Review of The League A Short Film

The League

A Short Film

I’d first heard about this, when Kyle Higgins was on Fatman on Batman. I was intrigued and wanted to check it out. He Directed, co wrote, and was the sound designer on the film. The Cast includes Paul Papadakis, Rick Cramer, Reginald James, and more. It’s a very well made short film.

The film starts out with a narration all about the city of Chicago, and it’s threat of super villain crime. Where heroes are overworked and underpaid. I can definitely see the influences Kyle Higgins had in penning the script. It is very reminiscent of 1966 Batman, and DC heroes in general. It tells the story of The League Of Heroes wanting to expand nationally. The Grey Raven’s arch nemesis The Dart seems to have returned after a decade, and there have been murders all over the city in the past two weeks. The Dart seems to be hunting down villains. Could it really be him though?

I love the direction Kyle uses in the film, and it makes me think of what this kind of story would have been like in the old days. The acting is all very well done, and the effects are interesting. I really enjoyed the burning ripping film effect, to transition from the old times with the league of heroes to the current timeline. I thought that was a unique way to transition. Most shorts aren’t twenty seven minutes long, but I see this as telling a superhero story and the timing fits very well. I don’t think this story could have been this good with less time.

The acting is very good, even if I haven’t heard of any of the people in the film. Each role is unique, yet you can relate it to current day heroes. Obviously The Grey Raven is supposed to be a Batman type of character, The Sparrow/The Wraith is a Dick Grayson, Robin, Nightwing type. So viewers will see connections to heroes that they know.

The music is very of the time, and fits so well. I also love all the sound effects that are used. Specifically with The Blue Blaze and Eclipse, the sound effects for their powers are just wonderful and what you’d expect. I actually watched this twice it’s that good!!!

Final Thoughts:

If you like noir style stories, and superhero classics check this film out. It’s an interesting take on Superheroes living in a very blu collar world. I can’t wait to see what other short films Kyle puts together in the future. Of course that would have to be when he’s not too busy penning stories of Nightwing! You can get The League on iTunes, trust me it’s worth it!!!

Overall Score: 10/10