Well, not exactly at the theatre, the newest animated film based upon the DC universe, Justice League: The New Frontier, was released on DVD this week. It’s based upon a popular graphic novel of the same name. This takes place in the DC universe of the “Silver Age,” but with the darker and deadlier spirit of modern sensibilities. The heroes do not get along well with one another nor with the United States government which fears them. What, then, causes them to come together to form the “Justice League of America”?
First thing one needs to know – this is not a movie made for children. It’s rated PG-13, and it contains many scenes of bloodshed and death. Wonder Woman, for example, liberates a group of women who had been raped in Vietnam, and gives them the means to take revenge on their captors. Hal Jordon (who will become the Green Lantern) is a pacifistic Air Force Pilot who wants to make the journey into space, but has found himself instead in battle – and force to shoot an enemy directly in the face. Because this appears to be a comic book movie, sadly many parents will probably buy it for their children despite the PG-13 sticker placed upon it. It probably should have been rated R to make sure this did not happen (and this would have allowed them to go more into depth with the difficulties the heroes had to face).
Now there are both good things and bad things with the movie itself. First the bad: at times it is slow, and one wonders if one should continue watching it. Some of the voices chosen for the characters do not work (this is the worst Batman I’ve ever heard). And the “villain” is an odd, confusing “power” which calls itself “The Centre”; it appears on the screen as an intelligent, floating island, and is trying to destroy humanity through its ability to create huge dinosaurs at will. It just doesn’t work. It’s so powerful that Superman can’t overcome it (and indeed, it takes Superman out quite early). Instead of inspiring awe that it should have, one just goes “huh?”
Now the good. Despite the flaws of the overall movie, some of the character-based stories, are fairly well executed. Hal Jordon is the central hero of the film, and his story arc is fairly successful. It’s not perfect (I think he needed more time as the Green Lantern), but it works. The Martian Manhunter, a shape-changing Martian with many superpowers (super-strength, matter phasing, telepathy, and flight), storyline is even better. He is accidentally transported to earth by an elder scientist; the shock of what has happened kills the scientist and leaves the Manhunter stranded upon earth. The Manhunter, after an initial investigation of his new home, takes on the identity of a detective which he uses to try to help humanity. But he is being followed, and is eventually captured by the US government. King Faraday, his captor, and him develop a friendship and an understanding, because the Manhunter realizes Faraday’s internal goodness while Faraday realizes the Manhunter could leave if he had wanted to. Probably the best part of the film is how it highlights several important personal qualities needed to be a true hero (in fiction or out) , including forgiveness, overcoming unjust prejudices, and the ability to cooperate with others for the common good.
Now how do I rate this film? It’s not that good, but not that bad. I wouldn’t say it is something one should rush to see unless you are really interested in the graphic novel it comes from; but if you like this genre, and it is on television, you probably could do much worse.
2/4 stars
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