Fallout: New Vegas Review

Fallout: New Vegas

Developer: Obsidian Entertainment

Publisher: Bethesda Softworks (US, UK, JP), Namco Bandai (EU, AU, NZ), & 1C/Cenega (PL, RU, CZ)

Release Date: October 19, 2010

Genre: Role-playing Ga,e

Engine: Gamebryo

Modes: Single Player

Platforms: Xbox, PS3, Windows

Media: Blu-Ray Disc, DVD, Download

Fallout: New Vegas is a role-playing video game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Bethesda Softworks. While New Vegas is not a direct sequel, it uses the same engine and style as Fallout 3. It was developed by a few of the employees who worked on previous Fallout games at Black Isle Studios, along with a larger number of new employees. It is set in a post-apocalyptic Nevada.

The game was released on October 19, 2010 in North America, October 22, 2010 in Europe, and November 4, 2010 in Asia. It is available on the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.

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Development History

Fallout New Vegas was announced on April 20, 2009 at Bethesda’s London showcase. While the first information was released in PC Gamer’s February 2010 issue. A cinematic teaser trailer can be seen below.

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Setting

The game is set in and around a post-apocalyptic retro-futuristic Las Vegas, following the Great War between the U.S., China as a conventional and nuclear war that occurred on October 22 - October 23, 2077, and lasted less than two hours, despite causing colossal damage and destruction. Before the Great War was the Resource Wars, during which the United Nations disbanded, a plague rendered the United States paranoid, and Canada was annexed. The city of Las Vegas itself wasn't hit as hard as most of the other districts, with most buildings being left intact as a result. The Hoover Dam supplies free electricity and water to those who control it.

New Vegas concept art

Story

The story has taken some parts from the Fallout and Fallout 2 stories, and is for the most part unrelated to its predecessor, Fallout 3.

Fallout: New Vegas takes place in 2281, four years after the events of Fallout 3, and thirty-nine years after Fallout 2. The New California Republic plays a major part in the game's story, being in a three-way struggle amongst the Caesar's Legion slavers, and the mysterious Mr. House.

The player's character, The Courier, was meant to deliver a package from Primm to New Vegas. However, the Courier is intercepted by the Great Khans lead by a mysterious man, who shoots him and takes the package, leaving the Courier for dead in a shallow grave. The Courier is later found by a robot named Victor, and is sent to the settlement of Goodsprings, where Doctor Mitchell saves his life. After the Courier is given some medical tests, the player is pushed back into the open world, and the quest, Ain't That a Kick in the Head, begins. Fallout: New Vegas has a definitive ending, unlike Fallout 3.

Endings for Fallout: New Vegas, are dependent on what actions the player took via quests during the game, with separate endings being shown for each major location, political faction, and recruit able companion.

Main Screen

Gameplay

The gameplay system is similar to Fallout 3 gameplay, although some changes have been made, one being changes to the combat system to make it feel more like a first-person shooter, including the ability to use weapon iron sights.

Hardcore Mode

Hardcore mode is an optional setting which makes the game more realistic, with gameplay elements such as dehydration, and non-instantaneous healing. If you choose against playing the game mode, it can be turned back on mid-game. Either a trophy or achievement is awarded for completing Fallout: New Vegas on Hardcore mode, however, in order to earn it, the entire game must be played in Hardcore, from the point first prompted until the endgame sequence, without ever turning the setting off. The Casual/Hardcore mode distinction is independent of difficulty settings.

Character System

The SPECIAL system returns, and directly influences speech options and quests. Unlike Fallout 3, traits are available for taking, and perks are gained every two levels instead of every one, a move made by the developers to avoid creating overpowered Couriers. Now with the DLCs added to me it feels like the Courier is OPed, hardcore. Not even kidding, with all of the DLCs added your level goes up to 50. Now as I was walking through a train yard I pulled out a pistol and took out two Deathclaws, one bullet each. So I believe that the player becomes OPed in the DLCs, any level higher than say 30 in the main area you are going to end everyone.

Combat

The Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, or V.A.T.S., is an active pause combat system implemented in the game, just like in Fallout 3. While using V.A.T.S., the otherwise real-time combat is paused. V.A.T.S. also allows the gory deaths in the game to be shown in slow motion and great detail. Attacks in V.A.T.S. cost Action Points, and the player can target specific body areas for attacks to inflict specific injuries…. Come on you should know this… Moving on.

Man's Best Friend, Rex

Karma and Reputation

Basically it’s a mix of the reputation system in Fallout 2 and Fallout 3. Karma is back, incorporated alongside a reputation system similar to Fallout 2. Reputation is a form of tracking relationships within the many factions and towns of Fallout: New Vegas, such as the NCR or Goodsprings. A high reputation with a faction or town may give certain benefits, such as gifts from the people of that town, while a low reputation may lead to hits being taken out against you. Karma in New Vegas has little effect compared to Fallout 3; reputation is the primary factor as to how people will react to you.

