Blu-ray certain does aid animation. The colors just pop off the screen. The deep colors show off the direct-to-home entertainment releases cut-above-the-rest animation. However, like physical flaws on actors blaringly coming out in 1080p, so does the animation cheats, like less detail in background elements. That said it's never distracting in the least, especially when the story is so solid. As for the soundtrack, it does really utilize the 5.1 surround sound capabilities, relying on the front speakers for the most part.
For the special features, "I Am the Ring" is the most interesting featurette looking at Green Lantern's roots in mythology and religion. While at times repetitive, the scholars and comic experts delve into an interesting discussion on the history and meaning of talismans and amulets. Artist Neal Adams makes a particularly interesting point when he notes that the power ring comes to Earth to pick the most worthy successor and has to skip other DC icons like Bruce Wayne and Superman to find Hal Jordan. That says a lot about Jordan.
"Behind the Story with Geoff Johns" looks closer at the Green Lantern mythos. For Lantern newbies like myself, I found the featurette very informative. The only problem was that the nine-minute feaurette left me wanting more. Likewise I found the feaurettes on Sinestro and the Guardians of the Universe to be shallow at best. The disc also contains previews of other DC Animation titles including the upcoming SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES, which one gets the impression is going more toward action and less story, which is a shame, considering the richness of the comic source. But DC has disappointed with these titles yet. Geoff Johns also returns for a featurette on his multi-title comic run called "Blackest Night," where a black power source is activated that brings back dead superheroes. The disc also features GREEN LANTERN-centered episodes of DUCK DODGERS and JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED, which were picked by DC icon Bruce Timm, as well as a Windows Media Player digital copy of the film.
Read a review of the film here!
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
