I just have to say that DC has done it again. From their storytelling to the animation, DC far surpasses Marvel's attempts at releasing quality animated films. Don't get all flustered or upset, I'm only speaking the truth.
If you're a longtime fan of Green Lantern, there's not much to see here. It's still an enjoyable watch and definitely a perfect primer for those who are fairly new to the character. Emerald Knights does a more cohesive job at telling these extraordinary and fascinating stories than Gotham Knight did.
Nathan Fillion is absolutely fantastic as Hal Jordan and Jason Isaacs...there could not have been a better choice for Sinestro, other than Mark Strong himself. The voice cast (aside from Henry Rollins as Kilowog)was great. Period.
The art and character design seemed very new and fresh to me, not the same old character models from previous films. An almost Anime-esque blend in the Lanterns, the Guardians, and the movies' villains really popped.
A major drawback is the stiffness of the character movement. The majority of fluid movement in the film comes from the ring's lasers and light constructs, whereas the characters seem to do a lot of posing.
Arisia is chosen as a fallen Lantern's predecessor, and Hal Jordan is assigned to show her the ropes. At the beginning of the film, Krona makes his presence felt and soon sets his sights on Oa. While anticipating and waiting for the attack, Hal regales the new recruit with tales from the Corps history.
Here are the stories that are told:
-The creation of the Lantern rings and how the first Lanterns learned to harness their willpower to create constructs.
-Kilowog's evolution into the Corps drill sergeant and where he learned the iconic term, “Poozers.”
-How Lantern Laira sacrificed her ties to her family and homeworld to be part of the Corps.
-My personal favorite, meeting the ‘biggest Lantern of them all' for the first time, Mogo.
-Abin Sur's secret origin and his capture of the criminal Atrocitus, who first prophesied the coming of the “Blackest Night,” setting forth events that would lead to Sur’s eventual demise, and Hal being chosen as his successor.
Really gets my excitement running for the live-action movie and cartoon series later this year.
10 out of 10
BONUS: There's a special feature sneak peek of DCU's next animated venture,
Batman: Year One.
The voice cast for Year One is as follows:
Ben McKenzie (The OC)-Bruce Wayne/Batman
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)-Lt. Jim Gordon
Eliza Dushku (Dollhouse)-Selina Kyle
Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica)-Essen
Alex Rocco (The Godfather)-Carmine Falcone