Green Lantern: First Flight Review

Now before I begin, I'd like to let you know 2 things.

1. This review will be of the single disc edition of the film. I won't be able to get too deep into the special features as there weren't all that many.

2. There will be spoilers. I'm not going to give everything away and reunion the movie, but certain things need to be addressed in order to review this film honestly, for you, my devoted readers.

For starters, if you aren't familiar with The Green Lantern Corps I will give you a small background. The Corps was founded at The Guardians of the Universe. For the purpose of this we will go with the backstory that the film provided. The Guardians harnessed the power of the "green element," the greatest power in the universe, to create the Green Lantern battery. However, the battery has a flaw: the color yellow, the one part of the light spectrum that can resist green. The most concentrated source of yellow energy, the "yellow element," was hidden by the Guardians to prevent others from using it against them.

The film tells the tale of Hal Jordan, a test pilot who was chosen by the dying Abin Sur to replace him in the coveted intergalactic police force. The story is one of deception, redemption and the power of humanity.

It has all the characters a good Hal Jordan story should, Sinestro, Kilowog, and a huge cast of Green Lantern Corps members. Sinestro starts off as a trusted member of the Corps only to defy the Guardians and turn on them. At a point where Sinestro framed Jordan for something he did not do and was about to be sent home, we see that Sinestro is not alone. This is also, by far, one of the bloodiest DC Universe animated features that I have ever seen. Watch it and you'll see what I mean.

The ending of this film has one of the best light displays I've seen in a long time in the battle between Sinestro and Jordan. I've done enough pointing out the GOOD parts of the film, time for me to point out some of the negative aspects.

The Guardians are too nice. In the comic, the Guardians are down right prickish. During the course of the film they gave in too easy, and even when they did have to get their own way, it was almost like a nagging parent, not someone who was in charge of an intergalactic police force.

Also, there are no individual power batteries. Something that is rather important in the comics. You don't hear the oath until the end of the film in a rather cheesy display. You'll see what I mean.

The cast is rather star studded as well. Featuing Law & Order: SVU's Christopher Meloni as the hero Hal Jordan, Victor Garber as Sinestro, Michael Madsen as Kilowog and Battlestar Galactica's Tricia Helfer as Boodikka.

I highly suggest that you check out this film. It is DC's animation at its best and the story is a fresh new take on the origin of a now iconic character.