The End Of DC As An Animated Giant
928261
DC up to this point has done no wrong , Paul Dini steered the animated movies and TV shows into greatness that Marvel couldn't touch .
But now DC has chosen to follow their new corporate 52 motif into bleakness .
This was their most soulless unimaginative incarnation to date .
This is what happens when you let two people take control of a great universe and redesign it , Geoff Johns and Jim Lee owe long time DC Comic fans an apology for this travesty .
Thanks to this movie I will not buy another DC Animated movie just like I stopped buying DC Comics with their new 52 relaunch , a sad day for comics and comic fans .
I expected better ...
2172824
It is truly a shame that this promising chapter of the beginning of "Batman" was cut short.  I enjoyed the animation especially.  It was as great as "The  Clone Wars"!  It also was a companion to the other DC "Cartoon Network" computer animated "Green Lantern".  I feel a great mistake was made by pulling these potential springboards for DC to bolster the upcoming movies of "Batman Vs Superman" and "The Justice League".  DC's short sightedness will be it's downfall.  Marvel right now is miles ahead in this game.  This series was fantastic.  It had everything going for it except for the gumption to go on.  If they bring them back they will be doing themselves and their fans a favor.
3659298
There is friction inherent in the first volume by a new writer in a very long time, particularly when there ions volume concludes with an epilogue which reads like a series finale.  I attribute that to DC allowing Geoff Johns the ending he would have included at the end of his run in the old continuity had the timing worked out.  After the shock wears off, this is a fun story in a new direction.  I ha curious to see where the new direction leads. A couple of issues are shared with the 'lights out' crossover but blissfully few compared to previous volumes.
973997
This show was great and I so wish it was still running.  Lots of action, great story, alot of characters you love if you are into dccomics.  Also, the animation is excellent.  If you liked the older Justice League (unlimited) cartoons you will love this!  The characters from the League always make cameos, mostly Batman, Black Canary, Aquaman, Superman, Captain Marvel, Captain Atom and Red Tornado.  The story is complex and there is a plot line that lasts through out the 2 seasons as well as having a lot of stand alone stories.  ENJOY!!!
2392424
I watched the extended cut version.  Three hours but it went by very fast (maybe even at super speed?).  I can understand the criticisms of the movie as it does at times feel like multiple movies joined into one.  But if you like your DC comics lore/mythology AND you are willing to tolerate a different variant of it (even in the print form, there are so many variants and reboots), then I would recommend giving the movie a try.  I'm glad that I did.
4482929
Animation is GREAT. i love DC movies! The story was solid. If i want to be picky however, this story had the potential to be much stronger. I love JLA, but i feel that DC forced all 7 plus Aquaman, into this one hour and a half story. I understand that Batman and Superman are the money makers, but it would have been a more effective and deep story line if we just left out half of the team for the mission. For Example, cyborg, wonder woman, flash and aquaman could  have been the only present members in this movie and it would have been a stronger story.
1180711
Having been less than excited about many of the DC/WB direct to dvd animations, I was blown away by WONDER WOMAN, and was anxiously awaiting the release of GREEN LANTERN FIRST FLIGHT.  I got an early copy and at the point at which I am writing this review have seen it several times.  For those who do not know the Green Lantern comics this is a brilliant introduction, and for those who do know it...well this film has it's own take on certain aspects of the mythos, and though some things have changed it all works quite well.  Having never been a big Green Lantern fan myself, simply a fan of animation, I went in with minimal knowledge.  The pace of the story progression in this animation is faster than most, but there is allot of story to explain, and the speed does not diminish the overall product.  The story line is a complex one, it is one which deals with the origin of the Green Lantern, the corruption of the  primary lantern, and the explanation of the entire Green Lantern Mythos. The action in first flight packs a wollup but some of the subject matter, and imagery can be disturbing and THIS IS NOT AN ANIMATION FOR CHILDREN as it does show severe violence, drug addiction, and there are spattered instances of vulgarity.  With this entry into the direct to DVD animation race, DC/WB have shown that they are capable of taking their properties and giving them a treatment that will appease the fan base and undoubtedly make it larger.  The two disk addition is worth the extra bucks for fans it has two great episodes of Justice League Unlimited, and a really cute WB animation staring Daffy Duck called the Green Lantoon.  This and some great interviews about the upcoming public enemies, and DC comics event Darkest Night round out a really great offering from DC/WB animation.  They have done another good job.
3970925
Animation was awesome story line was good. It's good to see DC comics has finally raised the level of violence to realistic.
1612981
I saw the reviews that said that the paper was inadequate, but still I believed in DC - They put out great books like the Crisis TPBs with nice glossy paper and such.  Unfortunately, they decided to be cheap here since the paper is exactly like my old comics (without the smell of age).
BUT, this is still the preeminent run of the Justice League that gave us a Guy Gardner that could be loved yet repulsed by as well as the Justice League Antarctica.  This volume was a little more serious than later issues since it was working hard to get more fan appeal during the post Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Overall, if DC would just print this on a slicker paper, it would leap out at readers with the excitement that we felt back in the late 1980's.  This is the book series you need to read because you will enjoy it. Give it a shot - you will see Giffen/DeMatteis/MaGuire et al at their peak!
1079552
Producers/writers Bruce Timm, James Tucker, and Dwayne McDuffie thought that season four would be the end of the series; however, Cartoon Network, which broadcast the show, gave the go-ahead for thirteen more episodes, making for a fifth and final season. Thus, the creative team pulled out all the stops and delivered stories that were tightly woven, brilliantly animated, and superbly acted by regular performers, as well as featured players.

