"Green Lantern: Emerald Knights" Review: A Little Blah For the Non-Lantern Fan

Let me just say right from the beginning that I’ve never been that big of a Green Lantern fan.

I say that because I think it might explain why I just couldn’t really get into “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights.”

“Knights” is the newest original animated movie from the DC Universe. But instead of taking a Green Lantern story and turning it into a movie, “Knights” tells six different stories that expand on the mythology of the Green Lantern Corps and its many different characters.

While awaiting a battle with the ancient enemy Krona, Hal Jordan (Nathan Fillion), Sinestro (Jason Isaacs), Kilowog (Henry Rollins) and Laira (Kelly Hu) share stories with new recruit Arisia (Elisabeth Moss). We see the story of the first Lantern, Kilowog’s Lantern boot camp experience, Laira’s struggles with her family, the Green Lantern that is actually a living world, Sinestro’s relationship with Abin Sur (Arnold Vosloo), and the story that ties it all together—the battle with Krona.

Each of the stories is okay, but because I didn’t know any of the characters, it was a little hard to get into them. And in all honesty, the most interesting story is the overall Krona story. Unfortunately, it doesn’t get nearly enough time.

As usual, the voice cast is first rate. But wasting the incredibly talented Fillion by having him serve mostly as a narrator is a big disappointment.

If you’re a fan of Green Lantern, you’ll enjoy this because you’ll enjoy seeing the backstories of the characters you know and love. I admit that after watching some of the bonus material, I actually understood more of the character interactions that I didn’t get when I watched the movie. If you’re not a Green Lantern fan, you’ll probably find the whole thing a little blah…

And speaking of the bonus material, as usual, it’s the best thing about the DVD. “Only the Bravest: Tales of the Green Lantern Corps” is a fascinating look at bravery itself and how it pertains to the story of Green Lantern. “Why Green Lantern Matters: The Talent of Geoff Johns” (exclusive to the Blu-Ray release) shares more about how Hal Jordan was reborn in the DC Universe and two brief pieces on Abin Sur and Laira Omoto (also both exclusive to the Blu-Ray) fill in the gaps in the movie.

But the most special of the special features is our first look at the next DC Universe movie, “Batman: Year One,” adapted from the Frank Miller classic. Ben McKenzie (Bruce Wayne/Batman), Bryan Cranston (Jim Gordon), Eliza Dushku (Selina Kyle), Alex Rocco (Falcone) and Katee Sackhoff (Essen) sound absolutely fantastic.

The DVD also features two episodes of “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” and the Blu-Ray also features commentary from DC’s Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns and DC Co-Publisher Dan DiDio.

“Green Lantern: Emerald Knights” is available now…

Photo Credit: Warner Home Video