James Gunn’s ‘Creature Commandos’ Proves the DCU Is on the Right Track

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  • Great Reviews Build for a Solid Foundation in the DCU
  • Great DC Characters That Fans Want to Follow Into More Stories

As a lifelong comic book enthusiast who has spent countless hours poring over DC titles, I must say that “Creature Commandos” is a breath of fresh air for the DC Universe. Unlike some previous attempts at bringing these characters to life, this series doesn’t rely on iconography or themes alone; it delves deep into character development, creating figures that fans can genuinely care about.

As a movie critic, I must say that diving into “Creature Commandos” feels like embarking on a fresh chapter in the world of DC. This isn’t merely an animated series spun from a DC Comic, airing on Max; it’s the inaugural step in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s vision for the DC Universe (DCU).

The long-awaited series, Creature Commandos, has lived up to expectations, garnering a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 24 reviews. From the initial two episodes, it appears that Creature Commandos is poised for success in the DC Universe. This series, critically acclaimed and creatively free to grow, distinguishes itself from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and numerous other shared universes thanks to a bold creative decision.

Great Reviews Build for a Solid Foundation in the DCU

A favorable reception for Creature Commandos is a promising indication for the franchise’s future. Contrastingly, the initial DC Extended Universe (DCEU) began with ‘Man of Steel,’ which garnered a mixed response with a 57% score on Rotten Tomatoes. This is not as robust a starting point as the MCU’s ‘Iron Man,’ which boasts an impressive 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. The DCEU faced challenges right from the start, as the subsequent films, ‘Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice’ and ‘Suicide Squad,’ received poor ratings with scores of 29% and 26%, respectively.

In the DCEU, it wasn’t until the release of Wonder Woman, scoring a remarkable 93%, that they earned their first critical acclaim. Following this, the journey was diverse, with films like Aquaman, Shazam, Birds of Prey, and The Suicide Squad receiving positive reviews. However, Justice League, Wonder Woman 1984, Black Adam, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom did not fare as well, garnering negative feedback instead.

It remains uncertain how future projects within the DCU will be received, but the upcoming series “Creature Commandos” is off to a strong beginning. Since James Gunn’s other DC adaptations garnered high ratings (90% for “The Suicide Squad” and 93% for “Peacemaker”), it appears that he is skillfully handling the Superman character. The main question lies in whether upcoming projects not directed by James Gunn, such as “Lanterns” and “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” can continue this successful trend. However, “Creature Commandos” provides an engaging foundation for future filmmakers to expand upon, as it introduces a diverse cast of DC Universe characters.

A Lived in DC Universe in ‘Creature Commandos’

Initially, what sets Creature Commandos apart from series like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Monsterverse franchise, or previous DCEU is that it immerses viewers directly into a fully-realized world populated by superpowered beings. Unlike initial movies in other cinematic universes, such as Iron Man, Man of Steel, and Godzilla, which begin in settings similar to our own, the storyline in this film immediately introduces a broader universe that incorporates more fantastical elements as the central focus.

In these initial installments, it appears as though they’re set in ordinary worlds without supernatural elements. However, subsequent films within each franchise would reveal events with extraordinary occurrences preceding the first movie. For instance, the Marvel Cinematic Universe introduces characters like Captain America and Captain Marvel, while DC Extended Universe features Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984, and the MonsterVerse presents Kong: Skull Island. These early films, however, provide more realistic foundations for character origins, serving as a smooth introduction to their respective cinematic universes for audiences.

Creature Commandos follows a similar strategy as Star Wars by immersing viewers into a fully-realized universe with a rich backstory, much like classic sci-fi serials such as Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon did. This approach was inspired by those influential shows, as they were designed to be watched episode by episode, requiring viewers who missed an installment to catch up in the following one.

In essence, Comic books share a common approach, and Creature Commandos embodies that spirit within the DC Universe. Typically, readers don’t start with the first issue of a series, and even when they do, they find themselves in a world with a rich history and continuity. Creature Commandos feels like diving into a DC Comic that centers around a main team while subtly referencing a broader universe. This unique approach to a superhero franchise and cinematic universe is quite invigorating. Instead of stepping into a replica of our world, this is an alternate universe brimming with history waiting to be uncovered. It offers more intriguing possibilities than merely having all famous DC characters emerge at the same time and their origin stories retold.

Great DC Characters That Fans Want to Follow Into More Stories

Without a doubt, what stands out most about Creature Commandos is its captivating ensemble of characters. In merely two episodes, Gunn has skillfully crafted intriguing personas and hinted at enthralling relationships. Each character emerges as distinct, while their backstories promise to add depth and nuance to these intriguing individuals. Doctor Phosphorus exudes an evil aura but maintains a quirky sense of humor. G.I. Robot and Nina Mazursky have already established a bond that could be interpreted as friendship or even a budding romance, through their brief interactions. The Bride comes across as cynical, yet the glimpses into her past offer an unexpected perspective that enriches her character in intriguing ways.

In upcoming tales, fans are sure to be drawn to these well-crafted characters we have here, as they were instrumental in the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The secret lies in creating compelling characters and transforming them into heroes that viewers will want to root for in future productions. Iron Man was a resounding success due to many factors, but Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Tony Stark particularly stood out. The Guardians of the Galaxy franchise took off because audiences developed an affection for these characters, even though their comic book counterparts were not particularly well-liked beforehand.

In contrast to the DCEU, it focused more on symbolism and motifs, banking on audiences’ prior affection for these characters to carry much of the narrative weight. However, films like Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, being the second in the DCEU, presented an audience with a Batman they barely knew or cared about, struggling against a Superman they had just met. Contrastingly, Creature Commandos couldn’t rely on audiences’ familiarity with these characters; it needed to build them up from scratch. Within only two episodes, these became characters that fans would eagerly anticipate seeing alongside Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and others. It seems that Creature Commandos has provided a strong foundation for the DCU. You can watch Creature Commandos on Max.

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2024-12-07 01:32