Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One Review: The Flash Races to Save Reality Itself

Comic fans, make some popcorn and clear your schedule, because an iconic story that rocked the DC Universe is coming to animated life. The 1985-1986 maxi-series Crisis on Infinite Earths revolutionized DC continuity by merging its many parallel earths into one streamlined timeline. This 12-issue run, plotted by Marv Wolfman and drawn by the legendary George Pérez, saw heroes and villains across realities band together to stop a wave of antimatter from annihilating all of existence. It was universe-reshaping, status quo-shattering storytelling on an unprecedented scale.

Now, this legendary comic book event is being adapted into a three-part animated film saga, with Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One setting the stage. This isn’t a direct translation of the iconic source material, but rather a loose reimagining that acts as a grand finale for Warner Bros. Animation’s DC Animated Movie Universe, known as the “Tomorrowverse.” While staying true to the epic spirit of its namesake, Part One crafts an accessible entry point by focusing on The Flash’s perspective.

We follow Barry Allen on his journey to becoming a hero, finding love, and forming the Justice League. But just as he’s hitting his stride, a mysterious destructive force begins obliterating parallel earths across the multiverse. To save all of reality, Barry and an assemblage of heroes, villains, and allies must take a crisis to infinite proportions and beyond. Get ready for a blockbuster comics adaptation of, well, infinite possibilities.

A Hero Races to Save Reality

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths may boast an ensemble cast of epic proportions, but make no mistake – this is The Flash’s story. Part One chronicles Barry Allen’s origin as the Scarlet Speedster, the formation of the Justice League, and the love of Barry’s life, Iris West. We first meet Barry as a wide-eyed forensic scientist geeking out over a Star Labs particle accelerator. But an errant lightning bolt transforms him into a metahuman who can break the sound barrier on foot.

After testing his new powers with gleeful abandon, Barry starts using his gift to protect Central City as The Flash. His heroic exploits catch the eye of Batman, who recruits The Flash to be part of a new superteam: The Justice League. We get to see the early days of the League coming together, with Flash bringing his wit and heart to the table. His bond with Iris also deepens, as they share both romance and danger in Barry’s double life.

Just as Barry finds his groove balancing love, heroics, and League membership, crisis strikes. An expanding wall of antimatter is hopping dimensional boundaries and obliterating parallel earths. As realities wink out of existence, The Flash is summoned by the cosmic being The Monitor to join the fight against annihilation. But saving the multiverse will require more than just speed – it will take leadership.

When Barry gathers the Justice League, we’re treated to the animators flexing their skills with titanic battles. A standout sequence involves the League clashing with cybernetic villain Amazo in a city-smashing brawl. The kinetic fights are balanced by quieter dramatic moments, like Barry and Iris sharing their musical wedding dance one last time before tragedy strikes. We feel the enormity of what’s at stake when even evil counterparts perish, such as when antimatter debris fatally wounds a parallel universe’s Flash.

As each earth succumbs, the creeping dread and existential stakes climb ever higher. By the time the Justice League from our main reality and their multiverse allies gather for a last stand, we’ve witnessed so much loss already – making their desperate plan to turn the tide feel like the only sliver of hope against infinite darkness.

A Visual Spectacle Across the Multiverse

The animation team behind Crisis on Infinite Earths flexes their skills on a cosmic canvas, delivering eye-popping spectacle while preserving visual continuity with past Tomorrowverse films. The foundation is the sleek 3D models and kinetic energy that have defined Justice League’s anime-inspired look. But Part One adds new flourishes fitting the multiverse-spanning story.

Most characters exhibit subtle tweaks to their established designs, with The Flash receiving a stylish new armored suit. The visual continuity provides comforting familiarity, while the variations hint at the scope of the adventure. The animators go to town differentiating parallel earths and their alternate doppelgangers. A sinister Justice League glows with unearthly pallor, while Kamandi’s post-apocalyptic realm evokes Frank Miller. The antimatter wave even gets a foreboding design overhaul from its look in the comics.

Of course, the money is earned in the blowout action scenes. The animators cook up steroidal superhero spectacle, with combats scattering skyscrapers like dominoes. Standouts include the Justice League battling an entire armada of Amazos, with carefully orchestrated fight choreography, and the chilling sight of The Flash desperately outrunning the slow but implacable antimatter tide.

Most impressive is how the animators balance these bombastic sequences with subtle emotional moments. A mournful ballet between Iris and Barry pulled from time’s flow is as expertly crafted as any planet-cracking punch. The nuance required to distinguish multiple character variants is also admirable. Little flourishes like secret hand signs and body language tweaks make discerning alternate Supermen intuitive.

Ultimately, Crisis on Infinite Earths triumphs by blending the iconic spectacle comics fans crave with the human touch that turns capes and cowls into flesh-and-blood people worth caring about. The animators juggle an array of creative demands with aplomb.

Standout Voice Work Anchors an Ensemble for the Ages

The sprawling cast of Crisis on Infinite Earths requires top-tier voice talent to connect the audience with both beloved icons and new alternate reality variants. Luckily, the vocal performances rise to the heroic occasion. Matt Bomer leads with heart as Barry Allen, anchoring Part One as the emotional core. Meanwhile, veteran actors like Jensen Ackles as Batman provide stalwart support. Newcomers also energize the ensemble, particularly Zack Callison as a youthful, exuberant Robin.

