The long-awaited Injustice movie is finally here. Ever since fans saw this what-if story in NetherRealm's fighting games, they've been shocked and awed by this alternate take on the DC Universe. In this continuity, the Joker tricks Superman into killing Lois Lane and destroying Metropolis. The grief-stricken Man of Steel then heads a totalitarian regime to make sure nothing like this ever happens again. In response, Batman starts an underground resistance movement, dividing the Justice League and coming to blows with his former friend.
Both the movie and the games keep this premise and the authoritarian themes that go with it. However, the film has taken several liberties with the story. Most of these simply serve to condense the admittedly silly tale to fit a feature-length runtime, but some changes come completely out of the blue and may rub fans the wrong way.
10 New Voices
The game's cast was mostly comprised of voiceover veterans. Many of them were the definitive voices for these characters from the DCAU: George Newbern as Superman, Kevin Conroy as Batman, and Susan Eisenberg as Wonder Woman.
The movie cast counters this with a collection of new voices like Justin Hartley, Anson Mount, and Janet Varney. These guys are mainly screen actors with only a handful of voiceover credits to their names, and they're all new to their respective characters. They do a fine job; it just takes some getting used to.
9 The Flash Dies...
The film hits fans with a bombshell right off the bat. While trying to stop the Joker's evil scheme, the Flash falls for one of the clownish crook's traps, getting decapitated in the process. No comic book resurrections here; he's dead and gone for the rest of the movie.
The Scarlet Speedster is a pivotal hero in both Injustice games, defecting from Superman's side and aiding Batman at several points. Considering his role there, axing him at all is a perplexing choice, let alone doing it this early.
8 ...To Make Room For New Characters
One potential reason for offing the Flash (and sidelining other noteworthy Leaguers) is to spotlight fresher characters. Mr. Terrific and Plastic Man come into play at various points, the former for his intellect and the latter for his infiltration skills.
These guys weren't in either of the games. Nevertheless, they are integral to Batman's plans here. Superman also uses Mr. Terrific's T-spheres to spy on the world a la Big Brother, which is admittedly logical for his goals. It's not like these characters' presence doesn't make sense, but it's no less odd.
7 Superman's Downfall
In the games, it's understandable for Superman to want radical change after suffering such a tremendous loss. However, his turn is akin to flipping a switch. Right after killing the Joker, he goes straight to Arkham Asylum and targets the other inmates. He then ushers in his new regime with seemingly no qualms about killing anyone else.
The film's depiction is much more gradual. Superman attempts to preserve his nonviolent tactics for a time, but increasing resistance from world leaders, other Leaguers, and even civilians drives him to more drastic measures. Each setback sends him further down the dictatorial path. This infuses more humanity into his tragedy and makes it more believable as a result.
6 Wonder Woman's Character Arc
At the outset, Wonder Woman appears to fill the same role she did in the games. Specifically, she's the warrior whispering in Superman's ear and encouraging his further conquest. If humans cause such widespread destruction, then why shouldn't the heroes control them? On a side note, she also tries to be the rebound romance after Lois. Even she draws the line somewhere, though.
That line becomes clear when the Man of Steel crashes a club of young Joker loyalists. There's a big difference between eliminating dangerous criminals and slaughtering impressionable kids. When Superman later turns his sights on his former allies--even after they saved his life--she breaks from him completely. This is a far cry from the games' Wonder Woman, set in her ways to the point of villainy.
5 Catwoman Is Always On Batman's Side
This feline thief always had an on/off relationship with both the law and the Dark Knight. As such, it was bizarre seeing her join Superman's regime in the first game. Thankfully, she later redeems herself in the sequel, acting as Batman's spy in Gorilla Grodd's group.
The movie skips this shift, positioning her as an invaluable ally for the Caped Crusader. In fact, she's a source of emotional support after Nightwing's death. What's more is that Superman prompts this, knowing his old friend needs someone to lean on. Once again, it humanizes these heroes more than before.
4 Damian Feels Bad?
Batman's son was raised by the League of Assassins. As such, he's trained to kill his enemies without mercy. The Dark Knight has tried to show him a brighter future as Robin with varying degrees of success. Unfortunately, those lessons don't quite sink in during this tale. Not only does Damian join Superman, but he offs the Dark Knight's original ward, Nightwing.
He feels no remorse for his actions in the games, but the movie tells it differently. The miniature murder machine doesn't even kill Nightwing on purpose, and he's visibly broken up about it after the fact. That regret leads him to see the error of his ways and eventually reconcile with his adoptive brother from the afterlife. It's among the few times Damian Wayne garners any sympathy.
3 Amazo, I Choose You!
Superman killed Lois because Joker's hallucinogen made him see her as Doomsday. It's all the more ironic when he presses the real Doomsday into his service. To strengthen his regime, the former hero brainwashes the monster and turns him into a supersized windup toy. That irony is lost in the film.
Doomsday's not even in the story anymore. Instead, Superman's puppet is Amazo, a robot that can copy the powers of anyone it sees. Of course, it's designed by Ra's al Ghul, so it predictably turns on the Man of Steel. Maybe he should have stuck with Doomsday.
2 Less World-Hopping
The first Injustice game is clearly presented as an Elseworlds tale, with various members of the mainline DC Universe being beamed over to this bleaker version. The second entry downplays this, but it still features the odd hero from another reality--such as Green Arrow and Black Canary--to help rebuild after the regime's rule.
The movie's characters mention the Multiverse in passing, but it doesn't play nearly as big a role. The dystopian story unfolds primarily from the perspective of this universe and its residents. The only exception is in the climax. First, the more heroic Superman comes to combat his twisted counterpart. Then, a pregnant Lois from yet another universe arrives to talk some sense into her fallen lover. Aside from that, the multidimensional madness is kept to a minimum.
1 Superman Surrenders
The use of the Multiverse here also changes the ending. Lois relates how her Superman cherished life and would have been repulsed by the regime's actions. She asks how many people the Man of Steel must kill in the name of "peace." Hearing these words from the woman he loves--the one he's doing all of this for--gives him some much-needed perspective. Superman then renounces his mission and throws himself at the heroes' mercy.
Suffice it to say, he doesn't go as peacefully in the game. His heroic doppelganger leads a final assault on the regime, eventually battling the misguided Man of Steel and placing him in a red sun prison. You've got to give players a final boss, especially in a fighting game. In hindsight, however, one wonders why the characters didn't bring Lois in from the start.