I finally got around to purchasing and watching the latest Justice League animated movie, Justice League: The New Frontier . I enjoyed it, but had the eerie suspicion that this direct-to-DVD movie was made for someone twelve years younger than me.
The problem with any film involving the league (pay attention, Warner Bros.) is that there are so many incredible characters and just not enough screen time for all of them. To put a thought-provoking, action-packed story with the comic icons of the DC universe is no easy task (trust me, I pretend to be a writer). To The New Frontier’s credit, each major hero does have an equally important part in the story. The bad news is that it’s just not enough to fully satiate us hardcore JLA groupies. And while Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Martian Manhunter, and Green Lantern are adequately represented, other heroes such as Aquaman and Green Arrow (who misleadingly adorn the cover) are featured for maybe a minute.
But I’m still being unfair; the movie does a great job of bringing us back to the golden age of comics. The character designs and settings inspired by beloved artist/writer/animator Darwyn Cooke are truly unique and worthy of praise. I also love the origin story for Green Lantern. I’m a huge Hal Jordan fan and seeing his story unfold was definitely a highlight. The main plot itself, however, has some messy issues that aren’t fully resolved by the movie’s end.
I still have some special features to watch with my two disc special edition copy (which comes with a free Green Lantern action figure!), so there may be some more surprises left for me. Justice League: The New Frontier earns three batarangs out of five.
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 1