight of the episode is an intense psychological faceoff between the two Batmen.
Wild Cards features the League facing off against the Joker in Vegas in a hilarious reality TV show homage, as they try to disarm bombs he's planted while also fighting off his henchmen, the Wild Flush Gang, who in a clever touch happen to be voiced by the main cast of Teen Titans. It ends with hands down the best Batman/Joker battle ever, even putting ones seen in the comics to shame.
It all ends with the 3-part smash bang finale, Starcrossed, which end with an alien invasion(only fitting since that's what got them together) and a shattering betrayal between one of the League's members.
Since the debut of Batman: The Animated Series in 1992, the WB's series of superhero shows that have since been known as the DCAU have continued to prove that animation can be intelligent, thought-provoking, and enjoyable for kids AND adults. Justice League season 2(which is released on the same day is Superman vol. 3!) is no different. A definite must buy.
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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A 2nd Serving Of Justice June 20, 2006!, April 24, 2006
High above the Earth in the great Watchtower of the Justice League, there are assembled the world's seven greatest heroes created from the cosmic legends of the universe - Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, the Flash, Green Lantern, the Martian Manhunter, Hawkgirl. Their mission: To fight injustice, to right that which is wrong, and to serve all mankind.
Despite the colossal success of season one, the "Justice League" creators wisely went 'back to formula' on some elements from the show. Most notably Superman's "scaled back to his Superman: TAS- look", and the direction of George Newbern's vocal performances, both to much better results. The show's suspense and drama gets amped up several notches as the producers up the ante in terms of plot and character development, forcing the heroes to deal with issues of deep-rooted feelings of mistrust, insecurities, internal strife, affairs of the heart, and betrayal. These self-examinations of the heroes are just as engaging as watching them do battle in action scenes. Not to mention several surprise guest-appearances from classic characters from DC Comics.
Just three months after the release of the first JL season set, Warner Home Video delivers the highly-anticipated Justice League - Season Two DVD on June 20th! This 4-disc (593 min.) set features all 26 episodes (multi-part arcs) from the second season; "Standard Version" Widescreen (1.78:1) video; English Dolby Surround audio; and English, Spanish, French subtitles. (Note: If you own all of the original JL volumes then you already have the Justice League - Season Two 3-part "Starcrossed" episodes, and should consider the remaining 23 episodes plus the exclusive EXTRAS on this set before deciding.) Here are the contents of this 2nd extraordinary set:
Disc 1:
Twilight Part 1
Twilight Part 2
Tabula Rasa Part 1
Tabula Rasa Part 2
Only A Dream Part 1
Only A Dream Part 2
Disc 2:
Maid of Honor Part 1
Maid of Honor Part 2
Hearts And Minds Part 1
Hearts And Minds Part 2
A Better World Part 1
A Better World Part 2
Disc 3:
The Terror Beyond Part 1
The Terror Beyond Part 2
Eclipsed Part 1
Eclipsed Part 2
Hereafter Part 1
Hereafter Part 2
Disc 4:
The Secret Society Part 1
The Secret Society Part 2
Comfort and Joy
Wild Card Part 1
Wild Card Part 2
Starcrossed Part 1
Starcrossed Part 2
Starcrossed Part 3
Special Features:
Commentary: On "Twilight Part 2", "A Better World Part 2" and "Starcrossed Part 3" with the series creators and directors
Featurette: "Justice League: Declassified": Phil LaMarr (the voice of Green Lantern) takes you behind the scenes with the show's creative team
Easter Egg: "Not too Savage": A Never Seen Before deleted scene with an introduction by producer Bruce Timm
Highly Recommended!
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