Justice League: The New Frontier (by Brogan)

2/5: Justice League: The New Frontier is an original 2008 straight-to-DVD animated film, and the most recent movie I've literally just watched.  The movie is set in -- and pays great tribute to -- the silver age of  DC comics going as far to include artwork and designs from the era.  The film features a well-known voice cast including Neil Patrick Harris as the Flash, David Boreanaz as Hal Jordan, Lucy Lawless (Xena) as Wonder Woman, and Jeremy Sisto as Batman. The animation looks like the campy stories of the silver age, but is definitely not afraid of being for a more mature crowd.

The film takes place a few years after the Korean war presumably in the late 1950s possibly early 60s, and it's the story of the Justice League's formation and an origin story for Hal Jordan as the Green Lantern.  The main story starts off with young air force pilot Hal Jordan and his partner flying while hearing a radio call about the cease-fire of the Korean war when they are suddenly attacked by a couple of Korean fighter pilots. Having to eject, Hal finds himself in a trench struggling with an enemy soldier while attempting to warn him about the cease-fire, but Hal eventually ends having to shoot and kill the soldier somewhat traumatizing him. The story the starts to follow other heroes of the Justice League; the Martian Manhunter attempting to blend-in and fit in; Wonder Woman being dethroned and eventually nearly killed by her own people; Batman investigating some cult and it's relation to this movie's villain; and Superman being, well, Superman. An evil martian entity, known as "The Center", is trying to destroy earth, but the Center is a very unexplored villain who's main purpose seems to be to draw the League together and make a final action sequence.

While the characters maintain an old-school design, their intended and more modern personalities remain largely intact. This is a very good thing, especially for Batman and Robin.  The artwork here, I feel, is nothing special. Don't get me wrong, it's quite good and everything looks the way it should, but nothing truly stands out.  Story has it's dumber moments and small plot-holes here and there, but for what this movie tries to do, it's all forgivable because it succeeds in telling what it wants to and offers some satisfying action. Oh by the way, I won't give away what "The Center" uses as foot soldiers, because I think it might blow your mind just a little.

Justice League: The New Frontier is not a bad animated superhero film. It's fun, interesting, and a cool homage/origin story. I found this on my Netflix instant queue, so it isn't hard to find. If have the opportunity to see it, don't be hesitant. I give Justice League: The New Frontier 79/100 Points