Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

  • Review Date: June 13, 2010
  • Rated: PG-13
  • Genre: Action/Adventure
  • Release Year: 2010

Common Sense Media says

Superhero movie mixes cartoon violence, positive messages.
  • Review Date: June 13, 2010
  • Rated: PG-13
  • Genre: Action/Adventure
  • Release Year: 2010

Age(i)

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Quality(i)

 
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What parents need to know

Positive messages

The movie centers on two strong themes. The first is about standing up to bullies. Several characters make good arguments why they shouldn't, but the end result is that not standing up to them gives them more power and allows them to win. The other theme is free will. Villain Owlman believes that since every choice made results in an alternate reality, nothing matters -- but the heroes don't agree with him.

Positive role models

Most of the heroes show positive attributes. Batman initially refuses to join the heroes in their quest to stop the bullies but eventually comes around. He also calls for help when he needs it. Wonder Woman is the most outspoken champion of doing the right thing and stepping up to help. Superman asserts that standing up to bullies isn't an easy choice even for him. Over the course of the film, there are many examples of teamwork.

Violence

Lots of fighting, ranging from old-fashioned punching to arrows, laserblasts, bullets, and assorted other fantasy weapons. There are also threats ("I'm going to kill you," "I'm going to beat you to death," etc.), characters screaming in pain, and some blood. Some minor characters die.

Sex

Lex Luthor appears naked (no sensitive body parts shown). Superwoman kisses two men and flirts heavily with them, with the promise of some rough "playing." J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter, kisses a human woman.

Language

Two uses of "ass," two "crap"s, and one "what the hell?"

Consumerism

Tie-in to vast quantities of related merchandise.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this animated superhero adventure is heavy on fantasy violence, with lots and lots of fighting -- as well as weapons, some blood, and minor characters' deaths. There's also some mild language ("ass," "crap," etc.), flirting, kissing, and innuendo. Although it's edgier than the Justice League TV show, this story about Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, Lex Luthor, and more does have strong messages about teamwork, helping others, and standing up to bullies, as well as a more complex subplot about free will. Older tween and teen superhero fans should get a kick out of it, but it may be a bit much for some younger viewers.

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What's the story?

On an alternate Earth, Lex Luthor (voiced by Chris Noth) is actually a hero, trying to stop an organization of super villains from taking over. As a last resort, he travels to "our" Earth to recruit the Justice League (Superman, Wonder Woman, J'onn J'onzz, Green Lantern, and the Flash) to help. Catching the bad guys is one thing, but convincing the president to take a stand against them is something else. Meanwhile, Batman (William Baldwin) has stayed behind, believing that it's foolish to meddle in the affairs of alternate Earths. But when one of the villains, Superwoman (Gina Torres), breaks into Justice League headquarters, he realizes that he must help after all. Can they all stop Owlman (James Woods) from blowing up not just one Earth, but all possible Earths and everyone who ever lived?

Is it any good?

QUALITY
 

Coming from the makers of Superman Batman: Public Enemies, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern: First Light, JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON TWO EARTHS is an exciting animated movie with excellent pacing and lean, crisp action sequences. It features a bevy of superhero characters, and even within the movie's relatively brief running time, they all seem to come equipped with some genuine personality. The movie also effortlessly juggles some complex ideas and several themes.

With so little time for character development (or even introductions), it helps if viewers already know these heroes and villains. But even so, most characters get at least one moment to shine, especially the Flash (Josh Keaton), who's the comic relief here and has some funny lines. The constant fighting -- with fists, guns, and other fantasy weapons -- may be a bit much for younger viewers, but older tweens and up are sure to be entertained.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about the movie's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting, or did it make you feel anxious?

  • Is it ever OK not to stand up to bullies? Is it OK to use violence on bullies?

  • Sometimes it takes a lot to ask your friends for help. What makes us afraid to ask for help? Would you help your friends if they asked?

Movie details

Theatrical release date:February 23, 2010
DVD release date:February 23, 2010
Cast:Gina Torres, James Woods, Mark Harmon, William Baldwin
Directors:Lauren Montgomery, Sam Liu
Studio:Warner Home Video
Genre:Action/Adventure
Topics:Superheroes
Run time:75 minutes
MPAA rating:PG-13
MPAA explanation:action violence

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This review of Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths was written by

Jeffrey M. Anderson

About our rating system

  • ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
  • OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids of any age.

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Quality

Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Learning ratings

  • Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
  • Very Good: Engaging, good learning approach.
  • Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
  • Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
  • Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
  • Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Kid, 10 years old Written bykielaahss January 4, 2011
AGE
3
QUALITY
 

good for 3+

What other families should know
Too much violence
Great messages
Great role models
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Teen, 14 years old Written byReviewer X1 July 16, 2010
AGE
11
QUALITY
 

"This was a pretty good one."

I just recently saw this one, and as far as DC movies that go straight to DVD, it's pretty good. It of course has to have the swearing so it can seem more...realistic. The violence wasn't mentally scarring or anything, and ultimately, it's a must for any die hard justice league fan. (Such as myself)

What other families should know
Too much swearing
Great role models
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Teen, 13 years old Written byuhya August 7, 2011
AGE
10
QUALITY
 

bad

didn't like it. some violence.

What other families should know
Too much violence
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