Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman: Rage of Atlantis

The Lego DC Comics movies are always fun and funny to watch. I was looking forward to Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman: Rage of Atlantis not just for Aquaman (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker), but for the introduction of the newest Green Lantern, Jessica Cruz (Cristina Milizia). She’s both a new character in the movie and the bonus minifigure, available with the movie for a limited time.

(Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a review copy.)

As shouldn’t be surprising, she’s treated as a newbie. She’s unsure of her place in the team, due to her substitute status, which maps well to her personality from the comics, particularly her anxiety. She’s someone easy to relate to, particularly for kids, although her inability is over-stated at times. Plus, her ring kind of fusses at her and keeps score of her actions, which feels like an anxious parent.

When Lobo (Fred Tatasciore) attacks, Aquaman volunteers to help the Justice League. That leaves his undersea kingdom in the hands of his brother, Ocean Master (Trevor Devall), who with the help of Atrocitus (Jonathan Adams) tries to take over. Comic readers will recognize the lead Red Lantern, whose ring runs on rage.

The evil Red Lantern cat Dex-Starr also appears, who wears its ring on its tail. (Where else?) He’s not the only wildlife, with various dolphins popping up throughout.

The plot is obvious — team splits up and fights through challenges, including a trip to another planet, to eventually overcome the attempted coup — so it’s the little touches that amused me. Aquaman has surfer boy hair, with long bangs that flip out at the ends.

Mera (Susan Eisenberg) helps welcome the League to Atlantis and demonstrates her hard water magic. Aquaman gets so tickled when she makes a swimming fishy that his enthusiasm is catching.

An alien bar looks like something out of Star Wars, and the scene involves a fight where one of the participants doesn’t realize it’s a battle.

When Aquaman and Ocean Master are discussing his impending departure, the two chat while swimming, which means they gently kick their little legs behind them. It’s adorable.

Lois Lane (Grey Griffin, who also voices Wonder Woman and Jessica’s ring) gets the best lines: “It seems that Aquaman, inexplicably, is the first of the Justice League to arrive. Despite the fact that we’re in the desert.”

Later, “Pulitzers are never won with good ideas, Jimmy,” says Lois, heading out to talk with Lobo in spite of Olsen’s warning. She also cracks on Lobo for his 80s wardrobe.

Aquaman seems to have been as influenced as much by The Brave and the Bold version as the upcoming movie, with lots of hale and hearty “good fellow” style conversation. And the people of Atlantis sing!

This is a light adventure that may not stick with the viewer in the long run, but plenty of characters working together for justice is a welcome way to spend a little time, particularly for the younger audience. There are no extras, so if you prefer, there’s also a cheaper DVD available.