Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons: The Movie
| Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons - The Movie | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | Sung Jin Ahn |
| Written by | J. M. DeMatteis |
| Based on | Deathstroke by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez |
| Produced by | |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Kevin Riepl |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Home Entertainment |
Release date |
|
Running time | 87 minutes[2] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons - The Movie is an American direct-to-video adult animated superhero film based on the CW Seed series Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons, produced by Warner Bros. Animation, and distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.[3] It was released digitally on August 4, 2020 and on Blu-ray on August 18.[4]
Plot
Following an accident, Slade Wilson is saved by an experimental drug from which he develops super strength, enhanced agility, and regeneration. He decides to use these new abilities to become the mercenary "Deathstroke" with the help of his friend William Wintergreen. Slade then marries general Adeline "Addie" Kane. Together, they have a son named Joseph. While on a mission in Cambodia, Deathstroke meets Lillian, a woman who he falls in love with. Unbeknownst to Slade, after he completes his mission and leaves, Lillian gives birth to Rose, a girl who becomes orphaned after her mother dies in a hit and run. Rose lives alone until she is rescued by Jackal, the mysterious leader of a secret organization known as H.I.V.E. He trains her to one day become his successor. Jackal later kidnaps Joseph. Slade returns home from a mission abroad and finds Addie, angered after discovering about his secret life as an assassin. Slade promises to bring back Joseph and hunts down Jackal at his base of operations. There, Deathstroke is confronted by Jackal's agents Bronze Tiger and an unnamed woman. In the ensuing fight, Slade kills the woman, cuts Tiger's arm off and heads to kill Jackal. Just before Slade can rescue Joseph, his throat is sliced, making him mute. After Joseph becomes hospitalized, Addie breaks up with Slade. She then isolates Joseph at a private school to hide him from Slade.
Ten years later, Slade continues operating as Deathstroke. One night, he is contacted by the H.I.V.E. Queen - H.I.V.E.'s new leader - who has Joseph hostage for his psychic abilities, which he inherited from Slade. This reunites him with Adeline, who wants to join Slade in the rescue mission but he is reluctant. Before Slade leaves, Adeline shares a kiss with him. Slade's hunt for the Queen leads him to Colonel Kapoor, a former agent of H.I.V.E. Kapoor's intel takes Slade to Kaznia where he confronts Tiger, now a freelancer. In the ensuing battle, Tiger reveals that Jackal is alive and the Queen is located at the Kerguelen Islands. Wintergreen takes Slade there. Upon his arrival, he is attacked by Sandra Woosan / Lady Shiva. Slade surrenders and is taken to the Queen. The Queen reveals she had trained Joseph to use his abilities as a weapon known as "Jericho". Slade rescues Joseph, who reveals he has joined H.I.V.E. as Jericho. The Queen is actually Slade's daughter Rose; Joseph's sister. Slade is shot into the ocean, but, using his regeneration powers, he refuses to die. Addie fishes him out, revealing she had placed a tracking device through the kiss they shared earlier. Slade reveals his affair with Lillian to Addie. Rose informs Jackal about Slade's supposed death, pleasing him. During training, Jericho's powers become out of control, but Rose stops him. Slade, Addie, and Wintergreen discover H.I.V.E.'s plan to use Jericho's abilities to control the world.
Jackal conducts a series of coordinated attacks across the United States to lure the president out. While boarding a H.I.V.E plane, Rose and Jericho betray Jackal, realizing he had manipulated them into becoming rogue. In the ensuing fight, they discover Jackal's suit is designed to repel Joseph's psychic attacks. Slade and Addie then board the plane and confront Jackal and Shiva. Shiva holds Rose and Jericho hostage. Slade heads to fight Jackal while Addie fights Shiva, who Rose manages to kill. During this fight, it is revealed that the woman who Slade killed while rescuing Joseph years ago was Jackal's daughter. That is why he took Slade's children under his wing. Jackal shoots at Slade with his armor's powers, but Slade redirects the blast, leaving an opening in the plane. Slade and Jackal fall out of it. While falling, Slade places a bomb on Jackal, killing them both.
Back home, Jericho starts to reminisce about his father, while Addie officially welcomes Rose into the Wilson family. At a beach elsewhere, Slade's body is washed up and appears to still be alive.
Cast
- Michael Chiklis as Slade Wilson / Deathstroke[5]
- Sasha Alexander as Adeline "Addie" Kane[5]
- Chris Jai Alex as Jackal[5]
- Faye Mata as H.I.V.E. Queen / Rose[5]
- Griffin Puatu as Joseph Wilson / Jericho[5]
- Asher Bishop as Young Joseph Wilson[5]
- Imari Williams as President Nicholas[5]
- Colin Salmon as William Wintergreen[5]
- Delbert Hunt as Bronze Tiger[5]
- Panta Mosleh as Lady Shiva[5]
- Noshir Dalal as Kapoor[5]
- Castulo Guerra as General Suarez[5]
- Minae Noji as Secretary of State and Bora[5]
Production
The film was originally announced as a 12-part series in April 2019, written by J.M. DeMatteis and directed by Sung Jin Ahn. The voice cast was also revealed.[6] The first episode aired on CW Seed on January 6, 2020, but subsequent episodes never appeared.
The film version of the story was released on August 4 the same year, on Blu-ray and digital platforms with the same voice cast from the series.
Reception
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 80% based on 10 reviews, with an average rating of 5.9/10.[7]
Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons earned $4,012,097 from domestic Blu-ray sales.[8]
References
- ^ DEATHSTROKE: KNIGHTS & DRAGONS – THE MOVIE COMES TO HOMES IN AUGUST | Graphic Policy
- ^ Trailer: 'Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons' Strikes Home Vid in August | Animation Magazine
- ^ Deathstroke Animated Movie Unloads First Full Trailer | CBR
- ^ Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons Blu-ray
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m DC animated movie Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons announced with trailer and cover art
- ^ Burlingame, Russ (April 10, 2019). "First Look at CW Seed's Michael Chiklis-Led Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons". Comicbook.com. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ "Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
- ^ "Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons (2020) The Numbers Listing". The Numbers. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
External links
- Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons: The Movie at IMDb
