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| Justice League - The New Frontier (Two-Disc Special Edition) | 
 enlarge | Director: Dave Bullock
Actors: Phil Morris, Neil Patrick Harris, Lucy Lawless, Miguel Ferrer, David Boreanaz
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $24.98
Buy New: $16.90
You Save: $8.08 (32%)
New (48) Used (16) Collectible (3) from $11.55
Avg. Customer Rating:  166 reviews
Sales Rank: 6241
Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Special Edition, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), Portuguese (Original Language)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 75
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 1000036793
UPC: 883929008483
EAN: 0883929008483
ASIN: B000PFSYO4
Theatrical Release Date: February 26, 2008
Release Date: February 26, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Inspired by the best-selling graphic novel by Darwyn Cooke and produced by the multiple Emmy? award winning animation legend Bruce Timm The New Frontier is the epic tale of the founding of the Justice League. Superman Batman and Wonder Woman are all here of course and so are Green Lantern Martian Manhunter and Flash - whose incredible origins will be told for the very first time. Strangers at first these very different heroes must overcome fear and suspicion to forge an alliance against a monster so formidable even the mighty Superman can not stop it. If they fail our entire planet will be ?cleansed? of humanity.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ANIMATION/DC COMICS UPC: 883929008483 Manufacturer No: 1000036793
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| Customer Reviews: Read 161 more reviews...
 The Edge of a New Frontier February 25, 2008
45 out of 58 found this review helpful
The creative team behind "Superman: Doomsday" and "Justice League Unlimited" explore the origins of the Justice League in the latest action-packed animated adventure "Justice League: The New Frontier". Set in the 1950s, the US Government has taken serious actions against superheroes despite their heroic efforts. When a powerful entity threatens to exterminate all mankind, the world's greatest heroes must put their differences aside and band together to form the ultimate fighting force, the Justice League of America. Based on the award-winning graphic novel by comic book writer Darwyn Cooke, "Justice League: The New Frontier" is an amusing 75-minute animated feature that pays tribute to the Silver Age of DC Comics. Its strong and mature storylines are inspiring. The character designs, action sequences and slick animation style are among the animated film's strongest points. "The New Frontier" features the fine voice talents of David Boreanaz, Lucy Lawless, Jeremy Sisto, Neil Patrick Harris, Miguel Ferrer, Brooke Shields, Kyra Sedgwick and Kyle Maclachlan.
"Justice League: The New Frontier" 2-disc Special Edition blows away any previous DC Universe direct-to-video DVD. The animated adventure is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen format. The picture quality is excellent. Its 5.1 Dolby Digital sound is clear with good surround effects. The DVD includes the revealing "Super Heroes United", "The Legion of Doom" and "Comic Book Commentary" documentaries, two in-depth audio commentaries with filmmakers and comic book writer Darwyn Cooke, three bonus "Justice League Unlimited" episodes (The Dark Heart, Task Force X & To Another Shore), trailers and an exclusive sneak peek of the upcoming "Batman - Gotham Knight". Overall, "Justice League: The New Frontier" scores an "A-".
A Nostalgic Treat for Silver Age DC Fans... February 29, 2008
42 out of 45 found this review helpful
I admit, I'm a child of the Silver Age of DC Comics! I grew up on Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Lantern, the Atom, Adam Strange...and especially the Justice League of America. So I admit, "Justice League - The New Frontier (Two-Disc Special Edition)" brought a lump to my throat...it was like being a kid, again!
Based on Darwyn Cooke's remarkable, nostalgic reworking of the birth of the Silver Age heroes during the transitional 1950s, the animated film homages the characters I grew up, loving (especially test pilot/Green Lantern Hal Jordan, the Martian Manhunter, and police scientist/Flash Barry Allen), in the context of the era, a decade of Communist paranoia, McCarthy witch hunts, the birth of the Space Age, and struggle for racial equality. One element Cooke 'lifted' from Frank Miller's "Dark Knight" epic, that of the government ordering superheroes to 'stand down', fits this saga exceptionally well, with Superman as the only 'approved' hero, Batman refusing to, thus becoming a wanted fugitive, and the 'Golden Age' heroes forced into retirement (I was disappointed not seeing more of the JSA, other than in the opening credits, but there are a LOT of characters that DO appear!)
Of course, a new, unstoppable, super-powered villain (the primeval, immortal 'Centre') picks this time to eradicate the human race, quickly knocking Superman out of the battle, and requiring the new generation of heroes, teamed with Batman and Wonder Woman, to save the world.
There are SO many touches I loved! A reworking of Hal Jordan's origin as Green Lantern; the romances of Supes and Lois Lane, Jordan and Carol Ferris, and Barry Allen and Iris West; heroes I hadn't seen in years (the Challengers of the Unknown and the Blackhawks), fighting along side Adam Strange, Green Arrow, Aquaman, and even a pre-Atom Ray Palmer; the superhero 'Air Force', with Wonder Woman's invisible airplane, and the Bat-plane and Arrow-plane. Admittedly, many characters don't get much screen time, but with a cast this large, it is understandable (it would be a problem of the ever-growing JLA of the comics, as well).