Weapon Modding

A modding feature allows you to modify your gun by adding scopes, extended magazines, silencers, and more. Weapons can have a maximum of three attached mods, and they cannot be removed once placed. At one point I didn’t do much modding, I didn’t feel the need too. But once I got the hang of it, it was pretty neat to use.

In game shot of the Hoover Dam

Unique Weapons

There will be unique versions of weapons, a feature introduced in Fallout 3. Unique weapons have different textures, and some may even have unique models. Unique weapons cannot be modified, but their built-in abilities and higher damage output often make up for it.

Companion Wheel

A new companion wheel has been added to quickly and easily give companions commands such as 'Talk', 'Use Ranged Weapons' and 'Wait Here'. It also makes it easier to swap health and equipment. The companions also have their likes and dislikes; giving a sniper companion a shotgun, for example, will result in a nasty remark and decreased effectiveness. This makes handling your companions so much easier. I really do think this is one of the best new features to this game. It’s so very helpful.

Gambling

The city of New Vegas, as well as other smaller settlements in the game, has a variety of colorful casinos or other forms of gambling to explore. In Fallout: New Vegas, several gambling mini-games have been added, including blackjack, roulette, and slots. Outside the casinos, many people across the Mojave play Caravan, a card game designed by Obsidian specifically for New Vegas. Luck is a considerable factor when it comes to gambling. You get money for winning, and floor managers will congratulate you with food or drink and maybe a VIP stay at the hotel. Winning too much money after that, however, will make the managers come down, give you the customary "tap on the shoulder", and tell you to leave the casino on suspicions of cheating.

Hoover Dam concept art

Now that I have gone over everything, I have a few things to say. Fallout 3 is what going me into the Fallout games. With its mix of action and heartfelt story, I mean come on Liam Neeson is your dad in 3. He’s bad ass. Now as I played Fallout 3 on my PC I had to pick up New Vegas on the PC as well. Which I did. Let me say, I never heard of Steam before this and I wasn’t happy the night it came out. I thought I an hour I would be playing the game like everyone else. No. I had to download and install Steam and then wait to 2 am to use my code to download New Vegas, it then took 14 hours to download. What a mood killer.

One of the very first things that I notice is damn thing crashes every five fucking minutes. I mean come on, I opened a fucking door, let’s go. At one point the damn game was so buggy I couldn’t play it. I had to wait till Bethesda released updates, which took forever. Then had to wait for Steam updates. I think at one point I only had 5 hours in it. And because of the start and stop playing I did and I couldn’t get into it. I didn’t seem to care about the story. I had no idea what the main goal was and what my purpose was. Mind you this is before the DLCs came out. Even with them out, I still have no idea.

Fallout New Vegas is worth your time if you’re willing to give it up. For a long time I was very bitter about this game and it made me miss Fallout 3. While it was a whole new area and different people than the Capital Wasteland, I felt this game was a cheap copy of Fallout 3. I even made a comment to a friend at school saying that the game looked like Fallout 3 if someone turned the lights on.

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Ace gives Fallout: New Vegas

3 bat hounds out of 5

…and yes I’m still bitter

Zero Punctuation Review by Ben 'Yahtzee' Croshaw 

Other videos can be found here: Fallout Bethsoft Videos

Now as this is New Vegas we're talking about there are casinos and there are hookers. So not kidding.

NSFW

DC Universe Animated Original Movies Part Six

DC Universe Animated Original Movies Part Six

All-Star Superman

All-Star Superman is an adaptation of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's 2005–2008 comic book All-Star Superman. It was written by writer Dwayne McDuffie and directed by Sam Liu. Now this was one of the last things that Dwayne McDuffie worked on before he passed away. It took me a long time to sit down and watch this one. Mr. McDuffie was a great writer and I still miss his work.

Alright, plot summary, All-Star Superman, like I said is based off Morrison and Guitely’s book. From what I remember of the comic it’s pretty close. Now while saving the crew of the first ever mission to the sun, Superman is poisoned by the solar radiation. Well that sucks. Now he’s dying he decides to fulfill his lifelong dreams, while saving the Earth from various threats. Wow, the bad guys will not leave the dying man alone. When Lex Luthor reveals his latest plot to control the world, Superman must remaining strength to stop him. Superman can’t get a damn break. 

