'Green Lantern: Emerald Knights'
Reviewed by Wally Flores Jr.

'Green Lantern: Emerald Knights' came out a week before 'Green Lantern' hit the theaters. That may have been the smartest plan for DC overall. If I had seen 'Green Lantern' first I would have been hesitant to buy 'Emerald Knights'. But as that wasn't the case, I went out and bought the Blu-Ray combo pack the day it came out. I watched it that night too. For what 'Green Lantern' is in focusing on Hal, 'Green Lantern: Emerald Knights' is for focusing on the Green Lantern Corps. Please know, I'm talking about focus, not quality. 'Emerald Knights' is much better than 'Green Lantern'. Why? Well, let's get to the review.

Movie Review

First, the thing you need to know about 'Green Lantern: Emerald Knights' is that it's basically animated tales from the comics or similar to one that would be in the comics. It is not further tales from the movie in the theaters. So, if you enjoy the comics you'll enjoy these stories. There is a larger story that runs through the whole feature, but all the other stories weave into the larger story. Not necessarily in an obvious fashion, but you get an idea of what the Green Lantern Corps is through the stories of a few of its members (some who have passed). What are those stories? 'The First Lantern' This story reveals that while there were (and are) expectations of a who should be chosen as a Green Lantern, the rings are the ones that make the choice as to who has what it takes to be a Green Lantern. This story reveals how even those who may not understand why they are chosen, are in fact quite capable if they make the choice to step up. It is an excellent story and it really pulls you in as it moves along. The story also shows us how Lanterns first came to do that which we all come to expect of them. 'Kilowog' If you want to know about Kilowog as a recruit, this story will give you that information. I believe this is the most recent story to have been published in comics. It was a story that actually set up elements of a personal challenge for Kilowog during the events of "Blackest Night". While there are a few changes to a primary character's design (alien race), the story is pretty much taken right from the comic version. In this story you find out where Kilowog picked up his sensibilities as an instructor and the origin of the word "poozer". 'Laira' As with the story of the first group of Green Lanterns we're once again shown that the rings are the ones that make the choice of who will be a Green Lantern. In this story we get an idea of the problems that arise in a Green Lantern's life when their role as a Green Lantern impacts their native culture. This is something we don't really get to see from Earth-based Green Lanterns, but I've read a number of stories in the comics where these impacts come into play. When a world knows exactly what a Green Lantern is, it really can impact the life of the person that becomes a Green Lantern. This story delivers that message very well. 'Mogo doesn't Socialize' It's not often that the Green Lantern that is a planet gets to be front and center in a story, so this one is a nice addition when I stop and think of all the other Lanterns that could have been chosen to have a spotlight placed on them. Considering the recent events in the comics, I'm glad this was done. The story is simply amusing, and it helps to create better impact for events in the larger story. 'Abin Sur' Over the years we've learned a lot about Abin Sur, but the reality has been that he's been dead since the time Hal Jordan became a Green Lantern. So, this story gives us the information we need to know about who Abin Sur not only was, but gives us some information as to how he reached the point he did before his death. This story pulls largely from the Abin Sur's history as it has been expanded (or revised depending on your view) in the past few years by Geoff Johns. This story also gives us some time of Abin Sur and Sinestro working together, which is great. Frankly, some day I'd love to see a limited comic series or animated movie of Abin Sur and Sinestro working together, at the peak of their roles as Green Lanterns. 'Emerald Knights' This is the "larger" story, so to speak. It's mostly at the start and the end, but it's also the events that bridge the gaps between the other stories. The story does take some pretty liberal use of established Green Lantern and DC mythos. The primary villain is a familiar face to anyone that reads Green Lantern or is aware of the events of the original "Crisis". The story is well paced, even as it bookends everything else. Plus, it shows once again that the ring makes the choice. Special Features As with the other DC Universe animated original movies there are some nice extras. You've got a sneak peak of 'Batman: Year One' and some bonus cartoons presented by Bruce Timm on the DVD, and on Blu-Ray you've got Geoff John's talking about why Green Lantern matters, and commentary. The best feature in my opinion though is "Only the Bravest: The Tale of the Green Lantern Corps" and it's available on both DVD and Blu-Ray. It has thoughts from Dan DiDio, professor of psychology Dr. Benjamin Karney, Geoff Johns, Michael Green and Marc Guggenheim (writers of 'Green Lantern: Emerald Knights) on the concept of bravery and how it plays into the Green Lantern mythos. I thought it was excellent as it really does bring things forward as to where Green Lantern has come, which is overcoming fear and not being fearless. If you like (or love) the Green Lantern Corps, then you need to make sure you watch 'Green Lantern: Emerald Knights' and when you do, make sure you also check out the special features for whatever version you happen to get.

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