Whoever thought that a one-off lark like JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time would have more entertainment value than a superhero movie of a supposedly higher profile? Recently, I reviewed Son of Batman, a "prestige" animated feature from DC Comics that aimed to continue what the publishing giant hoped would be a cinematic universe with its cartoon characters. But in trying to spread the appeal to include a grown-up fanbase, it became an exercise in dour self-importance (an impressive feat, considering it's, y'know, Batman). In contrast, JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time is small potatoes, running just 52 minutes and made almost solely with the little ones in mind. But in that short amount of time, you'd be hard-pressed to find a single moment that feels more occupied with putting on a mature front rather than giving its viewers the fast-paced humor and action they came to see.
 
Their names are eternal. Their deeds are legendary. Their powers are super. They're the Justice League, a team consisting of history's greatest crimefighters. As our story begins, Batman (voice of Diedrich Bader), Superman (voice of Peter Jessop), Wonder Woman (voice of Grey DeLisle Griffin), and crew are foiling the Legion of Doom's latest attempts to rule the world. Their efforts succeed, landing ringleader Lex Luthor (voice of Fred Tatasciore) stuck in a frozen sleep lasting far into the 31st century. But when fledgling superfolk Karate Kid (voice of Dante Basco) and Dawnstar (voice of Laura Bailey) stumble upon his icy prison, they inadvertently wake the fiend, who immediately sets into motion a diabolical plan to strike back at the Justice League. Taking control of the Time Trapper (voice of Corey Burton), a strange being with command over time itself, Lex heads back into the past, on a mission to prevent the League from ever existing. With their heroes' lives on the line, Dawnstar and Karate Kid give chase, determined to stop Lex and make sure that some of the world's best heroes still meet up.
 
JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time hits the ground running like the Flash and barely gives itself a chance to look back. It's best described as an extended episode of a TV series that isn't real, yet should DC choose to go ahead with one, it'd make a heck of a pilot. The movie jumps right into the action, assuming that viewers have long since familiarized themselves with the ensemble and each superfriend's background. This isn't the place to come to for a glimpse into the inner machinations of these characters; no speeches on the hardships of being a hero are made, and no League member's history is really dwelled upon (save for Superman, whose childhood is a vital part of the story). There's simply too much gravity to be defied, jokes to be cracked, and baddies to be clonked around for JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time to get all serious about itself.

Sure, this means settling for a simplistic and straightforward plot, but at least it's one that knows when to end and how to exploit the time travel hook well. The heroes look great (even if Jessop is a touch too stiff as Superman), we get to see villains who aren't dusted off that often (Bizarro, Captain Cold, etc.), and the animation is very fluid. Dawnstar and Karate Kid are kind of whiny on the outset, but they prove themselves to be valuable support to the League, and the Time Trapper comes across as quite the ominous, enigmatic challenge for them to overcome.
 
I've seen others deem JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time a glorified toy commercial; if this is the case, then it's one of the coolest ads I've seen yet. The premise is just your average "good guys versus bad guys" plot, jazzed up with some time paradox stuff, but the action engages, the pacing moves along almost perfectly, and the humor is self-aware without feeling too condescending. The appeal of JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time lies with its simplicity, making it flat-out fun to watch for both the smallest of super-fans to the most seasoned of comic aficionados.

(Released by Warner Brothers Pictures and rated "PG" by MPAA.)