Cast:

James Denton as Kal-El / Clark Kent / Superman

Christina Hendricks as Lois Lane / Superwoman

Anthony LaPaglia as Lex Luthor

Edward Asner as Perry White

Obba Babatundé as Judge, Bibliobot (uncredited)

Steven Blum as Atlas, General Sam Lane (uncredited)

Linda Cardellini as Nasthalthia "Nasty" Luthor

Cathy Cavadini as Floral, Cat Grant (uncredited)

Frances Conroy as Martha Kent

Chris Cox as Lead Agent

Alexis Denisof as Dr. Leo Quintum

John DiMaggio as Samson, Ultra-Sphinx (uncredited)

Robin Atkin Downes as Solaris

Michael Gough as Parasite

Matthew Gray Gubler as Jimmy Olsen

Finola Hughes as Lilo

Kevin Michael Richardson as Steve Lombard

Fred Tatasciore as Krull

Arnold Vosloo as Bar-El

Release Date: February 22, 2011

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Green Lantern: Emerald Knights

Green Lantern: Emerald Knights, similar to Batman: Gotham Knight, is an anthology film that tells a series of stories featuring various members of the Green Lantern Corps, including Abin Sur, Sinestro, Kilowog, and Mogo. While not a direct sequel to First Flight, the film uses the same character designs and includes a cameo by Ch'p, who had a speaking role in the previous film. Now there are six parts to this movie, like Batman: Gotham Knight, and seeing as I’m not a huge Lantern fan I was be doing a short summary for each. Summaries contains spoilers.

The summary for the main plot line is as follows: As the home planet of the Green Lantern Corps faces a battle with an ancient enemy, Hal Jordan prepares new recruit Arisia for the coming conflict by relating stories of the first Green Lantern and several of Hal's comrades.

The First Lantern

Now with that being said Hal starts to tell Arisia the story of the Green Lantern, a scribe to the Guardians, is chosen by one of the first four power ring despite having no skill as a warrior, Avra. After the death of one the Lanterns Avra uses his imagination and willpower as a writer to continue a battle. Thanks to that Avra the Lantern’s win a war. Avra rises in prestige among the Green Lantern Corps, and after his death his ring is passed down until it eventually becomes Abin Sur’s and then Hal Jordan’s.

Kilowog

Sgt. Deegan trains a rookie Kilowog and others by removing their power rings and putting them in deadly settings. Kilowog confronts Deegan and accuses him of a reckless training method and having no value for the lives of his trainees. Sgt. Deegan is then called to act with his recruits when a nearby planet comes under attack. Deegan purposefully drops Kilowog’s ring before departing with the other recruits. In the battle Deegan orders the rookies to protect the refugees as he deals with the invaders. As Kilowog catches up, Sgt. Deegan is mortally wounded. Kilowog destroys the army and goes to Deegan's side. Deegan tells Kilowog he never would have let his rookies die and that he did what was best for their training. He passes superiority to Kilowog who then takes up completing the mission.

Laira

Once a princess, Laira is sent on her first solo mission to her homeworld to deal with charges that her people are attacking other nations unprovoked. Standing in her way, Laira quickly defeats her father's mistress and her belittling brother. But when she faces her father she is saddened to learn that the recent war crimes were his own decision. He has been driven into rage by the loss of honor that Laira's ring chose her and not him. Laira is ultimately able to defeat her father who admits she has truly earned her adulthood. He then commits ritual suicide to maintain his honor.

Mogo Doesn't Socialize

Bolphunga the Unrelenting seeks to fight and destroy all the most powerful warriors in the universe and is told he will never defeat the Green Lantern Mogo. Bolphunga’s computer contains no information on Mogo but tracks his whereabouts to a mysterious green planet. There Bolphunga spends weeks tracking Mogo's power signatures but never finds the elusive Lantern. Bolphunga sets explosives all over the planet to flush Mogo out but is horrified when the planet extinguishes all the bombs and Mogo is revealed to be the entire planet.

Abin Sur

Hal Jordan's predecessor Abin Sur fights Atrocitus, alien criminal speaking dark prophecies. Abin Sur is assisted by Sinestro in capturing the alien. Sinestro and Abin Sur then have a conversation relating to the warnings that Atrocitus spoke and Sinestro insists that he does not believe in destiny. Parting ways, Abin Sur takes the criminal to a prison planet where Atrocitus again speaks on Abin Sur's imminent death. He also warns Abin that Sinestro will rise against the Green Lantern Corps and create his own lantern corps built on the power of fear. Abin Sur however refuses to believe his friend would betray his Green Lantern duties.

Emerald Knights

Krona finally arrives from the Oa Sun. All the Green Lanterns fight swarms of Shadow Demons as Krona, an enormous figure, rises from the sun. Many Green Lanterns are killed and all others fall back. It is Arisia who devises a plan: if Krona is made of anti-matter then an equal or greater amount of matter will destroy him on contact. The Green Lanterns fall behind the planet Oa and push it at Krona. Krona uses Shadow Demons to push back and the Corps finds itself stymied while taking casualties. However, Mogo the Living Planet arrives and uses its own mass and Lantern Power to assist his comrades. Oa and Krona are forced into the sun and both are annihilated. The prophecy of Oa's destruction is fulfilled, but Krona is destroyed and the Corps is saved.

