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32 out of 40 people found the following review useful: Absolutely faithful to the original, 2 February 2008 Author: rrlane from United States
The original comic New Frontier was a lavish, loving tribute to both the heroes of DC comics and the spirit of 1950s America, and this movie captured both almost as well. Many of the comments here that are critical of this film apparently are not at all familiar with comics of that era, and don't realize what this story tries to evoke. Some of the incongruities (Batman and Superman's costumes, the white Green Lantern) are NOT errors or sloppiness. These were depictions of the characters as they were nearly a half century ago. Remember, there were visions and versions of these heroes that existed prior to the Cartoon Network, and this is their story. I love the Justice League cartoon, and this movies stands shoulder to shoulder with the best of that show.
34 out of 46 people found the following review useful: they did a good job with this one!!, 25 January 2008 Author: zs_rambo from Canada
I'm always checking out these animated superhero movies, and most of the time they're very disappointing. For example all of the ultimate avenger movies, superman: doomsday etc.But this one did not disappoint,they did a great job with it, and it's one of the best animated movies I've seen in a longgggg time. As a fan of the justice league series, I had big expectations for this movie, and it may not have been as good as the series but it was still very enjoyable to watch.I advise any superhero fans to watch this. I hope they continue to make more animated movies like this one.
25 out of 33 people found the following review useful: Awesome adaptation. Fantastic movie., 2 February 2008 Author: Des Embrey from Australia
This is a fantastic film, retaining the style and flavour of the original tale, and for me bringing back a real sense of the earliest Justice League stories and the original heroes of the DC Silver Age.Reading some of the other reviewers they seem to want the glitzy shiny polished versions that have been popularised these days, but I've got to be honest - these stocky built characters beat out the ballet dancer heroes of today in my book. And the feel of Jack Kirby through especially the latter part of the film.The story itself does a great job of integrating the Golden Age Justice Society days and the Silver Age Justice League days. A worthy piece of work, and I hope we see more of these special projects from the Warner animation department (and Bruce Timm!)
18 out of 20 people found the following review useful: A Step Outside The Regular Series (contains spoilers), 30 January 2008 Author: from United States
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
I can remember 40 years ago reading DC comics that would "step outside" the regular series to explore "what if" plot ideas: what if humans advanced in 100 years to be almost as powerful as Superman, or what if the Legion of Superheroes were caught in a planetary concentration camp, or what if Superman lost his powers and became a superhero similar to Batman using Kryptonian technology (and similar plots).This movie is based on a graphic novel using a "what if" type of idea: it's the same characters as in the Justice League comic book series (and other series characters), but with variations as necessary to develop the plot.As long as you don't expect the usual and familiar, this movie takes the characters in interesting new directions with more adult themes.By the way, since this is more adult you may not want very young children to view this (or at least watch it without them first before you decide to let them see it). The beginning of the movie in particular may not be suitable.
21 out of 27 people found the following review useful: Best animated DC title since Phantasm., 27 February 2008 Author: thebrainflow from USA
Along with a quick moving story line, mature themes and strong character work, this is a movie with heart. It never pauses, and rarely misses a beat as it tells its story. The person who said its a mockery, really should go back and read the comics of the period, this had the best art since Fleischer did Superman, and it all works. Loved seeing Batman in his original costume, and Superman and Wonder Woman as adults. It was absolutely fantastic, wish for more work and good tidings in Future enterprises.The story focuses mostly upon Hal Jordan as he becomes the Green Lantern. The dark themes of McArthyism and a thing called the Center that is destined to destroy us all is typical of the comic, but had not been seen in any of the cartoon ventures thus far. Let me say it again. This is the best DC animated project since Mask of the Phantasm!Next! IDENTITY CRISIS!
