In 2009, Warner Brothers released its fifth installment in their DC Universe Animated Original Movies series. The movie, Green Lantern: First Flight, was a direct to DVD animated movie written by Alan Burnett and Michael Allen, whilst being directed by Lauren Montgomery.
Whilst the movie as a whole is in fact an origins story for the Emerald Knight, most of it was already brought forth in another animated movie entitled Justice League: The New Frontier. Because of this, Montgomery admits, they condensed the whole character arc of Jordan overcoming himself to become a hero for the greater good.
This means that there isn’t all that much character development going on for our main character, Hal Jordan. However, this doesn’t mean that the guy stays a blank slate. It keeps the man a mystery whilst still showing us how he really is via his actions and behavior throughout the movie.
The main story of the movie revolves around the conflict that arose because of how Hal Jordan obtained his powers, and how this conflict is used by another party to further their goals in their fight against The Guardians, an immortal race that uses the Green Element to feed the Green Lantern Battery and maintain their group of peacekeepers. Resulting in a final fight that will ring familiar to anyone who knows something about the Green Lantern universe.
Whilst the main villain of the day should be obvious to everyone who can either read the subtitles or hear the audio, the rest of the story is well put together to at least hide what happens throughout. And, after doing some research, there is a plot twist in this movie that should even be a shock to those who are avid fans of the series.
At the end of the day, this isn’t your run of the mill superhero movie, as there are several moments that are pretty damn dark. A few deaths for example are quite graphic in nature and the implied death of many others is just as gruesome.
As stated previously, character arcs aren’t exactly this movie’s greatest strength. Whilst on the other hand, characterization is something that comes quite easily. Many of the more forward Green Lanterns like The Guardians, Kilowog and Sinestro, are given very distinct personalities and are fun to watch whilst on screen. Well, Sinestro maybe not so much.
In regards to the quality of the animation, it’s safe to say that it is definitely up to par with other of DC’s titles such as Superman: Doomsday and many of the Batman movies. The animation could be said to be an upgrade in quality from the Justice League animated series. When the animation really shines is when there are action scenes. These scenes are well animated, directed and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Setting the bar once again, DC provides a slew of actors and actresses that never seem to fumble the ball and deliver a performance that is solid throughout the line. The biggest star of the bunch is Michael Madsen, a magnificent actor who here plays the role of Kilowog. Whilst the other actors and actresses might be known better by face, that doesn’t mean that they are any less talented.
The music can be both bombastic and epic as smooth and in the background. Not once does the music really stand out because of how present it is or how bad it is. Not that the music was ever bad. It’s just there to enhance the experience, which it does fantastically well.
When you look at this movie when the credits roll by, you can’t help but think that in the end, this was one fantastic movie. What it did, it did right. And what it didn’t do, was barely missed. In the beginning you might think that they might have gone deeper in to Hal Jordan’s origins a bit more, as he seems to be a natural born Lantern from the first second. But, when you look at what might have been cut, you’re glad they cut that part short.
10/10
This means that there isn’t all that much character development going on for our main character, Hal Jordan. However, this doesn’t mean that the guy stays a blank slate. It keeps the man a mystery whilst still showing us how he really is via his actions and behavior throughout the movie.
The main story of the movie revolves around the conflict that arose because of how Hal Jordan obtained his powers, and how this conflict is used by another party to further their goals in their fight against The Guardians, an immortal race that uses the Green Element to feed the Green Lantern Battery and maintain their group of peacekeepers. Resulting in a final fight that will ring familiar to anyone who knows something about the Green Lantern universe.
Whilst the main villain of the day should be obvious to everyone who can either read the subtitles or hear the audio, the rest of the story is well put together to at least hide what happens throughout. And, after doing some research, there is a plot twist in this movie that should even be a shock to those who are avid fans of the series.
At the end of the day, this isn’t your run of the mill superhero movie, as there are several moments that are pretty damn dark. A few deaths for example are quite graphic in nature and the implied death of many others is just as gruesome.
As stated previously, character arcs aren’t exactly this movie’s greatest strength. Whilst on the other hand, characterization is something that comes quite easily. Many of the more forward Green Lanterns like The Guardians, Kilowog and Sinestro, are given very distinct personalities and are fun to watch whilst on screen. Well, Sinestro maybe not so much.
In regards to the quality of the animation, it’s safe to say that it is definitely up to par with other of DC’s titles such as Superman: Doomsday and many of the Batman movies. The animation could be said to be an upgrade in quality from the Justice League animated series. When the animation really shines is when there are action scenes. These scenes are well animated, directed and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Setting the bar once again, DC provides a slew of actors and actresses that never seem to fumble the ball and deliver a performance that is solid throughout the line. The biggest star of the bunch is Michael Madsen, a magnificent actor who here plays the role of Kilowog. Whilst the other actors and actresses might be known better by face, that doesn’t mean that they are any less talented.
The music can be both bombastic and epic as smooth and in the background. Not once does the music really stand out because of how present it is or how bad it is. Not that the music was ever bad. It’s just there to enhance the experience, which it does fantastically well.
When you look at this movie when the credits roll by, you can’t help but think that in the end, this was one fantastic movie. What it did, it did right. And what it didn’t do, was barely missed. In the beginning you might think that they might have gone deeper in to Hal Jordan’s origins a bit more, as he seems to be a natural born Lantern from the first second. But, when you look at what might have been cut, you’re glad they cut that part short.
10/10
In brightest day, in blackest night,
No evil shall escape my sight.
Let those who worship evil's might,
Beware my power... Green Lantern's light!
No evil shall escape my sight.
Let those who worship evil's might,
Beware my power... Green Lantern's light!
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