Director: Dave Bullock (as David Bullock)
Writers: Stan Berkowitz, Darwyn Cooke (additional material)
Stars: David Boreanaz, Miguel Ferrer, Neil Patrick Harris

Justice League: The New Frontier takes us on a time-traveling trip back to the 1950s, right in the heart of Cold War paranoia and government propaganda. Imagine a world where a fresh generation of superheroes, distrusted by both the government and the general population, must band together with the seasoned veterans of the community to combat an impending Earth-threatening menace.

The movie kicks off with a mysterious force that’s been closely observing humanity’s growth in strength and violence, teetering on the precipice of self-destruction. It’s decided that something has to be done about it. The opening narration, now almost a trademark of superhero flicks, sets the stage, teasing us with what’s to come, and I, for one, loved it. It’s become a common trend, but it never fails to send shivers down your spine, right before the main event.

So, what’s in this animated adventure for you? Well, there are plenty of quick tales involving the heavy hitters: Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, and The Flash. While it might seem like a checklist to ensure all the main heroes make an appearance, for me, it’s about the compact origin stories of Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern. Green Lantern is a bit more familiar, but the mysterious alien from Mars? I had zero intel on him, and I was stoked to dive into his backstory.

The animators’ mission was clear: capture the essence and aesthetics of the Golden Age of these iconic characters. In that regard, they hit the bullseye. Admittedly, it might not match the fluidity of its predecessor, Superman/Doomsday, with its lightning-fast animation. Justice League: The New Frontier takes a more structured, less angular approach to the drawings. But this shift serves to maintain the vibe of the 1950s incarnations of our beloved heroes, and it does so brilliantly.

Now, what truly sets apart these DC Animated Series is the caliber of talent that graces them. Justice League: The New Frontier boasts a star-studded cast with David Boreanaz as Hal Jordan, Miguel Ferrer as J’onn J’onzz/Martian Manhunter, Neil Patrick Harris as Barry Allen/The Flash, and many more. These renowned actors lending their voices showcase how far comic book films have come over the past decade or so. What’s more, each actor plays their part without overshadowing the ensemble, a testament to their professionalism.

In the grand scheme of things, Justice League: The New Frontier deserves applause for sticking to comic book traditions and embracing its unique style. The central plot may tread some familiar waters, and that could be due to the challenge of fitting so many characters into a 75-minute animated film. The Justice League demands a roster of heroes, and the movie delivers. Of course, this means some characters, like Robin and Aquaman, are reduced to brief cameos. Poor Green Arrow doesn’t even get a line! But despite these limitations, the film is a worthwhile watch, especially for comic book aficionados. Highly recommended.