14 out of 17 people found the following review useful: Get off the JLA's lawn, 2 February 2008 Author: mhfca from Fresno, CA
I've collected and read since 1959, and being the consummate comics fan, I've seen all of the incarnations, followed all the Secret Crises and plot lines and threads, and what I missed, my best friend collected and we shared.Adaption of the concept: 10. What did the McCarthy Era cause for the superheros, and would the "Common Man" plan be used as we saw? Adaption of the characters: 9. The only reason for this is the divergence from the "new" comic reality that the WWII Wonder Woman was in actuality Queen Hippolyta.Adaption of the comic: 7.5. It would have been better if some of the side plots were developed, and had the Losers been more explained. The last bits of King Faraday were not jarring per se, but would have gone a lot more to explaining what was going on had the Losers been developed out in the story. However, the inclusion at the beginning of the author's final moments helped clarify a lot that was scattered in the original mini-series.Adaption of the story: 8. Hal Jordan's 'discovery' should have happened at the beginning, as indicated. Wildcat's fight should have been shown along with the various side characters, along with the Challengers of the Unknown (Ace Morgan named alone explains nothing). Likewise, Captain Nathaniel Adam, Ray Palmer and others who were merely named without explanation, as well as the Blackhawks and Green Arrow...there was only a mention of Hourman without explanation, and we needed a bit more than a "Hawwwkk-AA-AAA!" to carry on...But...there _was_ a "Hawwwkk-AA-AAA!"...and an Arrow Plane...And Batman at the end, putting it all together for even the most brilliant scientific minds (though I would have preferred to see Adam Strange released from Arkham Asylum...).Put it all together, and for me, who has seen every incarnation of the JSA/JLA/JLE/JLI/JLU...This was a masterpiece of reconstructive ret-con. Superbly done, relying heavily on a fundamental comic book knowledge, but loosely enough that people can at least identify who the characters are and their purpose.The closing scenes were ripped from the books, and beautifully handled, and while I'm not sure if that was his voice or a clever impersonator, it was the masterstroke to the masterpiece that completed the epic.To those (some of whom have already posted) who will whine and kvetch that "this is not the JLA I know"...You're absolutely right; this isn't any JLA that I knew of before reading the books or seeing the adaption, and I've been reading them long before many of you appear to have been born or even knew of Happy Harbor, Maine.But as "Origin Stories" go, this is one of the best to be presented, and will hopefully open the pocketbooks of viewers to watch and encourage the rich history within the Golden Age, Silver Age, and Modern/Crisis Age of Comics to be brought to "life" in animation.I just snagged the collected serials of BATMAN from 1943 in their entirety, so I'm off-line to enjoy that.Now, if only Lucas would exercise his options to bring the Blackhawks to the silver screen...
11 out of 15 people found the following review useful: The best film DC has ever produced!, 27 February 2008 Author: edtwelsh from United States
This is what fans have been waiting for. This film did an excellent job of following Darwyn Cooke's vision of the JLA as well as provide great continuity to the DC Universe. As for the negative comments about the characters from one certain naysayer. Get educated in the mythos before you critique it 1. That was superman's original 'S', read the damn books before you criticize. Understand the character's roots first.2. Hal Jordan was the original Green Lantern from Earth. Jon Stewart is the third. The JL series is not DC Dogma.3. They followed Bob Kane's Batman to the umpteenth degree. From the first issue he appeared in up to where Robin is introduced.Overall, this is the best film DC has ever produced, I'm keeping in mind Richard Donner's Superman and Tim Burton as well as Chris Nolan's Batman films. As far as the comics go, this film is the best.I also appreciated the followup to the issue of the JSA where the heroes were confronted by McCarthy to give up their secret identities, and quitting saving an ungrateful nation. The Red scare despite red being part of the trinity of colors on our own flag. After WWII America becomes less and less American, and this movie played off that. This movie couldn't have been told at a better time.GOOD WORK DC! Hope the momentum keeps going up.
11 out of 16 people found the following review useful: Wish it had been longer..., 29 February 2008 Author: madjoe1 from Toronto, Canada
but as it stands on its own, this version of Cooke's excellent mini series is exceptional in many ways. The voice work is inspired (Sisto's Batman is terrific)and the way the characters are portrayed hews closely to the graphic novel. The animation is first rate as is the music score. My biggest complaint(in fact, my only complaint) is that the film isn't longer. I would have gladly sat through a two hour version of this story in a movie theatre. There are several scenes from the film which are NOT for those under the age of 12, although I was very happy that they were included. I greatly anticipate the next animated film from the WB Studios.
