DVD Review - Green Lantern: First Flight

“Hal Jordan of Earth, Sector 2814, you have the ability to overcome great fear.” From Comic Books to the Super Friends to the Justice League to an upcoming feature film, Green Lantern is one of the most famous names in comic books. Although not quite as popular Batman or Superman avid followers of the comic genre will know the name Hal Jordan. Hal was the first human Lantern, who eventually rose to becoming one of the greatest Lanterns of all time.

After seeing so many incarnations of Batman, Superman and the Justice League find there way into animated formats, fans have constantly pleaded with DC to release an animated version of Green Lantern. Finally, the dream has been realized in “Green Lantern: First Flight”; this is an origin story of Hal Jordan for new audiences. Avid comic fans have been privy to several versions of Hal’s origin over the decades, including a more recent arc, which highlighted a friendship between the fallen Lantern Sinestro and Jordan.

“Green Lantern: First Flight” is an origin thrill ride, unlike most in animated features. Writer Alan Burnett takes his time developing Hal and his relationships with the other Lanterns. Burnett takes a few liberties with the Lantern mythos and character development, for instance both Boodikka and Sinestro move in a different direction. Also, the concept of being a “Yellow Lantern” is brought up sooner than expected. Although the ending may seem a little outlandish and forced for comic readers, the constant thrills are well earned as a stand-alone animated feature and worth ever viewing second.

The DVD comes with several special features, some of which are merely featurettes from previously released DC Animated features like Wonder Woman and Batman Gotham Night. Disc One features a nice “Blackest Night” featurette, which comic fans will enjoy. Disc Two features several more behind the scenes featurettes and interviews with Geoff Johns as well as one featuring the legendary Animation Voice Director Andrew Romano (seeing her in action is amazing). You also get a 22-minute “Duck Dodgers” (Daffy Duck) episode featuring the infamous Warner Duck with the Lantern Corps.

“Green Lantern: First Flight” is one DVD release that will encourage you to overcome great fear. The animation and stellar voice acting does a marvelous job in bolstering the fast-paced story. There are a couple of reused featurettes on this release, but Disc Two is jam-packed with a ton of bonus features that are all great to watch.

Special Features:
Disc One:
- Exclusive Sneak Peak at DC Universe’s Upcoming “Superman/Batman: Public Enemies”
- Behind the Scenes of “Blackest Night,” the epic DC Comics Super Hero Event in which the dead rise
- Explore 3 other DC Universe Animated Movies

Disc Two:
- Behind the Story with Geoff Johns: The New York Times best-selling writer discusses the mythology of the Green Lantern
- “Duck Dodgers” Series Episode “The Green Loontern”
- Green Lantern Corps Character profiles of Sinestro and the Guardians of the Universe
- Bruce Timm Presents 2 Bonus Cartoons