Justice League: Season 1 [Blu-ray]

I have no gripes with Warner Bros. releasing this on Blu-ray, but I do have a problem with what they put on this disc (or, I should say, what they DIDN'T put on there). First, the picture itself does look fine and is fairly crisp and clean, but why in the world was it not presented in widescreen, the preference as stated in the very first commentary by the producers??? There's no excuse for that.

Second, there is only the standard Dolby Digital 5.1 which, for those who own the SD version, is an upgrade. The audio does sound pretty good, though it didn't have the impact I expected. There's plenty of dialogue that is clear, making use of the center channel while other speakers are used for the action sequences. Not overly impressive, but a decent effort.

Third, the studio was kind enough to port over all the features but added nothing else. Given the price difference between the two versions ($25 vs. $42), and the fact they didn't bother with a widescreen transfer, they could've added couple new features. How about one on making the Blu-ray release itself? Oh, and speaking of features, adding insult to injury, one of them actually showed a couple scenes from the season in widescreen (non-anamorphic since the feature was in full frame)...

As it stands, this is an OK Blu-ray release but not a must buy IMO. Comparing it with the SD (which I also own), the picture here does seem to be brighter and clean, but is the improvement worth the cost? I'm not so sure. The only (minor) plus side is the 26 episodes are now spread across 3 discs rather than 4 and all the featurettes are on one disc.

Note: I rated this 3/5, however it is closer to a 3.5/5, I just couldn't justify giving it a 4/5.

Protecting the world from alien invaders, powerful sorcerers and criminal masterminds is a job too big for just one superhero. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Martian Manhunter and the Flash are seven of the world's mightiest superheroes. Together, they are the Justice League. In this collection of entertaining adventures, the Justice League faces such dangerous rogues like Lex Luthor, Felix Faust, Gorilla Grodd and Vandal Savage. Based on the popular DC Comics' characters, "Justice League" is another well produced animated series from the creators of the Emmy-winning "Batman: TAS". "Justice League" premiered on Cartoon Network in 2001 and became a popular hit due to the inmense popularity of the previous animated shows. The first season of "Justice League" features 12 multi-part episodes with likable good-versus-evil plots, refreshing characters, rousing comic book action and colorful animation. The first season is the weakest of the entire animated series but does include such standout episodes as "The Enemy Below", "The Brave and the Bold", "Legends", "A Knight of Shadows" and "The Savage Time".

If you already own "Justice League: Season One" on DVD, then you'll want to think twice before upgrading to the Blu-Ray set. Despite a strong fan outcry for the release of the first season in widescreen, Warner Bros has again disappointed us by presenting all episodes in their full screen broadcast format. On the upside, the picture quality is really good. The episodes never looked so bright and sharp. The 5.1 Dolby Digital sound isn't riveting but gets the job done. The 3-disc Blu-Ray has the same bonus features from the previous DVD set: "Inside Justice League" panel discussion, "The First Mission" promo, "The Look of the League" and "The Blueprint for Justice" featurettes and audio commentaries by series creators on three episodes (The Enemy Below Pt.2, Legends Pt.2 & The Savage Time Pt.2). Overall, "Justice League: Season One" scores a "B-".

Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Hawkgirl & Martian Manhunter! Seven DC Comics legends who normally work alone but are brought together out of necessity to form a team of heroes to protect earth from threats both on and above it. They form The Justice League!

I originally owned this season on regular DVD but when I heard they were re-releasing it on Blu-Ray, I had to have it! It is very crisp and clear! Wished they would've kept in its widescreen format but that's a minor thing for me. Plus, this one comes with 3 discs (which the original release had 4) but all the features that were on the original release are here too! Here are the eppys with the bonus features:

Secret Origins, Pt. 1 - Superman & Batman run across a new threat to mankind that's too big for even them to handle! They run across a new ally in J'hon Jonz, The Maratian Manhunter. But this new alien threat catch on to them and try to take them out!

Secret Origins, Pt. 2 - The trio of Superman, Batman and Maratian Manhunter receive help in the form of Hawkgirl, The Green Lantern (John Stewart) and The Flash. They also get unexpected help from Wonder Woman (I believe JL is the first time Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl and this version of Green Lantern has appeared in any DC animated series/The Flash appeared once in Superman: The Animated Series).

Secret Origins, Pt. 3 - The seven heroes band together to make a final stand against the alien threat to earth!

In Blackest Night, Pt. 1 - A tragic incident from Green Lantern's past comes back to haunt him as The Manhunters come to earth to bring him back for trial.......for destroying an entire planet!

In Blackest Night, Pt. 2 - Superman, Martian Manhunter, Hawkgirl and The Flash travel to Green Lantern's trial only to discover that Lantern's "crime" might be connected to the men that once gave him his powers!

