Director: Lauren Montgomery
Writer: Alan Burnett
Stars: Christopher Meloni, Victor Garber, Tricia Helfer

“The opening moments of ‘Green Lantern: First Flight’ reveal Director Lauren Montgomery’s refreshing approach as she briskly navigates the origin story before the opening credits. My initial reaction? ‘Wow, they’re not wasting any time here.’ According to Montgomery, Hal Jordan’s origin story had already been explored in ‘Justice League: The New Frontier’ (2008), and she saw no need to rehash it. I was immediately won over, especially considering I was watching these films in release order, making it sensible not to repeat the same tale, even if there’s no direct connection between the previous and current films.

Now, for those who might not be well-versed in the lore of Green Lantern (and I’ll include myself to a certain extent), ‘First Flight’ centers around Hal Jordan, a test pilot. His life takes a cosmic turn when he stumbles upon a dying alien who bequeaths him a green ring, inducting him into the intergalactic police force, the Green Lantern Corps. From that moment, he becomes the Green Lantern and is mentored by Sinestro, a fellow Lantern who provides guidance and introduces him to the Council that oversees their missions.

The main plot is fairly straightforward. The Lanterns must uncover the “Yellow Element,” which happens to be their sole weakness, capable of nullifying their power, and in the wrong hands, posing a threat to the entire universe. It’s akin to Kryptonite’s effect on Superman. As I mentioned, it’s a rather typical storyline. However, it’s the subplot involving Sinestro and his pursuit of Kanjar Ro that intrigued me more. The brilliant Kurtwood Smith’s portrayal of Kanjar Ro paints him as a cardboard gangster, while Sinestro emerges as a complex and conflicted character. Kudos to Alan Burnett, the writer, for this intriguing twist.

My initial exposure to the Green Lantern character was through the live-action film starring Ryan Reynolds, which left a sour taste in my mouth. Thankfully, this animated version is a world away from the cheesy, generic feel of that film. It’s darker, grittier, and at times surprisingly violent for an animated movie. The pursuit of Kanjar Ro, in particular, gave off vibes reminiscent of ‘Blade Runner’ and ‘Star Wars,’ especially during the interrogation scene, which could be seen as a homage rather than a rip-off.

The animation style and the world’s design took a bit of adjusting to, but they exude an otherworldly quality that suits the narrative. The animation team, many of whom have strong Japanese Anime backgrounds, brought a unique style that felt apt for the Green Lantern universe. The film benefits from an impressive ensemble of talented actors who breathe life into the characters. Christopher Meloni as Hal Jordan/Green Lantern, Victor Garber as Sinestro, Tricia Helfer as Boodikka, Michael Madsen as Kilowog, John Larroquette as Tomar-Re, Kurtwood Smith as Kanjar Ro, and Larry Drake as Ganthet all deliver notable performances that enrich the story.

In summary, ‘Green Lantern: First Flight’ serves as an excellent introduction to the character and his world. While ‘Justice League: The New Frontier’ provided the origin story, ‘First Flight’ delves into what motivates Hal Jordan and his current state of being. The film offers compelling, well-developed characters and intense action scenes, both in storytelling and animation. It comes highly recommended as an engaging adventure into the Green Lantern’s cosmic realm.”

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