Cast:

Nathan Fillion as Hal Jordan

Jason Isaacs as Sinestro

Elisabeth Moss as Arisia Rrab

Henry Rollins as Kilowog

Arnold Vosloo as Abin Sur

Kelly Hu as Laira

Tony Amendola as Kentor, Appa Ali Apsa (uncredited)

Steven Blum as Kloba Vud, Palaqua (uncredited), Ranakar (uncredited), G'Hu (uncredited), Additional Voices

Grey DeLisle as Ree'Yu, Ardakian Trawl (uncredited), Boodikka (uncredited)

Michael Jackson as Ganthet

Peter Jessop as Salaak

David Kaufman as Rubyn

Sunil Malhotra as Bolphunga's Ship

Roddy Piper as Bolphunga

Andrea Romano as Abin Sur's Ring, Deegan's Ring (uncredited)

Jane Singer as Wachet

James Arnold Taylor as Tomar-Re

Bruce Thomas as Atrocitus

Mitchell Whitfield as Avra

Wade Williams as Deegan

Gwendoline Yeo as Blu

Bruce Timm as Galius Zed (uncredited)

Release Date: June 8, 2011

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So yeah, I’m behind in posting. That’s my bad. Next is Batman: Year One and Justice League: Doom.

I’ll be starting my review for Fallout: New Vegas and the DLCs soon.

Maybe even do a top list for the video games for 2011

Take it easy,

Ace

DC Universe Animated Original Movies Part Five

DC Universe Animated Original Movies Part Five

Batman: Under the Red Hood

Under the Red Hood is based off two comic story-lines "A Death in the Family" and "Under the Hood". This film is the eight of Animated Original Movies from Warner Bros. The plot is pretty straight froward, if you anything about "A Death in the Family" you know Robin (Jason Todd) dies... spoilers... The Joker kills the poor boy by beating the shit out of them and blowing the poor boy up. One hell of a way to go. So the story jumps five years and we are back in Gotham City and there's a new face in the city, Red Hood. The Red Hood is trying to take over the drug trade from Black Mask, telling Black Mask's men protection from both Batman and Black Mask. 


Now I'm too lazy to go through the whole story, that and it would take to long. So it turns out Jason Todd isn't dead, woot, but he is the Red Hodd, boo. Thanks to Ra's al Ghul's Lazarus Pits Jason comes back from the dead, just a bit crazy. So Jason escaped and returned to Gotham to kill The Joker, since Bruce didn't do it. Bruce tells him that he wanted to, but couldn't go back if he did. Batman and Red Hood may have one of the best fights I've seen before. I've watched lot of Batman but there's something about this fight that I love. It maybe the Jason's mix of fighting styles, a mix of street fighting and a style that only Bruce would teach. I'm pretty happy with this DVD the story is dark, the colors mix with the story.

Now I've been watching Batman since I was like 5 the one and only voice of Bruce Wayne/Batman I know is Kevin Conroy. For some reason I feel that Bruce Greenwood isn't the best choice for Batman. When Alfred and Bruce had this one scene it didn't feel right. But I think I have found one my favorite Jokers ever! John DiMaggio, the same man that plays Bender and Marcus Fenix. I love this man's voice, he has one of the best Joker's laughs ever! When Mark Hamill stops playing Joker I want this man to play him.


Cast:

Bruce Greenwood as Bruce Wayne / Batman

Jensen Ackles as Jason Todd / Red Hood (adult)

John DiMaggio as The Joker, Additional Voices

Neil Patrick Harris as Dick Grayson / Nightwing

Jason Isaacs as Ra's al Ghul

Wade Williams as Roman Sionis / Black Mask

Carlos Alazraqui as Chi Chi, Thug #1 (uncredited)

Robert Clotworthy as Leon

Gary Cole as Bobo, Commissioner James Gordon (uncredited), Guard #2 (uncredited)

Brian George as Ra's Assistant

Kelly Hu as Ms. Li

Phil LaMarr as Rick, Additional Voices

Alex Martella as Jason Todd / Robin (young)

Vincent Martella as Jason Todd / Robin (teen)

Jim Piddock as Alfred Pennyworth

Kevin Michael Richardson as Tyler,  Large Assassin (uncredited), Additional Voices

Andrea Romano as Reporter #1

Dwight Schultz as Freddie, Drug Dealer (uncredited)

Fred Tatasciore as Mercenary #1, Amazo (uncredited), Guard (uncredited)

Keri Tombazian as Reporter #2, Female Assassin (uncredited)

Bruce Timm as Edward Nygma / The Riddler

Michael Villani as Reporter #3

Release Date: July 27, 2010

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Superman/Batman: Apocalypse

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, a sequel in the Superman/Batman series, was confirmed for 2010 after the positive sales of Superman/Batman: Public Enemies. Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is based on the second story arc, "The Supergirl from Krypton", from the Superman/Batman monthly comic book title from 2004 by Jeph Loeb and Michael Turner. I have to say I wasn't as happy with this one as I was with Public Enemies. It just didn't flow was well as the first one did.

