The Movie
In this latest direct-to-video DC Comics animated feature film, test pilot Hal Jordan suddenly finds himself the newest recruit of the Green Lantern Corps, an elite intergalactic police force based on the faraway planet of Oa. Turns out that humans don't have the best reputation beyond Earth, so he's taken under the wing of a hard-edged veteran named Sinestro, and considering that monicker I don't think I'm giving away too much here when I say that friend eventually becomes foe.
Fortunately for Hal, all GL's are armed with a mighty, versatile (and mighty versatile) power ring, capable of shaping energy however the wearer commands. Despite the deliberate PG-13 harshness, this classic tale from the DC canon--updated for modern audiences--is tremendous fun, and a must-own for fans.
The Picture
The 1.78:1 image has more of that telltale computer-generated look than past DC Comics animation, which even after the shift away from cel animation convincingly simulated it digitally. There is a pleasing purity to the images however, even in more stylized, anime-like shots, with strong colors that go beyond any comic book that I've read. From start to finish there are all manner of green glows on display, but ironically there is very little ringing.
This might be the first Warner Blu-ray I've come across that has a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack only, thus ending any confusion with Dolby Digital default tracks. The movie starts with a bang, rather a magnificent crash sequence, with debris and rubble in the surrounds plus a powerful bass presence throughout, and surprising low-end kick. Wild 360-degree energy effects envelop us, as do voices from the circular-seated council on Oa. The directionality of flying people and things is outstanding, the trebly pinging of a dropped ring is absolutely delicious, and the battles just seem to get bigger and more sonically thrilling.
The Extras
The ample video extras--all presented in HD--leverage both the awesome Warner Bros. film and animation catalog and the incredible pool of talent over at DC Comics. "Green Lantern: Behind the Story with Geoff Johns" is a terrific primer hosted by the popular comic book scribe, while "Blackest Night: Inside the DC Comics Event" previews the upcoming conclusion to Johns' GL trilogy (nine minutes each). A pair of "In Brightest Day, In Blackest Night: The Green Lantern Corps" vignettes educate us on "Sinestro" and "The Guardians of the Universe" (four minutes each). We're also teased with a preview of the next DC Comics animated feature, in "A First Look at Superman/Batman: Public Enemies," based on the recent Jeph Loeb/Ed McGuinness story arc (eight minutes).
One of the biggest surprises here is an appropriately-themed 22-minute episode of the younger-skewing comedy series Duck Dodgers, "The Green Loontern," wherein Duck finds the suit and ring, and crosses paths with some now-familiar faces. Up next are producer "Bruce Timm's Top Picks: Green Lantern," five 23-minute episodes of Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, all Lantern-centric, compared to the two on the DVD version of First Flight. Exclusive to this Blu-ray is "I Am the Ring," a 22-and-a-half-minute cross-cultural study of the symbolism of the talisman, including many clips from other WB titles and interviews with true luminaries such as Neal Adams, my favorite comic book artist of all time.
Final Thoughts
With a live-action Ryan Reynolds movie just announced, Green Lantern is a good hero to get to know. And beyond the movie, the mini-documentaries and additional animation go a long way to giving us the whole green story.
Where to Buy:
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