Green Lantern | First Flight
Released: July 21, 2009
Heroes: Hal Jordan, Abin Sur, Kilowog, Tomar-Re, Chaselon, Green Man, Palaqua, Ch'p, Arisia, Salakk, Arkkis Chummuck, Galius Zed, Xax, Isamot Kol, Jeryll, NautKeLoi, Penelops, Princess Iolande, Apros, Oliversity, and 30 Unknown Green Lanterns
Supporting: Carol Ferris, The Guardians of the Universe, Boolywatt, Labella, Weaponers, Oa Guards, and Corps Mortician
Villains: Sinestro, Boodikka, Cuch, Kanjar Ro, Bug Buys, and Lieutenant
Objects: Green Power Ring, Green Battery, Moon Ball, Green Element, Yellow Element, Energi-Rod, Yellow Battery, and Yellow Power Ring
Places: Ferris Aircraft, Coast City, Oa, Cadmendoh, Corps Sub-Station, Kadian Space Terminal, and Qward
Written By: Alan Burnett
Directed By: Lauren Montgomery
Regular Edition Details
Actors:
Format: Animated, Close-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen
Language: English, Spanish
Region: Region 1
Aspect Ration: 1.78:1
Number of Discs: 1
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: 2009
Run Time: 75 minutes
Price: $19.98 SRP
Special Edition Details
Actors:
Format: Animated, Close-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen
Language: English, Spanish
Region: Region 1
Aspect Ration: 1.78:1
Number of Discs: 2
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: July 28, 2009
Movie Run Time: 75 minutes
Features Run Time: 185 minutes
Price: $29.98 SRP
Blu-Ray Details
Actors:
Format: Animated, Close-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen
Language: English, Spanish
Region: Region 1
Aspect Ration: 1.78:1
Number of Discs: 2
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: July 28, 2009
Movie Run Time: 75 minutes
Features Run Time: 210 minutes
Price: $34.99 SRP
Special Edition and Blu-Ray
Special Features
Sneak Peak: Exclusive Sneak Peek at DC Universe's Upcoming Superman/Batman: Public Enemies
Documentary: Behind the Scenes of Blackest Night, The Epic DC Comics Super Hero Event in Which the Dead Rise
Featurette: Explore 3 Other DC Universe Animated Movies
Digital Copy Download: Warner Bros. is including a Digital Copy of Green Lantern on the DVD which will provide fans a legitimate means to enjoy their favorite action hero anywhere they want on their portable video device. Formats supported include: iTunes, Windows Media Player. Restrictions apply. Consult product packaging for details.
Documentary: Behind the Story with Geoff Johns: The New York Times Best-Selling Writer Discusses the Mythology of the Green Lantern
Bonus: Duck Dodgers Series Episode The Green Loontern
Featurette: Green Lantern Corps Character Profiles of Sinestro and the Guardians of the Universe
Bonus: Bruce Timm Presents 2 Bonus Cartoons: Justice League Unlimited "The Once and Future Thing" Parts 1 & 2 (Special Edition), Justice League Unlimited "The Once and Future Thing" Parts 1 & 2, Justice League Unlimited "The Return," and Justice League "Hearts and Minds" Parts 1 & 2 (Blu-Ray), and Justice League "In Blackest Night" Parts 1 & 2 and Justice League Unlimited "The Once and Future Thing" Parts 1 & 2 (Target version)
Green Lantern | Review
Green Lantern: First Flight is the fifth installment of the DC Universe animated movie series. Presented by Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Animation, and DC Comics, the film releases in July 2009 as a single disc DVD, two-disc special edition DVD, and Blu-ray Disc release. The animated original movie will also be available OnDemand and Pay-Per-View, as well as available for personal download.
Produced by the multiple Emmy Award winning animation legend Bruce Timm, Green Lantern: First Flight is an origin story and features a seasoned celebrity voice cast including Christopher Meloni (Law & Order), Victor Garber (Alias), Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica), Michael Madsen (Kill Bill), and many more.
Most DC Comics fans are current with Hal Jordan's origins as the first Green Lantern of the Silver Age of comics just as they are with the trinity of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. Hal Jordan is recruited to join the Green Lantern Corps and placed under the supervision of the respected senior Green Lantern Sinestro. Jordan soon discovers his trainer is actually the central figure in a secret conspiracy that threatens the philosophies, traditions and hierarchy of the entire Green Lantern Corps. Hal must quickly hone his newfound powers and combat the treasonous Lanterns within the ranks to maintain order in the universe with courage and willpower.
After years of screen time for the more modern Green Lanterns of Sector 2814, John Stewart and Kyle Rayner, the movie gives a fully formed origin story for one of the most famous figures in the DC Comic pantheon. Instead of a flash forward into his career, Jordan's journey begins on Earth and he must not only learn about his new powers, but he has to overcome his own pride and win the respect of his comrades and new bosses.
Since the Green Lantern Corps are a science fiction version of police officers, it makes perfect sense to ground the story through the point of view of a rookie and contrast it with that of a hardened veteran who has come to question his perspective on law and how to enforce it.
Thematically, the remainder of the film addresses the clash of ideology first separated the Maltusians centuries ago into the Guardians of the Universe and the Controllers. The Guardians exist to promote peace and justice after the crime is committed. The Controllers, however, believe that the worst of atrocities and corruption should be prevented through pro-active measures. While the Guardians stand for the most ideal of principles, the Controllers fell into this moral grey territory all for the sake of the greater good. Fairly enough, the movie draws from the modern day zeitgeist of the political arena as tensions between countries rise and fall.
In theory with 3600 possible Green Lanterns to appear along with apprentices, my mind boggled at all of the aliens that graced the screen. Aside from the primary and secondary characters drawn from the ranks such as Boodikka, Kilowog, Arisia, Ch'p, and Tomar Re, it was pleasant surprise to glance at cameos from several others among the midst of stand ins, such as Chaselon, Green Man, Palaqua, Salakk, Xax, Jeryll, Princess Iolande, Naut KeLoi, and even Oliversity. After my brain stopped hemorrhaging, the use of explicit language and violence was not gratuitous but just enough to convey the action and emotion in the scenes.
Overall, Green Lantern: First Flight is the best installment of the DCU series so far. Although it has been years since fans have seen Bruce Timm's much celebrated Timmverse of DC animated characters, I think First Flight recaptures the essence that made the animated television shows so great, it combined the best elements: science fiction and humanizing heroes from the Silver Age, darker and more mature plots and real world issues from the Bronze Age, and ringing the bell, pushing the standard forward and challenging what's been seen before.
Arguably, with all of Superman: Doomsday and New Frontier's success, they were large sprawling yet concise story arcs that couldn't be done properly in the 75-minute format. Gotham Knight was a small artsy-fartsy short film. Wonder Woman re-opened the doors to the successful formula instilled by Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett, and company back in the early 90's.