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Justice League: The New Frontier (2010) DVD Review
Justice League: The New Frontier (2010) DVD Credits:
Justice League: The New Frontier (2010) Directed by:
Dave Bullock
Justice League: The New Frontier (2010) Written by:
Stan Berkowitz Darwyn Cooke
Justice League: The New Frontier (2010) Cast:
David Boreanaz...Hal Jordan / Green Lantern (voice)
Justice League: The New Frontier (2010) Released by:
Not available at this time
Region:
1
Justice League: The New Frontier (2010) DVD Release Date:
2nd February 2010
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Justice League: The New Frontier (2010) Synopsis:

Based on Darwyn Cooke's award-winning graphic novel, this thrilling adventure reveals the origin of the Justice League. With Cold War paranoia putting Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman under government suspicion, only the gravest threat imaginable can force these heroes - along with an army of newcomers including The Flash, Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter - to unite in a spectacular showdown to save the world.

Justice League: The New Frontier (2010) DVD Review:

Like a blast of red kryptonite, the Superman universe is having a strange effect on me. Namely, I'm becoming a fan. But... I’m not... or, rather, don't want to be. But if "fan" means compulsively watching Smallville (the Justice League episode last season was the best of the show's run), Superman Returns the movie (even though I hate it I watch whenever it's on) and reading the comics, then I guess I qualify, not through will but through habbit. And who but a fan would anticipate with great pleasure the release of Superman and co.'s collective appearance in the new “Justice League” animated film? I mean, I hear Lucy Lawless as Wonder Woman and "Angel's" David Borenaz as Green Lantern and I'm ready to sign up for a tour of duty. After the success and surprising quality of the “Hellboy” animated movies, the “Iron Man” movie and even (though, to a lesser degree) "Superman: Doomsday," the market for animated original features has not been this exciting since the classic “Batman – The Animated Series” days. Ah, good times.

This action romp comes from the makers of the television "Justice League" show as well as the now classic "Batman Beyond" and "Superman" shows. Adding to that cannon of iconic storytelling the feature has a very specific mission statement: to take the audience back into time where a group of rivaling heroes set their super-egos aside to join for the greater good. This series, and comic, is like a best-of or who's who of American (and cosmic) superheroes. Does this new feature revitalize the Justice League ethos? No. But it does something almost as necessary. It solidifies the classic qualities of the Justice League without feeling the need to sexy it up. In place of that is, of all things, unabashedly political discourse. The context is cold war hysteria where "boogymen" like McCarthy require the "need for our heroes to stand up and show us what this country is supposed to mean." In one scene, when the Flash pleads for the country to change on national television a viewer says, "hey, what was with that red costume? Red's for commies." In another, Martian Manhunter almost gives up on America due to its "mindless conformity." The uber-powerful villain, called The Center, wants to kill humanity because it fears us so much. And even Superman talks about “reclaiming” the country from the fear mongering government. Deep and subversive as hell. Remember, superheroes used to be very political and one can certainly appreciate how this film tangles itself in such matters, going as far as to draw parallels with the Patriot Act.

“The New Frontier” primary focus is on test pilot Hal Jordan (known as the Green Lantern and given great life by voice actor Borenaz) and the Martian Manhunter. Do we really care about Martian Manhunter enough to spend a whole film with him? Almost. Slightly less compelling is all the random dinosaurs characters have to fight. At any rate, the action is tight and quick but, of course, too cluttered with character personality once the plot gets rolling. I also found it hard to appreciate the animation style as it's basically just a glorified version of the TV series. I'm not complaining; I'm just sayin'. Overall, the film cruses along at a breezy pace and includes enough refreshing political intrigue to keep me hooked and, more importantly, to keep me a fan.

DVD Extras
Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English, Portuguese
Region: Region 1
Run Time: 75 minutes

Most fans would buy this DVD for the film alone so I give credit to Warner Premiere for providing some nice fan service by including a healthy trio of extras. One feature are even better than the actual feature! In particular, I was interested in the documentary titled "Super Heroes United: The Complete Justice League History." That one’s kind of self-explanatory. The DVD also includes two commentaries. One features the "talented" filmmakers of New Frontier. This might work for those interested in the nature of production; which I was not. So luckily, Warner threw in a second commentary with comic book writer and artist Darwyn Cooke. And if you're REALLY a fan of the show you'll pick up the deluxe two-disk edition of this film. That, I’m afraid, is where I have to draw the line.

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Justice League: The New Frontier (2010) DVD review written by: Greg Douglass

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