On Vox: Justice League: The New Frontier (2008)
Diana Prince, aka Wonder Woman
Released: February 26, 2008
Director: Dave Bullock
*****
Armed with a PG-13 rating, a veritable Who's Who voice cast and beloved source material, Justice League: The New Frontier spends far too much time on the Green Lantern's backstory and not nearly enough on the real world events in the 1950s which has led to the Justice League dissolving. See, it's the time of Joseph McCarthy and in this fictional world, he has cast suspicion on everyone, including superheroes. We get glimpses of this world, with Flash being apprehended by the police, and brief snippets of dialogue from other characters, but nothing else. And even the main plot, that of the Centre, a benevolent race determined to wipe out humanity because of the destruction it was wrought on the Earth. Only by coming together-aliens, humans, women, men-can a new League show the world they are to be trusted-and defeat the Centre.
The same problems which plagued the previous DC animated movie, Superman Doomsday, get in the way of the story in this outing. Namely, the running time is far too short (75 minutes) and the story is far too loaded with meaningless exposition unrelated to the main plot. Take, for instance, the appearances of Captain Cold and Gorilla Grodd. They mean nothing in the grand scheme of things other than giving a hero something to do before the climactic finale. The ostensible villain here, the Centre, is given the short end of the stick for no apparent reason. Is there more to the character which was left out of the movie to make it more kid friendly? I can't imagine that being the case, with the copious amount of blood and swearing-not to mention seeing a Korean soldier get his brains blown out by a stranded pre-Lantern Jordan.
The New Frontier refers to John F. Kennedy's speech about reaching for the stars as one people-the human race. And, indeed, there are allusions to this idea throughout the film, though it can be heavy handed at times, especially as it pertains to current events. While the "Big Three" (Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman) do make appearances throughout the production, the actual story rests on Green Lantern, the Martian Manhunter, Flash...almost to a fault. It's as if the creators are trying to set up separate franchises from all of these characters in animated form, giving them a pilot of sorts tied to the Justice League name. Fast moving and engaging, my quibbles really are just that: very minor issues coming from a fan who expects far too much.
It's hard not to recommend the feature based on the voice acting (again director by longtime DC Animation's Andrea Romano) and the spectacular visuals appearing as though they are ripped right from the comic book. The finale is absorbing while the dropping of characters throughout the film is great fun for longtime fans. Not to mention those of us who miss the animated Justice League half hour adventures. The New Frontier isn't perfect, but happens to be worlds better than counterpart Marvel's slackjawed animated fare (Ultimate Avengers, Invincible Iron Man, Doctor Strange). And, not to mention it's own forbearer, Superman Doomsday.
Originally posted on themovierambler.vox.com