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Rating:  -
If you were an avid comic collector in the 1970s and 1980s, the coolest thing to ever hit theaters at the time (besides Star Wars) was Superman. It was a monumental achievement in storytelling and special effects, especially on the big screen because most other iconic superheroes existed through cartoons (Superfriends, Spiderman and His Amazing Friends). Anything with live-action at the time was relegated to the small screen as a hokey series (Batman, The Incredible Hulk, Flash) or TV movie (Spiderman, Captain America).
By the late 80s and early 90s, Hollywood began to truly recognize the potential worth of bringing comic characters to the big screen beginning with its take on Batman. Though the Superman franchise was run into the ground (1987), Batman did pretty well, surviving a change in its lead actor (1995), even if the third time (1997) wasn't a charm. Before audiences could even mourn the decline of the Batman and Superman franchises, along came X-Men (2000), closely followed by Spiderman (2002). Thanks to the care taken to fully develop its characters, the wonderfully crafted story lines, and the amazing CGI, it was as if Hollywood finally got it. And if it hadn't been for the success of these two previous franchises, there would have been no Fantastic Four, no restart of the Superman franchise, no Hulk movies, and especially no Batman movies by Chris Nolan.
In the wake of Polar Express, the Golum of Peter Jackson's movies, Beowulf, and the last two Hulk pictures, it's time for Hollywood to take the same caring approach to an all-CGI film when transferring comic heroes from page to screen. Why? The reason is simple: the cartoon form of yesterday looks tired and old. Perhaps this reviewer has been spoiled by Pixar's beautifully rendered movies; perhaps it's also anime films such as Appleseed: Ex Machina that have me, as a viewer, yearning for something more spectacular for the superheroes I grew up with.
Justice League: The New Frontier was a masterstroke of storytelling. Set in the 1950s, the story is taken from Darwyn Cooke's 2004 DC miniseries. Though the film could have been even longer to incorporate more from the original storyline, all the necessary elements are present to show how these super beings came together to form the Justice League. And its message of coming together to work towards a common goal, regardless of differences, resonates throughout the picture.
The artwork of the original series in print echoed the Silver Age of comics. If only that same motif could have transferred more successfully to the film adaptation. Admittedly, especially when it comes to storytelling about beings with super powers, the story can be told much easier (and cheaper) in cartoon form. But now it's time to take that medium to a whole other level. It's time to give it some super powers of its own.
Rating:  -
This movie was a huge disppointment especially being produced after the well-made Justice League and Justice League Unlimited Animated Series. I must admit that I have not read the Darwyn Cooke series upon which this movie is based, and I am judging this movie solely on its merits (or lack thereof). One thing that I am learning about Warner Brothers is that the freedom of being able to release animated movies straight to DVD is an invitation to show gratuitous violence and bloodshed (especially the bloodshed). A warning to parents: the opening scene of this film shows a man blowing his head off. The movie goes quickly downhill from there. Now I am not against stories containing action and suspense. But what differentiates DVD movies like this one and Superman:Doomsday from previous animated material is that the storytelling was much better and stylish in the previous material. Sophisticated viewers do not need bloodshed and death shown frame to frame to understand the plot. Such disregard for style and plot is an insult to viewers and comic book fans alike, and it often appears as if the bloodshed is a substitute for plot and character development. Speaking of character development, the so-called heroes in this film are portrayed (with the exception of Superman and the Flash) as egotistic, whiny and self-centered. The most disturbing and disgraceful portrayal is that of Wonder Woman. Instead of the strong, graceful and majestic character that she has been in the comics for years, she is portrayed as a bullying, angry and atypically violent jerk. In one scene, she condones the killing of a group of soldiers (that were rendered unarmed) by a group of villagers that were previously tortured by the soldiers. The very idea that the Wonder Woman created many years ago by William Moulton Marston to fight war and aggression would be twisted into a brute that is no different than the men she was appointed to bring peace to is an affront and an insult to the character. The whole movie appears to be a launching point for a potential Green Lantern series. However, his appearance is so late in the picture that viewers will lose interest in the film before it happens. The villain is just some nameless alien blob that gets into the minds of weak people and makes them do bad things. (Maybe it got into the minds of the writers of this film). We never know where it comes from or why it does what it does. It just does its thing (and predictably renders every other hero useless) long enough for Green Lantern to make his appearance. Let's hope that the upcoming Wonder Woman DVD (in 2009) is much better and more respectful of its source material than this piece of trash. If DC wanted to do a Green Lantern story, his history and origin is rich enough to warrant his own film. I really wish that DC Comics animation would just make good and well-written adaptations of the individual heroes (such as Shazam, Aquaman and Green Lantern) than subjecting us to this bloodthirsty garbage.
Rating:  -
If you remember the DC universe of the late 70's and the 80's you will like how they brought some of the earlier characters back for this movie but for the rest it just didn't seem worth it. Yes you get to see Superman,Batman,Wonder Woman,Green Lantern,and the Martian Manhunter to name a few. The story of the movie seems to mostly be about the fear and paranoia the normal populace have to the more powerful and mysterious hero's especially since they are not really needed it seems to the people since most of the major wars are over and how the justice league now must try to show the people to have tolerance and trust in them even though they might be different then the majority of the public. As I watched this I just couldn't care what was happening really which is sad since I used to be a big fan of these characters before the comic companies and the movie producers changed them beyond recognition from what they were in the early years.
So I say to the fans if you became one from the year 2000- than you would most likely enjoy this dvd for the most part but if you're a fan from before 2000 pass this one up you won't be missing much
Rating:  -
The movie itself was nicely done and it shows the origins of green lantern, Martian Manhunter and others. My main complaint is thats the movie is a bit on the short-side, about 75 mins, and at times it feels like they are rushing the story along.
I give the movie itself about 3 1/2 stars (maybe 4 on a good day), but what really saves this product is the extras, 2 commentaries, a very well done history of the Justice league(and pretty much superhero comics in general), 3 entire episodes of Justice League Unlimited, and an in depth sneak peek at the upcoming release of Batman: Gotham Knight.
Overall its a good movie packed with some great extras and it's a must have for fans of the DC universe.
Rating: -
If you were born in the 70's and you are a comic fan then this is a must see for you! Unfortunately this Justice League is not the same with the JLU. This is for old school fans. I cant get used to Batmans costume, he looks like the one in the Scooby doo show! I gave it 3 * because of the nice visuals and some good extras.
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