Cast:
Andre Braugher as Darkseid
Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne / Batman
Tim Daly as Kal-El / Clark Kent / Superman
Susan Eisenberg as Princess Diana / Diana Prince / Wonder Woman
Summer Glau as Kara Zor-El / Supergirl
Julianne Grossman as Big Barda
Edward Asner as Granny Goodness
John Cygan as Male Radio Caller, Gus (uncredited)
Dave Mitchell as Bearded Longshorema
Rachel Quaintance as Lyla, Artemis (uncredited)
Andrea Romano as Stompa, News Anchor Vicki Vale (uncredited)
Salli Saffioti as Gilotina, Mad Harriet (uncredited)
Tara Strong as Female Radio Caller 2, Lashina (uncredited)
Jim Ward as Radio DJ,Cop (uncredited)
Greg Alan Williams as Terrified Longshoreman
April Winchell as Female Radio Caller 1, Tresha (uncredited)

This is the first project that Kevin Conroy and Susan Eisenberg have done since Justice League ended. It was nice to have her back as Wonder Woman, she plays her so well, I've missed her as Wonder Woman. But Ed Asner as Granny Goodness has one my favorite lines in the whole movie. 

Wonder Woman and Big Barda enter this area and Granny is standing on top of something.

"Where you grew up Barda is where you'll die!" 

Release Date: September 28, 2010

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Woot, All-Star Superman and the new GL movie are going to be in the same post. I want to watch them both again before writing about them.

Ace

DC Universe Animated Original Movies Part Four

DC Universe Animated Original Movies Part Four

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies


Superman/Batman: Public Enemies is based on the first arc, "The World's Finest", from the Superman/Batman monthly title that ran from 2003 to 2004 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness. President Lex Luthor uses the oncoming trajectory of a Kryptonite asteroid to frame Superman for the "pending destruction of the planet" and declares a $1 billion bounty on the heads of the Man of Steel and his “partner in crime,” Batman. Superheroes and super villains alike launch a relentless pursuit of Superman and Batman, who must unite to stave off the action-packed onslaught, stop the asteroid, and uncover Luthor’s devious plot. I have both the DVD and the comic and I have to say they are pretty close. I love how Jeph Loeb writes Superman and Batman. The two play so well off each other is great. 

The cast for this one a few have reprising their roles, trust me it will make you happy.

Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne / Batman

Clancy Brown as Lex Luthor

Tim Daly as Kal-El / Clark Kent / Superman

Xander Berkeley as Nathaniel Christopher Adam / Captain Atom

Corey Burton as Captain Marvel, Cyrus Gold / Solomon Grundy (uncredited)

Ricardo Chavira as Clifford Zmeck / Major Force

Allison Mack as Kara Zor-L / Karen Starr / Power Girl

John C. McGinley as John Corben / Metallo

C. C. H. Pounder as Amanda Waller

LeVar Burton as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning

Calvin Tran as Hiro Okamura / Toyman

Mark Jonathan Davis as Newscaster, Additional Voices

Brian George as Gorilla Grodd

Jennifer Hale as Princess Koriand'r / Starfire, Louise Lincoln / Killer Frost (uncredited)

Rachael MacFarlane as Eve Eden / Nightshade, Sandra Wu-San / Lady Shiva (uncredited), Billy Batson (uncredited)

Alan Oppenheimer as Alfred Pennyworth

Andrea Romano as Dr. Doris Zeul / Giganta, Computer, Additional Voices

Bruce Timm as Mongul

Michael Gough as Carter Hall / Hawkman (uncredited), Leonard Snart / Captain Cold (uncredited)

Jonathan Adams as General (uncredited)

Release Date: September 29, 2009


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Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

Loosely based on Grant Morrison's 2000 comic book JLA: Earth 2, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths dealt with a heroic Lex Luthor from an alternate universe appearing to recruit the Justice League to help save his Earth from the Crime Syndicate, a gang of villainous characters with nearly identical super powers to the Justice League. What ensues is the ultimate battle of good versus evil in a war that threatens both planets and, through a devious plan launched by Owlman, puts the balance of all existence in peril. The film was originally brought up as a possible return to the Justice League Unlimited animated series with the title Justice League: Worlds Collide. However, when that series was canceled, the idea was modified into Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths by mostly retaining the same plot, but removing connections to the TV series.

Mark Harmon as Kal-El / Clark Kent / Superman (OMG, It's Leroy Jethro Gibbs!)

