Review of Green Lantern: Emerald Knights (2011) by Heather M — 17 Jul 2011

Green Lantern: Emerald Knights is not what audiences might think. It's an origin story. But not solely about Hal Jordan, and how he became a member of the Green Lantern Corps. As a matter of fact, the movie is more a history lesson about the Green Lantern Corps, with Jordan's story very lightly sprinkled in. Though, the future of the Green Lantern Corps (and especially Sinestro) is hinted in one of Jordan's stories. So at least the time line works out to a point.

Without watching it, audiences might automatically equate Emerald Knights to the likes of Batman: Gotham Knight. The comparison could easily be made in that the story is told in multiple parts. But the reality of the movie is that it's nothing like Gotham Knight. It's simply Hal Jordan telling new recruit Arisia the story of some of the most well known members of the Corps. He tells her the stories as the Corps prepare for a battle with one of its greatest foes, ever. He doesn't even narrate the stories, either. He gives an introduction to each one, which then becomes its own story. So Jordan is far less the star of this movie than fans might expect.

It should be noted that this dvd received a "PG" rating. The movie begins with a battle scene in which one of the Corps members is ripped apart limb from limb by some intergalactic bat looking creatures. The last image audiences see of her is her dismembered head floating in space, and then disappearing. Needless to say, this alone might be a bit unsettling to some younger viewers. There's also some light coarse language throughout the movie.

The language isn't the only problem with the story. In comparison to DC's other animated features, this one is little different in terms of its animation. It's a good thing to see an animated feature actually be animated. But seeing another DC movie with an animation style much the same as its others takes away from the overall quality of the movie. The bonus features do little to help matters, too. All that's offered are sneek peaks at a couple of other upcoming animated features from DC, and a couple of trailers.

Green Lantern: Emerald Knights isn't the worst feature that DC has released so far. But for fans who might go into the movie expecting it to be about Hal Jordan, those fans are going to be sadly mistaken. those understanding otherwise might not be so let down. It isn't the worst animated feature that DC has released to this point. But DC may have shot itself in the foot by releasing it right around the same time as its big screen brother. It could lead audiences to be confused, and potentially let down, in watching the two. Either way, it's still a movie that's worth at least one watch. Given, this is just one more piece that'll disappear into the ever increasing masses of animated features from DC and Marvel in their battle. But in bringing the history of another side of the DC universe to life, it's a piece that'll continue to have its own life.