I have to mention the voice talent involved, as the casting was dead-on! David (TV's 'Angel') Boreanaz as Jordan, Neil Patrick Harris ('Doogie Howser') as Allen, Kyle ('Twin Peaks') MacLachlan as Superman; Lucy ('Xena') Lawless, a PERFECT Wonder Woman, Kyra ('The Closer') Sedgwick as Lois, Brooke Shields as Carol, Vicki Lewis as Iris...this is truly an all-star affair! Two voice performers deserve special recognition; Miguel Ferrer is exceptional as the Martian Manhunter, combining an alien aloofness with compassion; and Jeremy Sisto has, arguably, the BEST voice for Batman I've ever heard...he really IS the Dark Knight!
While I admit Darwyn Cooke's original story far outshines the film (original stories nearly always do), as someone who only sporadically looks at comics, these days, "Justice League" is a fabulous 'blast from the past'.
Thank you, DC!
 The Beginning of The Justice League April 15, 2008
32 out of 33 found this review helpful
First of all, I will say this about this production...They cram a lot of DC comic history in less than 80 minutes of cartoon. The question is "Is it worth it?" I dont know
Second, I will say this has a big name cast to fill the boots of these Characters. Kyle Maclachlan bring a different to Superman. Neil Patrick Harris (who did the MTV version of Spiderman) is the Flash. Lucy Lawless (Xena) proves she is a vocal amazon as Wonder Woman. David Borenaz (Buffy's favorite vamp Angel) lifts the chracter of Hal Jordan to new heights. Miguel Ferrer and Kyra Sedgwick are wasted in the roles of the Martian Manhunter and Lois Lane. Law and Order Jeremy Sisco put a new spin on Batman.
They also have vocal stunt casting of great audio talent who have a throw away line or three. People like Joe Mantegna, Phillip Morris and Brooke Shields are part of this large cast, but are wasted with a few throw away lines.
The story is faithful to Darwyn Cooke's two part graphic novel. He also does one of the two audio commentary tracks. It still seems too rushed. Bruce Timm could have taken a bigger risk and done this as a three hour cartoon project, but I will take what I have
The production is a higher standard then most cartoons made for video, but when you push the envelope like Superman Doomsday (aka the Death of Superman), you need is push the time and the story past 80 minutes.
There is a trailer , on this DVD, for the next made for DVD animated feature, Batman Gotham Knight...It looks good! Dont forget to watch this!
On the Whole, it is worth giving this animated feature an airing
Bennet Pomerantz Audioworld
 fantastic until the 45 minute mark January 27, 2008
30 out of 62 found this review helpful
Like another reviewer mentioned, if you saw the first 20 minutes of the film, you would have high hopes for the rest, but around the 45 minute mark, things fall apart.
I've never read the graphic novel it is based on and my comments are on the film itself.
The film starts off promisingly with a mysterious man writing about the end of humanity before killing himself. It is 1953, and the US is coming off yet another war, and the start of the cold war. The Justice Society has been disbanded, with members hunted by the government in an era of McCarthyism. People are suspicious of each other and their motives. Even the super heroes question what is right and wrong.
Despite all the turmoil, heroes like Batman work underground as a mysterious cult envelopes the world and clues about something or someone called, "The Centre" may spell doom for man kind. Along the way, characters such as Hal Jordan, the Martian Manhunter, Flash, et al, are introduced, eventually coming together to face whatever this "Centre" is.
The action builds at a great pace, as more and more about the characters and this "centre" are revealed until the 45 minute mark when the centre just appears. Then it becomes an all out battle, with all the superheroes of the world uniting under superman who reminds the world that in the grand scheme of things, all the bickering is petty when the fate of the world is at stake.
unfortunately, this battle is the downfall of the movie. It's as if halfway through, the funding was cut and the movie had to end quickly. The fantastic build-up of the "centre" plot are dropped as if it was of no consequence. He or It, just becomes another bad guy. No explanation is giving to why "the centre" appears out of nowhere, how he effects people psychicly, and where he came from. A detective character, who is implied to be the Martian manhunter in disguise, or maybe not, is dropped. Why the martian manhunter goes after the space shuttle launch is not made clear, and his assimilation happens too quickly.
You know the good guys win in the end, but the climax is all too deus ex machina and cliched that it is a disgrace to what preceeded it. If you've seen the, "hero knows nothing about his powers, but at the pivotal moment becomes more powerful than all the other superheroes combined and able to take down the evil entity that was previously too much for all the superheroes" in at least 30 of the recent justice league cartoons, this will feel tired.
Voice acting is solid. animation is great. But the first 45 minutes are so well done, that you may feel bitter and angry the remainder is so disastrously poor.
Great source material, Great Direction November 28, 2007
28 out of 122 found this review helpful
The source material for this DVD is among the best takes on the Justice League I have ever seen (I was a kid when I read the first issue of the Justice League). This, combined with Bruce Timm who did the wonderful Justice League TV series, convinces me to give this 5 stars without even seeing the DVD. I understand the problem of taking a written work and putting it on screen given the time constraints however if anyone can take the best and put it on screen it is Bruce Timm. This will be a late present for my 57th birthday.
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