William Baldwin as Bruce Wayne / Batman

Chris Noth as Lex Luthor

Gina Torres as Superwoman

James Woods as Owlman ("Oh, a piece of candy!")

Jonathan Adams as J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter

Brian Bloom as Ultraman

Bruce Davison as President Slade Wilson

Josh Keaton as Wally West / The Flash, Aquaman (uncredited)

Vanessa Marshall as Princess Diana / Wonder Woman

Nolan North as Hal Jordan / Green Lantern, Power Ring (uncredited)

Freddi Rogers as Rose Wilson

James Patrick Stuart as Johnny Quick, The Jester (uncredited)

Carlos Alazraqui as Breakdance, Secret Service Agent (uncredited)

Richard Green as Jimmy Olsen

Jim Meskimen as Captain Super, Archer (uncredited)

Andrea Romano as Watchtower Computer, Reporter (uncredited)

Bruce Timm as Uncle Super, Captain Super Jr. (uncredited)

Kari Wührer as Model Citizen, Black Canary (uncredited)

Cedric Yarbrough as Firestorm, Black Lightning (uncredited)

Release Date: February 23, 2010

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Another posted over two months later. I have a new computer... woot. In part five; Batman: Under the Red Hood, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, and All-Star Superman.


Ace

DC Universe Animated Original Movies Part Three

DC Universe Animated Original Movies Part Three

Wonder Woman

The solo Wonder Woman film dealt primarily with the origin story of Diana of Themyscira and how she became the recognizable superheroine Wonder Woman.  Much of the structure of the origin story was borrowed from George Pérez's post-Crisis on Infinite Earths comics 1987 relaunch entitled "Gods and Mortals". Before screenwriter Michael Jelenic was brought on board for rewrites, the original script was written by former monthly Wonder Woman scribe Gail Simone. I will say I am very happy with this movie. It's very well done, everything from the acting to the staging. Everything. Lauren Montgomery directed this film, it isn't her job as a director, she directed the second act of Superman: Doomsday and was a storyboard artist on Justice League: The New Frontier. The story was written by Gail Simone and Michael Jelenic. Like all of the releases before it was produced by DC Comics and WB animation veteran Bruce Timm.

Once again Andrea Romano got the best in the acting world. Man, what a cast. Don't believe me? Take a look below. 

Keri Russell as Princess Diana of Themyscira / Diana Prince / Wonder Woman

Nathan Fillion as Steve Trevor

Alfred Molina as Ares

Rosario Dawson as Artemis

Marg Helgenberger as Hera

Oliver Platt as Hades

Virginia Madsen as Hippolyta

Skye Arens as Little Girl

John DiMaggio as Deimos / Homeless Man

Julianne Grossman as Etta Candy

Vicki Lewis as Persephone

David McCallum as Zeus (Dude, it's Ducky again!)

Jason Miller as Thrax / Gang Leader

Rick Overton as Slick / The President of the United States of America

Andrea Romano as President's Adviser

Tara Strong as Alexa

Bruce Timm as Attacker

Release Date: March 3, 2009

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Green Lantern: First Flight

Lauren Montgomery returned from Wonder Woman to direct Green Lantern: First Flight. According to Montgomery, "It’s a cop-thriller set in outer space, with very little time spent on Earth. It’s a training day sort of story where the veteran, Sinestro, space cop meets the rookie, Hal Jordan, space cop, but because the veteran has been ‘around the block’ it may have skewed his perspective a bit." The film focuses on Hal Jordan and his relationship with veteran Green Lantern Sinestro, and their relationship as pupil and teacher, until Sinestro betrays the Green Lantern Corps. (Spoiler!) 

According to director Montgomery, Jordan's origin story was previously covered in the Justice League: The New Frontier film: "...we really didn't want to spend a whole lot of time telling that same story over again. So in Green Lantern: First Flight, the origin story is over and done before the opening credits."

^Cast:

Christopher Meloni as Hal Jordan

Victor Garber as Thaal Sinestro

Tricia Helfer as Boodikka

Michael Madsen as Kilowog

Juliet Landau as Labella

Olivia D'Abo as Carol Ferris

Richard McGonagle as Abin Sur

John Larroquette as Tomar-Re

Kurtwood Smith as Kanjar Ro

William Schallert as Appa Ali Apsa

Larry Drake as Ganthet

Rob Paulsen as Qward Weaponers

Kath Soucie as Arisia Rrab

Malachi Throne as Ranakar

David Lander as Ch'p

Richard Green as Cuch

Jim Wise as Lieutenant

Bruce Timm as Bug Boy

Release Date: July 28, 2009

Well this is the end of Part Three. Part Four is Superman/Batman: Public Enemies & Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths. Here's to hoping my laptop hasn't killed itself. 