These are some of the most entertaining shows of the five-year-old series.

Acting-wise, Kevin Conroy has had close to twenty years providing the voice of the animated Batman and he knows the character backwards and forward. Kudos should also go to Clancy Brown's "Lex Luthor," Michael Rosenbaum's "The Flash," Carl Lumbly's "Martian Manhunter," Susan Eisenberg's "Wonder Woman," and Maria Canals' "Hawkgirl." And one cannot overlook the contributions of recurring actors and their characters: CCH Pounder ("Amanda Waller), Michael Ironside ("Darkseid"), Powers Boothe ("Gorilla Grodd") and J.K. Simmons ("General Eiling").

The best episodes on the disc are the homage-to-things-past "I am Legion," the delightful "Flash and Substance" and its similarly constructed "The Great Brain Robbery," the reflective "Patriot Act," and the two-tiered punch of "Alive!" and "Destroyer," both which bring back favorite villains Darkseid and Brainiac.

Though billed as a "children's show," there are hints of bestiality, sexual innuendo, political correctness gone overboard, and bloodless battles that feature implied decapitations and/or deaths in massive explosions.

Thus, this isn't your father's "Challenge of the Superfriends" and it may require parental guidance should some questions arise about the characters' actions.
1269819
DC has gotten really good at making these cartoon movies. You would think that they would be for kids, but when really get into them, they have enough content for adults to. I loved that scene where Lois flipped Brianiac the twin birds. The animation is okay, it's not on the level of Katsuhiro Otomo, but who really is? As someone of African-Amerikan decent, I would love to see DC do some toons that include their many "Black" super heroes like Icon and Black Lighting. Furthermore, I'd love to see some that star their more obscure characters like the Question or John Constantine. The one negative about this is the price to own it. I'll be looking for more of these in the future
4299474
Warner Premiere and DC Comics have topped themselves with the Blu-ray / DVD release of "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1." After the release of "Batman: Year One," the only logical choice for the Caped Crusader's next solo animated feature was evident. It was time for Frank Miller's other beloved and critically acclaimed graphic novel to be adapted for the screen.

Frank Miller's "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" not only had an effect on the entire comic book industry, it influenced director Tim Burton to make a serious film adaptation based on the super hero that turned into a multi-billion dollar franchise. Many fans and historians would say it is responsible for the popularity of comic book movies today.

It's been ten years since Batman's last appearance in Gotham City. Bruce Wayne has retired the cape and cowl for a life of tedium and drinking. He meets occasionally with Commissioner Gordon for drinks and to talk about the state of the world. Gordon knows Wayne's secret and is one of his only confidants.

Bruce begins having horrible nightmares about his parents' deaths and witnesses Gotham City digress even further into the depths of depravity at the hands of a new criminal syndicate calling themselves the Mutants. He's driven to suit up once again to take on the homicidal maniacs and show the citizens of Gotham City that they need not live in fear any longer.

"Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1" is the best animated feature film DC and Warner Premiere have released. There's no other way of putting it. It feels epic and holds a cinematic flare that the other entries in the DC animated super hero movie franchise haven't accomplished. That's not to say they aren't good or worthy of praise. However, this takes the medium to a whole new level.

The animation is top notch and, although it doesn't mimic Frank Millers artwork for the book, there's a certain respect towards the unique style of the illustrations reflected in the film. Batman is larger than life and as bulky as the Hulk, but isn't quite as "abstract" as Miller's interpretation of him in the graphic novel. This is as close to a perfect representation of the book as I can imagine.

My only complaint is that there are a few spots where the plot jumps around a bit and gets a little hard to follow. They jump from one thing to the next so quickly with brief or no explanation. The viewer is left to just keep up and embrace the fast pacing once the movie gets rolling.

Peter Weller does a wonderful job bringing an older and weary Bruce Wayne to life. When he hits the streets for the first time in ten years, you can hear the satisfaction in his voice at re-embracing his long-forgotten mission of ridding the streets of Gotham City of the filth and crime that overtakes it.

The Blu-ray version of "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1" consists of quite a few treats for fans. There's a sneak peek of Part 2 and "Batman / Superman: Public Enemies." Two featurettes are included entitled "Batman and Me: The Bob Kane Story" and "Her Name is Carrie... Her Role is Robin." There are also two bonus cartoons from "Batman: The Animated Series" featured. A section of the "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" digital comic is found as well.

"Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1" will be the animated feature all future entries into the DC franchise will be measured by. They've set the bar high with this one. With a spectacular looking and sounding high-definition movie experience and some satisfying special features, this is a recommended purchase for all super hero fans.
943756
As a kid, I used to love Marvel's first "What If" series that presented alternate versions of favorite heroes.

