Green Lantern: First
Flight
(2009/Warner Premiere DVD)
Picture: B
Sound: B- Extras: B Animated
Feature: A+
Fans of Green Lantern have had plenty to crow
about the last two years. DC Comics
Emerald Avenger supports two highly successful monthly comic book series and
has enjoyed the almost runaway success of massive crossover event Blackest Night. Now Green Lantern finally gets the Bruce Timm
treatment, wherein he is made into a simply breath-taking animated feature that
synthesizes his mythos into something altogether new and wonderful. Green
Lantern: First Flight delivers.
This
movie features the Silver Age of Comics Green Lantern, Hal Jordan. His origin is re-told ahead of the opening
credits in tidy fashion. Most of the
action in this feature takes place in deep space. As a new Green Lantern, a member of a Corps
of inter-galactic policemen tasked with keeping order in every sector of the
galaxy (there are 3600 of them!), Hal finds himself taken before the enigmatic
Guardians on the Green Lantern homeworld/base of Oa. There he becomes the pupil of the Corps’ most
successful member, Sinestro. It doesn’t
take Jordan long to figure out that Sinestro has another agenda, and things
move along at a brisk clip from their.
As with
all DC animated productions, this feature is loaded with solid voice talent. Christopher Meloni does great work as the
brash young Hal Jordan, and Michael Madsen is perfect for the gruff alien
Lantern, Kilowog. The animation work in
the film also provides some stunning visuals, and comic fans will not be
disappointed with the Green Lanterns’ use of their vaunted power rings. Giant green boots, slapping hands, closed
fists, fly swatters, and various sports implements abound in stunning fight
scenes that contain some pretty brutal violence. Parents beware, this feature pulls no punches
with a smattering curse words and numerous on-screen deaths.
In a
feature filled with so many incredible visuals, one small thing stands out. The design team re-imagined the Weaponers of
Qward into one of the creepiest, most sinister alien races this side of the
Crab Nebula. Very neat work from Mr.
Timm and crew. This feature provides the
perfect introduction to the Green Lantern stories and characters for new fans,
and offers so much story punch and eye candy for hardcore comic readers that no
one will walk away disappointed.
- Scott R. Pyle
