Back in 2008, when "The Dark Knight" was about to be released in theaters, DC Universe Animated Original movies released "Batman: Gotham Knight". It featured fantastic anime style animation and compelling short-stories, however I felt that the interchanging stories without one, feature length story to tie them all together weakened the movie a little bit.
Now, a week before the premiere of "Green Lantern", DC Universe Animated Original Movies released "Green Lantern: Emerald Knights". It contains 5 small stories that interlock with one big story. The movie was released on June 7th on both Blu-Ray + DVD combo and single disc DVD. The Blu-Ray edition comes packed with special features. The special features include: "Why Green Lantern Matters: The Talent of Geoff Johns", "Only the Bravest: Tales of the Green Lantern Corps" featurette, an exclusive sneek peek at the upcoming "Batman: Year One", Full Length Commentary, a Green Lantern Virtual Comic, "From Comic Book to Screen: Abin Sur", "Beautiful But Deadly- From Comic Book to Screen: Laira Omoto", and also 2 bonus cartoons featuring Green Lantern.
The main story that we are presented with at the beginning is a new recruit, Arisia, joins the Green Lantern Corps just when Krona, the renegade Guardian, threatens to attack Oa. On the eve of battle, Hal Jordan takes it upon himself to reassure the nervous recruits with some of the best tales of the Corps. The tales include the Story of Avra, the first Lantern, The Training of Kilowog, the first mission of Lantern Laira, the might of the planet Green Lantern Mogo, and the last mission of Abin Sur, where he faces Atrocitus. While Hal recounts these tales to Arisia, Krona gets closer to fulfilling his threat of destroying Oa and the Corps. It is only through the combined effort of the entire Green Lantern Corps that they can have any hope of stoping Krona's attack!
One of the strongest aspects of this film, which "Batman: Gotham Knight" didn't have, was the same animation/character design. Even though the movie explores several different stories and several other characters, they did not change the animation style at all. I feel that it really helps to bind all the stories together and really keeps you interested in the purpose of Hal sharing these stories with Arisia.
While on the topic of the animation, I have to say that it was beautiful. The character designs and environments were nearly identicle to the animation used in the DC Universe Animated Movie "Green Lantern: First Flight", but the costumes looked a bit better and, more importantly, brighter. The use of brighter greens for the costumes and for the ring constructs really makes the movie pop off the screen. It's very eye catching and gorgeous to watch. I also found the action sequences to be extremely pleasing. There are high octane action sequences with various hand-to-hand combat and a lot of ring construct fighting. It was a perfect balance of the two. I notice that with each film from DC, the choreography in the fight scenes gets more intense and more stylized to look like a fight scene in a real, live action movie. If you're looking for some great animated action, and most importantly, if you really want to get a good idea of just what exactly a power ring can (and cannot) do before the live action "Green Lantern" hits theaters, then you will love Emerald Knights.
One of the biggest strengths of this movie is that the stories within are written by actual comic book writers, such as Geoff Johns. We've seen previously with "Batman: Under The Red Hood", when Judd Winick wrote the story and script for that movie, it just had a much more "true to the comics" feel than when we've seen animation writers tell the stories. The Kilowog story where his drill sergeant, Deegan, puts him through an incredible ordeal and then goes with Kilowog and the other rookies into their first real mission is taken panel for panel, word for word out of the comic books. As is the final story, which features Abin Sur, Sinestro, and Atrocitus. That story is taken verbadum from "Green Lantern Secret Origins". It was just great to see another animated movie where I can clearly see a direct relationship between the animated movie and the comic books. It's just great storytelling by some of comics' finest writers. If you love what Geoff Johns and other writers have done with Hal Jordan and the rest of the Green Lantern Corps in the last 7 years, then you will DEFINATELY love "Green Lantern: Emerald Knights"!
A big problem that I think a lot of people run into with Green Lantern, especially ones who don't avidly read the comics (or at all), is that they don't realize just how individualized the Corps is. Yes, they are the Universe's greatest, most diverse group of heroes, but each Lantern, as Hal explains, has their own story. Each of them come from completely different backgrounds, worlds, and experiences. Through this movie, we are shown not only in-depth personal stories of certain Lanterns, but we are also shown how the Corps changes them. We see how with Avra and Kilowog, both of them start out as humble, fairly quiet individuals who don't seem particularly suited for the task of being a Green Lantern. But it is through their stories, seeing their conflicts, seeing their struggle, that we can understand how these characters grow and how they become truly worthy to be apart of the Corps. The strongest aspect of this movie in my mind, which I believe will be heavily conveyed in "Green Lantern", is the fact that the rings choose their bearers because the rings see in them the will and ability to overcome fear, even if the ring bearer doesn't see it. It is only through their first major conflicts that they are able to find that attribute the rings found in them in the first place, and it is a great experience to share with these characters.
The music was also very well done in this movie. It has the perfect blend of suspense mixed with a sense of grandness and massive scope. It gives the Corps a regal feel and essence. The music helps you to realize just how ancient, and strong, and honorable the Green Lantern Corps is, while also giving you the fast paced drama required to intensify the action/fight scenes. I have yet to ever be disappointed with a score in any of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies.
Overall, I give this movie a 9/10. It hits the mark on so many levels. The animation is fantastic. The voice casting is spot on. The writing/storytelling is some of the best I've ever seen from any of the DC Animated Movies and just adds more credibility to the movie through the use of comic book writers writing the stories. This movie is not only a GREAT precursor to watch before seeing "Green Lantern" June 17th, but it's just an all around great Green Lantern animated movie. I would definately say I enjoyed this movie more than I enjoyed "Green Lantern: First Flight". It's so diverse and informative and comic book accurate and action packed. It will not leave you disappointed. Plus, the special features are packed with awesome featurettes/documentaries that create even more entertainment for die hard comic fans. If you haven't seen "Green Lantern: Emerald Knights", see it before you see the live action "Green Lantern". It will only make it better!!
Don't forget that "Green Lantern", starring Ryan Reynolds, Mark Strong, Blake Lively, Peter Skarsgaard, Geoffrey Rush, Michael Clarke Duncan, and directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale, Golden Eye, The Mask Of Zorro), opens in theaters this week, on June 17th in theaters and IMAX everywhere. In Brightest Day, In Blackest Night....