Review of Justice League: The New Frontier (2008) by B R — 12 Mar 2008

For only being about 75 minutes long, this movie does a pretty good job cramming a LOT of very different storylines into one movie, however part of me is saddened that movie-makers today feel they can make so many assumptions about our knowledge of these classic superhero characters' origins. It's been long enough since I saw the Flash's origin story that I could have stood to see a quick rehash here. The entire movie could definitely have been another 20-30 minutes longer and I wouldn't have complained, provided the extra material was of the same quality. As it is, this movie seems like an appetizer for the (hopefully) inevitable Green Latern live-action movie (like the animated IronMan from last summer), with the added benefit of having the Big Three (Supes, Bats, & WW) +1 +1 (Flash & MM) as centerpiece. But it's GL's show, all the way.

The animation is similar enough to the two recent television programs that it feels familiar, but stylized enough to give it that retro feel without being distracting.

FAR too much emphasis has been placed on the "PG-13 level action." And by that, I mean I saw one review mention it. A couple of people die. Off screen. There's some blood. Not a big deal.

Most annoying element of the box art: Captain Marvel. He's not in the movie.

But I can't be alone in thinking the Aquaman cameo at the end was incredibly forced and the simple result of a borderline cop-out to keep Supes busy and give Flash something to do.