Ace

DC Universe Animated Original Movies Part Two

Part Two of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies

Next up is Batman: Gotham Knight which ties into the release of The Dark Knight in 2008. Batman: Gotham Knight is an anthology film, which means a film made up of several different short films tying into a single theme, that tells a series of stories that take place between 2005's Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. This was the first movie to ever use authentic Japanese anime from five different animation studios. 

Segments:

Have I Got a Story for You

Have I Got a Story for You was written by Josh Olson and animated by  Studio 4°C. It's the story of three teenagers telling their one friend about Batman. Each kid has a different version of Batman, one as a living shadow, one as half-man and half-bat kinda like Man-Bat, and the last is more like Iron Man. Friend that hasn't seen Batman finally gets to see him, when the bad guy, called Man in Black, he is chasing ends up where the kids are. The young man sees him as what he really is; a very human warrior in costume. As the segment ends you hear the fourth kid tell his friends; "Have I got a story for you guys!"

Cast for Have I Got a Story for You:

Kevin Conroy as Batman

Jason Marsden as Cop

Scott Menville as B-Devil

George Newbern as Man in Black

Corey Padnos as Porkchop

Crystal Scales as Meesh

Alanna Ubach as Dander

Crossfire

Crossfire was written by Greg Rucka and animated by Production I.G.. Crispus Allen and Anna Ramirez are partners and members of the Major Crimes Unit that have been hand-picked by James Gordon. The two are assigned to take the recently captured Man in Black (captured during Have I Got A Story For You), revealed to be Jacob Feely, an escaped inmate from Arkham Asylum with an expertise in advanced electronics and explosives, to the Narrows to be incarcerated. So on the way back Ramirez and Allen get into a fight about him leaving MCU, but they get caught in a confrontation between tow gangs, Sal Maroni and The Russian. Batman saves them both gangs and Ramirez from Sal Maroni. He recognizes them as Gordon's officers and tells them that Gordon is a good judge of character, and disappears. 

Cast for Crossfire

Kevin Conroy as Batman

Corey Burton as The Russian

Gary Dourdan as Crispus Allen

Jason Marsden as Doctor

Scott Menville as Cop

Jim Meskimen as James Gordon

Pat Musick as News Anchor

Ana Ortiz as Anna Ramirez

Rob Paulsen as Maroni

Andrea Romano as Dispatcher

Field Test 

Field Test was written by Jordan Goldberg and animated by Bee Train. An accident involving a new WayneCom satellite's gyroscopic electromagnetic guidance system gives Lucius Fox an idea to create a device with the satellite's gyro with an advanced motion sensor that will electromagnetically deflect small-arms fire. Bruce Wayne takes the device and attends a charity golf tournament being held by developer Ronald Marshall, with whom he discusses the mysterious death of a woman, Teresa Williams, who had opposed some of Marshall's plans. During the tournament, Bruce takes Marshall's PDA. Later, Batman hijacks a boat owned by Sal Maroni and drives it into  The Russian’s, and attacks both gangs at once, while using his new device. He attempts to force a truce between the two gang leaders until he can get evidence against them, but is disrupted when one of Maroni's men fires at him. The bullet deflects and instead hits one of The Russian's men. Distressed, Batman takes the injured man to the hospital. Later, he returns the device to Fox, stating, "... it works too well; I'm willing to put my life on the line to do what I have to. But it has to be mine, no one else's." A side note about Field Test, the Bruce Wayne in this one is much younger than the others we've seen so far, Kevin Conroy does an awesome job at making Bruce Wayne sound like he's ten years younger. 

Cast for Field Test

Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne / Batman

Corey Burton as The Russian, Ronald Marshall

Will Friedle as Anton

George Newbern as Guido

Rob Paulsen as Sal Maroni

Kevin Michael Richardson as Lucius Fox

In Darkness Dwells 

In Darkness Dwells, was written by David S. Goyer and animated by Madhouse. The police respond to a riot in a cathedral where Cardinal O'Fallon was giving a sermon. According to eyewitness testimony, the Cardinal was abducted by a large lizard-monster and taken down into the crypts below. Lieutenant Gordon, Crispus Allen, and Anna Ramirez investigate; Gordon has a brief conversation with Batman, who agrees with Gordon's theory that the Scarecrow's fear toxin is behind the riot as the doctor has been at large since the riot at the Narrows (during the event of Batman Begins).

Batman gives Gordon an earpiece that will allow them to stay in contact and descends below ground, trying to find Cardinal O'Fallon and his abductor. A homeless man living in an abandoned subway station identifies the abductor as Killer Croc. Batman and Gordon briefly discuss the villain's past, but are cut off when Killer Croc himself shows up, under the influence of the fear toxin, and attacks Batman. Batman defeats him, but not before sustaining a bite that transfers some of the toxin to him.