As the series progressed, the scenarios got stretched to the point of "Who Cares?".

Here, some 20+ years later, DC gets the "What If" idea right and presents us with a dark vision of the future of the DCU.

There are many surprised and while for me, the newest Teen Titans series of TPBs and comics have been hit-or-miss, this one was the best of the best!

Even if you have only marginal interest in the characters, pick this TPB up.  You'll be glad you did. (or else the new Batman will stalk you down, and that's a fate worse than the Batman you may know stalking you!)
2896953
After reading the synopsis in the first persons review, I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THIS MOVIE IS GOING TO BE ABOUT BECAUSE I HAVE READ IT BEFORE! This is going to be yet ANOTHER retread of previous material that was in comic book. It's just been done SOOOO many times before. DC is LOUSY with direct to video rehashes of comic stories. SO many you would think that DC animation wouldn't know a original story if it fell on its head! And now a rehash of the marvel ULTIMATE line story. As a comic fan i love that my favorite heroes are getting more exposure. But we already know these stories! How bout something TRULY ORIGINAL? Like a animated story that could fit into and be a part of continuity of the comics?
3237399
I've enjoyed all 4 volumes of this book. I appreciate the editorial notes that help navigate around the major events of the time in DC continuity. Maybe I'm just too much of a completist, but after more than 800 pages and a retail price of almost $100, I'd like to have an ending that feels more like the end. That gripe aside, this volume was full of the fun, and funny adventure that this series is so fondly remembered for. All in all, I'd recommend it. And I'll happily change this rating to 5 stars when the series is continued in some other collected editions.
1681656
In Superman vs. The Elite, the Man of Steel faces his most daunting foe yet: public opinion. In an era where the realities of terrorism and global strife have created a cynical and hardline attitudes about the concept of "justice," Superman's idealistic optimism seems more and more outdated (both in the film, and in the real-world). So when a group of younger super-powered vigilantes known as The Elite appear on the scene, Superman is not prepared for their brutal stance against criminals - nor the resounding public approval that follows.

The greatest super hero in the world soon discovers that changing times and public opinion are not things that even his god-like powers can control. Even with the world turning away from him, Superman must find some way to win back the support of humanity, before The Elite do something truly reckless and get themselves - and/or others - killed in the process.

Superman vs. The Elite is an odd entry in the canon of DC Universe direct-to-DVD/Blu-ray animated features. On the one hand, the story (based on the Action Comics storyline "What's So Funny About Truth Justice & the American Way?") is actually one the most timely and interesting Superman tales to come along in awhile. (It certainly covers thematic ground that bears examination - as the upcoming feature-film reboot Man of Steel will attempt to do next year.)

The story works in this animated feature as well as it did on the comic book page - primarily because the writer of the comic story (Joe Kelly) also wrote this animated feature version. The plot-points - sketching the modern world and how Superman's idealism is outdated; edgy anti-heroes being more popular than classic super heroes - are all directly addressing questions that fanboys and average people alike have been asking - namely, why does Superman still matter?

With The Elite, we get an interesting antagonist - not really evil, per se, just grittier and darker than the classic superhero archetypes. There will no doubt be healthy debate amongst viewers as to whether The Elite are, or are not, the heroes we need in modern times, and whether or not Superman is the dinosaur some claim he is.

While the narrative is intriguing and well-told, the visuals in Superman vs. The Elite leave something to be desired. DC Animation has long been praised (usually in comparison to Marvel Animation) for its character designs and animation quality - but this film looks as though it had a fraction of the usual budget for a DCU animated feature. The character designs are much more cartoony, in a 1950s comic strip sort of way; the quality of movement is also fairly shoddy, which is entirely noticeable during the action scenes. Strangely enough, the film looks like "Superman: The Nickelodeon Version," even though it's dealing with mature material and themes. Blu-ray viewing will only make these discrepancies more apparent.

The voicework in the film is pretty solid, with Superman being voiced by George Newbern - who has been doing animated Superman since the Justice League days in the early 2000s. NCIS star Pauley Perrette has a pretty good go at playing Lois Lane, while The Elite are suitably voiced by some talented character actors - including voice work veteran Robin Atkin Downes, who voices the group's leader, Manchester Black. (He was also the ship computer in Prometheus, the "soccer announcer" in Battleship, and has done voice work in more video games than I'm willing to count).

All in all, Superman vs. The Elite is a Superman flick that's actually interesting to watch for intellectual reasons, but won't blow you away in terms of visual splendor or action. In that sense it's an easy recommend to those who maybe haven't been able to connect with the character in a long time (Batman crowd, looking at you); though it may be less satisfying to the hardcore fans, who already know why they love Big Blue.
1932561
Absolutely amazing documentary on the big bad guys of DC Comics. Christopher Lee narrating it just gave the movie an awesome awe-inspiring feel to it. With many actors, directors, as well as DC artists and designers giving their opinions to their favorite and created heels of DC, this movie is amazing. And it makes a big time point...what came first? The Hero or the Villain?