The Enemy Below, Pt. 1 - Aquaman makes his first appearance in the JL series (He made a previous appearance during the Superman series) as he continues his fight with the surface world over pollution of the oceans, not knowing that mutiny is brewing among his own subjects in Atlantis.

*The Enemy Below, Pt. 2 - The Justice League suspect a plot on Aquaman's own life. Meanwhile, Aquaman makes a strong sacrifice to save his infant son as his own brother attempts to assasinate him!

*This episode has commentary by Bruce Timm, James Tucker, Glen Murakami, Rich Fogel and Dan Riba.

Injustice For All, Pt. 1 - Lex Luthor makes his first appearance in the series as he finds out that he has Kryptonite poisioning! Out of revenge, he forms the Injustice Gang which includes Copperhead, Shade, Solomon Grundy and an unwelcome ally in The Joker himself!

Injustice For All, Pt. 2 - The Joker helps The Injustice Gang capture Batman but The Dark Knight has his own way of leading the Justice League to them AND taking them down!

Paradise Lost, Pt. 1 - Feeling homesick, Wonder Woman returns to Themescara only to find that everyone (including her mother) has been turned to stone! A villian named Faust forces Wonder Woman to commit crimes to free them.

Paradise Lost, Pt. 2 - Superman, The Flash, Batman and Martian Manhunter follow Wonder Woman to help her combat this new threat. The ending is both joyous and sad.

War World, Pt. 1 - Superman is captured and taken to a planet called War World. He is forced to fight in their barbaric games while Martian Manhunter, The Green Lantern and Hawkgirl try to rescue him.

War World, Pt. 2 - Having been defeated by Superman, Dragga seeks redemption for himself but the true enemy lies with War World's dictator, Mongol! We also see the first signs of attraction between Hawkgirl and Green Lantern.

The Brave And The Bold, Pt. 1 - Flash is framed for a crime he didn't actually commit under his own will! Green Lantern tries to clear his name but discovers a more sinister plot.

The Brave And The Bold, Pt. 2 - Batman, Hawkgirl and Wonder Woman join in the investigation and discover a plot by Grod, a intelligent gorilla bent on rule! We also see the first glimpse into the flirting between Batman and Wonder Woman!

Fury, Pt. 1 - A human woman who was raised and trained by the Amazons since childhood turns against them and wages war on all men!

Fury, Pt. 2 - With all the other male members down, Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl go to take down this rogue amazon with the help of WW's own mother!

Legends, Pt. 1 - A mishap during a battle with Lex Luthor takes Flash, Martian Manhunter, Hawkgirl and Green Lantern to another time line where they meet up with The Justice Guild!

*Legends, Pt. 2 - The Justice League discover there is more to the world of the Justice Guild than meets the eye!

*Commentary by Bruce Timm, James Tucker, Glen Murakami, Rich Fogel and Dan Riba

A Knight With Shadows, Pt. 1 - Etrigen, from The New Adventures Of Batman, teams with Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash and Martian Manhunter to stop Morgan Le Fey and her spoiled son Mordred!

A Knight With Shadows, Pt. 2 - Morgan Le Fey, sensing weakness with Martian Manhunter, exploits it to cause desension among the JL with Etrigen!

Metamorphasis, Pt. 1 - Green Lantern meets up with old friend Rex Mason, who unwittingly is duped into an experiement which will change his life forever.

Metamorphasis, Pt. 2 - Thinking that Green Lantern was putting the moves on his fiance, Saphire. Rex Mason, now Metamorpho, goes after the JL only to discover that is accident was NO accident and takes on the man responsible....Saphire's own father!

The Savage Time, Pt. 1 - While coming home on a mission, a time flux engulfs the JL (except Batman). The remaining members discover that a man named Savage has taken over using a time travel device to change the result of World War II!

*The Savage Time, Pt. 2 - The JL go back in time to World War II to correct history! Guest starring The Blackhawks, Sgt. Rock and his Commandos and Steve Trevor (a prominent character from both the Wonder Woman comic book and the TV show in the 1970's).

*Commentary by Bruce Timm, James Tucker, Glen Murakami, Rich Fogel and Dan Riba.

The Savage Time, Pt. 3 - The climactic conclusion of this thrilling tale which features a touching ending.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Justice League: The First Mission. Never before seen promo!
- Inside Justice League: Creators' Panel Discussion
- Storyboards: The Blueprint For Justice
- The Look Of The League: Character Design

I would recommend this if you don't have Season 1 of this series or if you have a Blu-Ray player! Worth the money!

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 21 reviews  4.2 out of 5 stars