Starring Justin Hartley, Anson Mount

Directed by Matt Peters

Warner Bros., out now

When the Joker causes Lois Lane’s death, he unleashes chaos on a scale even he might not have imagined…

Coming to this movie fresh (bar seeing the trailers) and therefore not knowing either the video game or its attendant comic books, it looked as if we were basically getting “Superman becomes Peacemaker” – in other words, what would the world be like if the Big Boy Scout actually didn’t care how many men, women and children he killed to achieve peace? And to an extent, that’s what we do get, although there seem to be multiple areas which were ripe for expansion that are instead quickly glossed over.

The inciting incident is shocking, particularly when you realise who is actually directly responsible for Lois’ death and there’s some collateral damage right at the very start, which gives a clear indication that nobody is safe in this new reality. But it quickly comes down to a DC version of Civil War, with Team Superman (which is basically him and Wonder Woman) and Team Batman (everyone else who sticks around… which isn’t that many), with assorted deaths, injuries and not quite so shocking changes of side. Once Ra’s Al Ghul becomes involved, we’re into something that feels bog standard superhero territory ending with what feels rather a cop out.

Justin Hartley gives a different side to the Man of Steel, while Anson Mount’s Batman is perhaps more conflicted than can often be shown. Gillian Jacobs is the standout of the rest of the cast as Harley. The animation is often quite simplistic, but effective.

The Blu-ray contains a behind the scenes documentary which wasn’t on the DVD sent for review.

Verdict: Great potential for drama is squandered. 6/10

Paul Simpson