4 out of 5 people found the following review useful: DC Graphic novel translates well..., 26 February 2008 Author: woofan2 from United States
First with "Superman-Doomsday" ,and now with "The New Frontier, DC has translated two of its better story lines wonderfully onto the screen. "The New Frontier" takes place in the early '50's. The war with Korea over and the threat of communism a constant topic of conversation. The JSA (Justice Society of America) has been disbanded. Superman remains the all-American poster boy, Batman the brooding dark knight. Wonder Woman a surprising turn as the true Amazonian she is with blood on her hands. The film focuses mainly on Hal Jordan soon to be The Green Lantern. His numbing confrontation with a Korean soldier at the outset of the film was genuinely shocking. The antagonist is an unseen entity called "The Center". This enemy has psychic powers as well as enormous other-worldly powers as well. Hal Jordan becomes a test pilot and is then introduced to a secret space project with him and a companion "Ace" as his co-pilot. the Martian Manhunter gains the second most screen time here. Tired of the inhumanity on our world he attempts to stow away on Jordans Mars mission without success. Superman comes to the rescue as the mission fails shortly after leaving Earth. Hal Jordan meets up with Abin-Sur as he is handed the mantle of the Green Lantern for the Earth sector. All past differences between the government and superheroes are cast aside as they fight side-by-side to subdue their common enemy. The animation is wonderfully crisp, and a true "retro" feel is present. The animation work on The "Flash" is neat and truly a joy to watch. The voice-over speech by JFK at the end is such a wonderful coda to this film...a few hairs raise on the back of the neck as JFKs' words play on and images of superheroes and their enemies scroll by...a great achievement for DC. Only a few minor complaints. I hope their is a sequel so we can see more characters fleshed out. This is definitely a comic readers movie. Only a true fan would be able to identify some of the tertiary characters such as "Adam Strange" or to a lesser extent "Green Arrow". I think they could have solved this easily by introducing the characters before the film along with their aliases..it would have been a great help to the casual comic fan. Overall I would gladly watch this again and again. A delightful piece of movie-making. This is definitely NOT a kids movie. Their are a few "s.o.b.s'" tossed around as well as some nasty violence against some of the creatures and the movie is unashamed to show blood. I would be cautious to show this to anyone under 10 or 11 years of age.
5 out of 7 people found the following review useful: Epic, but still disappointing, 2 March 2008 Author: T C from United States
There are a lot of things going in favor of Justice League: The New Frontier. The shear scale of the storyline, a world devouring creature who's sole wish is mankind's eradication, striking in a world that has abandoned its heroes, its brilliant, and it is EPIC. From the opening montage to the closing glimpses of the future, there really is a lot of mythos and grandeur to this storyline, and that's a big plus.The storyline is set right in the heart of the 1950's and McCarthyism, driving the JSA to shame and retirement, and causing the public to cast a wary eye on the newly blossoming roster of heroes. Superman, Batman, Wonderwoman, and the Flash are all well established at this point, however the true stars of the show are Green Lantern Hal Jordan and Martian Manhunter. Not my personal favorites, but the story for them is quite good.The voice acting was in my opinion the greatest weakness of the movie. The problem wasn't the voices themselves, but the delivery of lines that should have given me chills fell flat. The flash especially spoke way too fast, as did Hal Jordan. The 70 minute run time should easily have been extended by several more minutes and they could have allowed the actors to actually ACT and not run through their lines at breakneck speed. Jeremy Sisto did a great job as Batman, but sadly he was given about 5 lines in the whole movie, and therefore was a truly wasted talent.The movie also took a decidedly more mature turn than its predecessors, not to spoil key moments, but blood, death, even rape are not out of bounds in this outing, so be mindful of the children. What annoys me is that while there were more mature tones in the action, the dialog and the plot still condescended to 10 year old children. WB really needs to choose who they're shooting for, because they will alienate everyone with this approach.Overall, for fans of DC comics, this is worth a look. GL fans in particular should be happy to see his story finally animated in full, however lovers of the core trinity (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman) will be disappointed by their lack of screen time. They shouldn't have tried to hard to include some action with everyone, because everyone winds up getting short changed. The throwback costumes are a big plus though. 7/10 from a hardcore Superman/Batman fan.
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