Matt Bomer brings endearing wit and charisma to The Flash, excelling in both high-flying heroics and vulnerable romantic moments. His chemistry with Ashleigh LaThrop as love interest Iris West ignites the screen. Together they create a partnership as inspiring as Superman and Lois, especially during a musical callback to their wedding. Bomer sells Barry’s gradual embrace of leadership amidst multiverse chaos with nuance and gravitas.

Jensen Ackles’ gruff but wry take on Batman has been consistently excellent in past Tomorrowverse films, and his rapport with Bomer highlights the World’s Finest duo in action. Other Justice League voices like Jerry O’Connell’s Superman and Rosario Dawson’s Wonder Woman balance the epic proceedings with warmth and humanity.

The ensemble goes into overload with new additions like Callison’s exuberant, wisecracking Robin and Zachary Quinto’s chilling E-2 Lex Luthor. Smaller cameos also delight, including Tara Strong’s return as Harley Quinn. The script navigates a packed roster by spotlighting personal moments, such as Lex Luthor finding redemption on a doomed earth. The result is a vibrant cast that exceeds the sum of its parts.

Some multiverse doubles feel underutilized, making their inevitable deaths less impactful. But overall, the voice work succeeds at the most crucial task – forging heartfelt connections. When The Flash witnesses an ally perish or loses his entire earth, Bomer’s anguish becomes our own. That emotional resonance makes the scope personal and the stakes painfully real. These aren’t just costumes – there are people inside them worth fighting an entire Crisis to save.

An Adaptation True to the Spirit, Not the Letter

Remaining utterly faithful to the original Crisis on Infinite Earths comics would be a formula for failure – or at least confusion – in the animation medium. Instead, writer Jim Krieg honors the spirit of the iconic story while making smart deviations for the screen. The focus on The Flash provides a grounded perspective on the multiverse-spanning narrative. An expanded Justice League role allows for greater superhero spectacle. And the ending sets up the next chapters rather than directly mirroring the comic’s original structure.

The result is a loose adaptation that retains the epic stakes, imaginative scale, and tonal spirit of the comics. But it also joyfully remixes and expands elements to play to the strengths of serialized animation. Fans shouldn’t expect a direct translation that follows every story beat. But they can expect to feel the same sense of awe and melodrama that defined the original series.

Some changes were clearly made for production expediency, like introducing characters earlier than in the comic or accelerating plot points. But they feel true to the ongoing Tomorrowverse storylines. Other tweaks like the rivalry between Lex Luthor and Amazo offer surprises for longtime readers. Even major deviations like the Justice League forming before the Crisis feel organic, increasing audience investment.

Ultimately, the most important aspect the adaptation captures is the original’s sense of escalating stakes across infinite realities. The dreadful feeling that life itself is at risk becomes palpable as earths are snuffed out. And the storytelling seeds intrigue for the next chapters rather than serving as a stand-alone film. The Crisis has just begun, but this adaptation starts things off with imagination and heart intact.

Auditory Atmosphere for An Event of Cosmic Proportions

The soundscape of Crisis on Infinite Earths matches its reality-rending stakes with bombastic audio design. The score by Frederick Wiedmann grounds the off-kilter multidimensional story with driving orchestral music straight from a blockbuster superhero film. Rousing themes build anticipation during super-powered showdowns, while mournful violins underscore the dramatic cost of failure.

Crisis also turns up the volume with window-rattling sound effects. The antimatter wave is a cacophony of distorted screams and bass blasts that shake the senses. Explosions have a crunchy pop while punches land with thundering thwacks. Even small touches like The Flash’s lightning crackling with electricity make their mark.

But the audio experience also shines when dialing things down. The voice acting in vulnerable moments has room to breathe and resonate. Silences peppered between frantic action heighten tension. The missed beats in a shared dance between lovers land with heartbreaking potency. Like the best symphonies, Crisis knows when to be loud and when a gentle solo will pluck the strings of emotion most effectively.

An Imaginative Blockbuster Worthy of Its Legendary Source

In an era where comic book movies often play it safe, Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One proves there are still new dimensions to explore. It takes an iconic DC storyline and filtering it through a creative lens results in something thrilling and fresh. The animation dazzles while preserving a human core, the adaptation honors the spirit of its legendary namesake, and the conclusion left me eagerly awaiting the next chapters.

Part One succeeds as both an epic in its own right and a primer teasing an even grander crossover spectacle. The focus on The Flash provides a gateway for non-comics fans while showcasing a different corner of the DC universe not reliant on Batman or Superman. Seeing Barry Allen rise up to shake worlds is a narrative jolt the movies could use.

With stunning animation, bombastic action and a bold art style, this is arguably the best-looking DC animated film yet. But it also takes time to get the emotional fundamentals right. The Flash’s romance and friendships humanize the proceedings, while small moments with alternate selves make the scope personal. Yes, it would have benefited from slightly tighter pacing and more development for some characters. But the flaws fade in the glorious sensation of an entire multiverse living up to its infinite potential.

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths makes it clear why this story has endured across generations. It captures the earnest melodrama that draws us to heroes facing impossible odds with courage and sacrifice. This adaptation understands those core strengths while charting its own course. If you love adventures on the cosmic scale only comics can deliver, don’t hesitate to spend some time in the multiverse. Because if Part One is any indication, Crisis has just begun.

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