He then finds Cardinal O'Fallon being put on trial and sentenced to death by the Scarecrow, who is unhappy with O'Fallon's efforts to help the homeless. Batman leaps in to defend the Cardinal. Using the methane already present in the room, he sparks an explosion that destroys several water pipes, flooding the area and allowing him to escape with the Cardinal. Gordon appears in a helicopter to retrieve the Cardinal. The Cardinal offers to help Batman, but Batman refuses, saying, "Maybe next time."

Cast for In Darkness Dwells:

Kevin Conroy as Batman

Corey Burton as The Scarecrow

Gary Dourdan as Crispus Allen

Will Friedle as Cultist

Brian George as O'Fallon

Jim Meskimen as James Gordon

George Newbern as Man

Ana Ortiz as Anna Ramirez

Rob Paulsen as Mole Man

Working Through Pain

Working Through Pain was written by Brian Azzarello and animated by Studio 4°C. Continuing on from In Darkness Dwells, Batman is shot in the stomach by a man hallucinating in the sewers of Gotham.

He cauterizes the wound and attempts to get out from underground, reflecting on his experiences with managing pain as he does so. First, he remembers volunteering with a relief effort and assisting a doctor in performing surgery without anesthesia. Next, he reflects on the lessons he learned from a woman named Cassandra, who was cast out of her community for disguising herself as a boy in an attempt to become a Fakir.

Over several months, she teaches him to minimize his pain to the point where he can control it, sleeping on a bed of needles or standing on hot coals without reacting. One night, several young men appear to harass Cassandra, who takes their blows without seeming to feel them. Bruce steps in to defend her, not only demonstrating his ability to withstand their attacks, but defeating them all with his martial arts skills. Cassandra then tells him to leave, saying that he has learned what he came to learn.

She then comments on how Bruce's pain was beyond her, or possibly even his, ability to handle, but how it also appeared to be leading him down a path he desired. Back in the present, Batman ends up in a gutter, where he discovers a cache of guns buried in the garbage. Alfred arrives to assist him and tells Batman to give him his hand so he can pull him out of the gutter, but Batman, arms full of guns, replies that he cannot.

Cast for Working Through Pain:

Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne / Batman

Will Friedle as Youth 1

Brian George as Arman, Scruffy Man

Jason Marsden as Youth 2

David McCallum as Alfred Pennyworth

Parminder Nagra as Cassandra

George Newbern as Youth 3

Rob Paulsen as Youth 4

Kevin Michael Richardson as Avery, Wounded Man

Hynden Walch as Young Cassandra

Note about the cast. David McCallum as Alfred is awesome. Dude, it's Ducky from NCIS! 

Deadshot

Deadshot was written by Alan Burnett and animated by Madhouse. Bruce Wayne has a flashback to the murder of his parents. In his penthouse, he examines the firearms he took from the underground tunnel's gutter (during the event of Working Through Pain) which he intends to turn in to the police. Wayne admits to Alfred that even though he vowed never to use them in the memory of his parents, he can still understand the temptation to use one. Meanwhile, in another city, an assassin known as Deadshot carries out an assassination on a local mayor with a spectacularly difficult shot from a ferris wheel literally miles away from the man and returns to his tropical base. There, one of his associates hires him to carry out a hit in Gotham. It is revealed that The Russian has put out a hit on Lieutenant Gordon, and Batman is called in to protect him. 

Batman gives Crispus Allen Ronald Marshall's handheld PDA device (which he stole as Bruce Wayne in Field Test), containing a link to encrypted e-mails proving that Ronald Marshall hired Deadshot in the past. He then follows Gordon's motorcade, with Alfred providing satellite-imagery assistance using the new WayneCom satellites. Deadshot attempts to shoot Gordon from a moving train, but Batman deflects the bullet. Deadshot then gleefully reveals that Batman was his real target the entire time, and that the threat against Gordon was merely a ruse to draw him out. He opens fire as the train enters a tunnel, and as Batman attempts to charge Deadshot, he is injured, falling off the train. Deadshot advances to where he saw Batman fall, gloating, but is ambushed from behind and disarmed. He and Ronald Marshall are arrested. Wayne confides to Alfred about how similar the fight in the tunnel seemed to the night his parents were murdered, and comments that "I've been trying to stop those two bullets all my life." He expresses discouragement, and Alfred agrees, but adds that he thinks Bruce has a higher purpose. Bruce then looks up at the sky and sees the Bat-Signal.

Cast of Deadshot

Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne / Batman

Gary Dourdan as Crispus Allen

Jason Marsden as Thomas Wayne, Doctor

Jim Meskimen as James Gordon, Floyd Lawton / Deadshot

David McCallum as Alfred Pennyworth

Pat Musick as News Anchor

Kevin Michael Richardson as Bulky Man

Andrea Romano as Martha Wayne

Hynden Walch as Young Bruce, Female Campaign Worker

This is the end of Part Two. Part Three should be up soon.

Ace