Clash
Episode #20 - Clash
Original Airdate - June 11th, 2005
The world's mightiest mortal, Captain Marvel, joins the Justice League
but even his power may not be enough to foil Lex Luthor’s latest plot.
Reviews by Bird Boy and Simple Simon
Media by Bird Boy and James Harvey |
Credits:
Story by Dwayne McDuffie
Teleplay by J.M. Dematteis
Directed by Dan Riba
Music by Kristopher Carter
Animation by Dong Woo Animation
Voices:
George Newbern as Superman
Kevin Conroy as Batman
Carl Lumbly as J'onn J'onzz
Jerry O'Connell as Captain Marvel
Shane Haboucha as Billy Batson
Clancy Brown as Lex Luthor
Dana Delaney as Lois Lane
Robert Foxworth as Hamilton
John C. McGinley as The Atom
Lisa Edelstein as Marcy
Jeremy Piven as Elongated Man
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Review (Bird Boy): Fans have been clamoring for a Captain Marvel appearance since Justice
League started and this is our first full look at him, not only in design,
but in action. He really is the “big red cheese” as fans call him, spouting
one-liners that make him even more of a boy scout than Superman (a fact
which Batman points out). It’s a really strong episode, both in animation
and acting and it all culminates by the revelation of a (once again) evil
Lex Luthor and Captain Marvel’s speech to the Justice League at the end.
The big fight between Captain Marvel and Superman in this is amazing. The
sheer amount of collateral damage that occurs to Luthor’s new ‘Lexor City’
is jaw-dropping. Windows shatter and buildings collapse a lot in here; I was
surprised by the amount they got away with, but then again this is
Justice League Unlimited—they seem to push limits constantly in this
show.
This was also the first episode of Justice League Unlimited that I’ve
watched with the volume turned up. While I don’t have the luxury of a
surround sound system yet, I did play it on two very large stereo
speakers—and the thuds and booms that came from the speakers during the big
clash between Captain Marvel and Superman was, simply put, awesome. So in
addition to an episode that looked good, it also sounded amazing.
One of the highlights of the episode was the speech Captain Marvel gave the
Justice League at the end of the episode. It really brought the last season
of Justice League Unlimited around, as he focused on how much the League has
changed as heroes. No longer happy to just do the good fight, they seem
jaded—and to those complaining about how much of a stubborn turd Superman
was, they likely agreed with Captain Marvel.
In addition, there was more on the Luthor and Wahler front: the two were
revealed to be in “cahoots”, with Luthor wanting nothing more than to
humiliate Superman, it seems. Great stuff between the two at the end.
Overall a great episode that shouldn’t be missed; also, if at all
possible—play it loud.
Review (Simple Simon): This may sound
rather obvious, but it really pays to watch an episode all the way through
before passing judgment on it. When I caught “Clash” initially during its
Canadian premiere, I came in at the halfway point of the episode (when
Superman and Batman are investigating Hamilton’s break-in). I watched till
the end, and apart from the fantastic fight between Superman and Captain
Marvel, things felt pretty mundane. Well-executed, but nothing overly
surprising or shocking.
Then I caught the first half on its repeat airing at midnight, and that
changed everything.
You’d think the latter half of the episode would be where the good stuff is.
Not in this case. I still think the actual plot of “Clash” is pretty
standard: Two superheroes don’t see eye-to-eye and a big fight ensues, all
part of Lex Luthor’s plan to discredit Superman. But it’s the character
moments in the first half that really bring out the story, as Captain
Marvel’s refreshing boyish innocence is contrasted against Superman’s jaded
experience. Marvel, more than any other Leaguer, is the perfect
audience-identification character: he reacts like we’d react to being in a
space station filled with superheroes, high-fiving Captain Atom and watching
Shining Knight and Vigilante share a flirty game of chess (Com’on, new
armor? Dressing to impress eh). Jerry O’Connell really sells the genuine
goodness of his character, and his moments in the first half enhance the
points made in his speech at the end, as well as add emotional weight to the
episode’s fight scene.
And what a fight scene. Dan Riba has taken some criticism for his staging of
action sequences after Joaquim Dos Santos really raised the bar in “Cat and
the Canary,” but here he presents the brutal pummeling between two DC
juggernauts exactly the way you’d want it to look. Dynamic camera angles and
painful punches abound. I especially liked one bit where buildings are
coming down as Superman beats up Marvel in mid-air; it’s a subtle touch, but
usually the carnage dissipates after the initial blow, whereas it lingers
here for a bit longer. Of course such a fight is only possible because the
script dictates it so; in any logical world, the Watchtower would’ve sent
down help via teleporter to prevent needless property damage between two
good guys. Still, the spectacle and fun of the fight outweigh the plot
holes.
There’s a lot of voice cameos to love in this one, as John C. McGinley, Lisa
Edelstein, and Dana Delany all return to reprise their roles for a few brief
lines. Also notable is Jeremy Piven in his third supporting appearance as
Elongated Man. Honestly, the guy’s shown up thrice already and never as a
main star. I hope the creative staff rewards him with a meatier role next
season.
“Clash” is another outstanding episode in JLU’s season 2 lineup.
Highly recommended. |
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