Green Lantern: First Flight - Animated Movie Review

Green Lantern, that DC Comics power ring wearing superhero lives by a very catchy motto. Part cosmic police officer, part super hero masked avenger, Green Lantern or GL to his friends, has been zooming around the galaxy busting bad guys now since 1940 - for 69 gloriously green years now.

This new animated movie from Warner Brothers animation is produced by some of the same folks who have been bringing us the great Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman animated TV shows and films. Most notably, artist and producer Bruce Timm is back here in the production chores and the quality definitely shows.

Hal Jordan is a crack military test pilot minding his own business in a flight simulator, when he's whisked off by a green power beam. Once deposited in the desert nearby a crashed alien craft, he meets a dying alien humanoid, and soon a floating green 'power ring' slips onto his finger and he's transformed into the Green Lantern!

What follows is cosmic action of epic proportions and truly excellent animation. The folks at Warner Brothers and DC Comics never skimp in animation excellence, however they've outdone themselves here. Green Lantern: First Flight abounds in first rate action scenes. These moments are meaty, thrilling and most of all always contribute to the overall story arc. You won't find much narrative flab here.

Every hero needs a nasty villain to battle, here he's called Sinestro, a sort of a bad cop gone really bad. Voiced by the great Victor Garber (Titanic) this is a performance which would have been at home in any first rate TV show or even big budget feature film. Other vocal acting standouts include Chris Meloni as Green Lantern, John Laroquette, Larry Drake and Juliet Landau.

For Green Lantern diehard fans, comic book lovers or even for total novice newbies, I highly recommend this one. Green Lantern: First Flight is an absolute kicking, green good time!

Now excuse me, I must go recharge my power ring!