Sep 09 2008
Justice League: The New Frontier
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.
Stumble It!
I kinda figured with the name of this blog you were a cartoon nut also. I actually had this one reserved before it was released. I’m a huge superhero nutjob. I watch all the old justice league/superfriends reruns on Boomerang and then Justice League unlimited on Cartoon Network. When those go off - I switch to Disney Jetix to watch Spiderman, Batman, Ironman, Incredible Hulk, and X-men. In fact, I just bought the Next Avengers yesterday. I highly recommend that one as well.
Anyway - with regards to the topic here - I haven’t really been able to pinpoint whether this is supposed to be post WWII or Korean War - but - I like the fact they put it in that era.
Well - if we can’t agree on our politics - we can at least agree on our superheros!
I wanted to drop by here and let you know I’ve passed on a blog award to you if you want it. You can pick it up and the rules for passing it on here: http://politicalrants.today.com/2008/09/08/passing-on-the-awards/
hi. i’m such a nerd that i love your site here (and it doesn’t hurt that bats is my favorite, or co-fave along with spider-man).
i did see this movie a few months ago. but i watched it at the same time that i saw the avengers direct-to-dvd. so i’m totally messed up in the head as to what happened in it, except that batman was really cool in it too, despite that stupid grin.