‘Justice League vs. Teen Titans’ packs in more fun than that other ‘versus’ movie

Justice League vs. Teen Titans

Warner Bros., $19.98; Blu-ray, $24.98

DC Comics fans who feel bummed-out about the overwrought violence and moodiness of “Batman v Superman” should know that they have alternatives. The TV versions of DC heroes (like “The Flash” and “Supergirl”) are still great fun, and DC’s direct-to-video animated movies continue to be some of the truest comics-to-screen adaptations around. The latest, “Justice League vs. Teen Titans,” properly introduces the latter group to this series after years of the youthful super-team being mostly consigned to goofy cartoon shorts. Using the arrogant Robin’s demotion from the League to the Titans as a jumping-off point, the movie weaves multiple pieces of DC lore into a story that involves international criminal organizations and the world-conquering demon known as Trigon. “Justice League vs. Teen Titans” covers as much ground as that other “versus” movie in half the time and with a greater sense of adventure and heroism. The DVD and Blu-ray add Titans-related featurettes.

Jackie Robinson

PBS, $24.99; Blu-ray, $29.99

Documentarian and PBS pledge-drive favorite Ken Burns has already covered the life of athlete-activist Jackie Robinson fairly extensively in his miniseries “Baseball,” but for his new, four-hour film, Burns takes an even deeper dive. Making great use of extensive interviews with Robinson’s widow, Rachel, Burns ranges well beyond the story of how the Brooklyn Dodger became the first African American to play in the major leagues. “Jackie Robinson” also tackles its subject’s stellar stint at UCLA, his military service in World War II, his life with Rachel and his post-baseball career as a businessman and civil rights spokesperson. As has been the network’s habit, PBS is making a “Jackie Robinson” DVD and Blu-ray edition — complete with a bonus Burns interview — available simultaneously with the program’s broadcast debut.

Grace and Frankie: Season One

Universal, $29.98

The Netflix original plays like a raunchy, grown-up version of the kind of sitcoms that co-creator Marta Kauffman helped steer in the early 1990s, when she worked on the likes of “Friends” and “Veronica’s Closet.” The major difference is the quality of the cast, led by Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as a classic odd couple — one career-driven, one free-spirited — forced to live together when their husbands announce they’ve been involved in a gay affair with each other for decades. Sam Waterston and Martin Sheen play the husbands, and the four actors’ chemistry and timing helps sell some old-fashioned jokes about culture clashes in a changing California.

Only Angels Have Wings

Criterion Blu-ray, $39.95

This true original from the golden age of the Hollywood studio system stars Jean Arthur as a wayward cabaret performer who becomes fascinated by the daring mail-pilots holed up in a funky South American town. Cary Grant plays a callous flyboy who teaches her about this peculiar fraternity of men who don’t seem to care if they live or die as long as they make a buck. Writer-director-producer Howard Hawks based “Only Angels Have Wings” on characters he’d met during his youth as a mechanic and aviator, and he tried to honor their bravery and eccentricity without squeezing them into some contrived melodrama. For a film released in 1939, it feels unusually personal and even modern. The Criterion Collection has done a typically fine job with its new Blu-ray edition, supplementing a masterpiece with new and old interviews, plus a short documentary about Hawks’ lifelong fascination with flying.

And…

The Forest

Universal, $29.98; Blu-ray, $34.98

Available on VOD Tuesday

Heroes Reborn

Universal, $44.98; Blu-ray, $49.98

Standoff

Lionsgate, $19.98; Blu-ray, $24.99

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