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For those unfamiliar with the comics themselves, Hal Jordan seems a bit of a cipher. Denied entry in the terrific Justice League cartoon, his previous appearances are limited mostly to the old Superfriends TV show, which made him about as exciting as watching paint dry. First Flight rectifies that immediately, bringing a combination of daredevil insouciance and wide-eyed wonder to the role courtesy of voice actor Christopher Meloni. Plucked from a routine flight simulation, Jordan inherits the power ring of a dying Green Lantern, charged with protecting the galaxy from evil both great and small.
The character's traditional origin takes place within the first few minutes, getting the basics out of the way before throwing our hero in deeply over his head. The rest of the Green Lantern Corps soon comes looking for their fallen comrade, led by the authoritarian Sinestro (voiced by Victor Garber), who wants to see what the new kid is made of. Jordan, all piss and vinegar, suddenly finds himself amid the alien vistas of the stars, treated like a child and forced to prove himself against supremely exacting standards.
Naturally, there's a fiendish plot afoot (and if you know anything about the comics, you can probably guess who's behind it), which affords Jordan the opportunity to prove himself to his newfound comrades. First Flight hobbles itself somewhat with the interminable exposition required to keep it all clear: who's doing what to who, what that funny yellow crystal is for, why Sinestro periodically sneaks off, and so on. Director Lauren Montgomery (who also helmed the Wonder Woman cartoon) responds with a number of dazzling set pieces that take full advantage of the outer space setting. In many ways, it's boilerplate Star Wars material, but the brilliant colors and exquisite sense of movement render the various chases a joy to behold. (Parents should be warned though: Some of the violence is extremely graphic, especially for a cartoon.)
First Flight scores further points by developing its hero/villain dynamic exceedingly well. Sinestro initially views Jordan as a protégé, and his ability to acknowledge the human's strengths when no one else can underscores his frustration at the Corps' seeming short-sightedness. Jordan responds with barely concealed bravado, willing to be taught but sticking resolutely to his ethical guns. When they come to blows, it's more than just opposites in conflict: We see how they got there, which bolsters the terrific fights with a solid sense of character. First Flight takes significant liberties with the core comics, and yet Montgomery has homed in on the characters' unique traits so well that no one beyond the most bitter holdouts will mind the alterations.
This should come as no surprise to DC Universe fans, who have seen the series steadily improve with each new DVD. Previous entries couldn't quite separate themselves from the Big Three (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman), and the confidence with which the producers undertake First Flight bodes extremely well for future second-tier DC heroes. More importantly, it gives viewers less focused on the comic books a first-rate look at a character they may not be familiar with: respectful yet exciting, colorful yet serious, upbeat yet with a proper sense of gravitas. Montgomery, writer Alan Burnett, and the rest of the crew have honed this process to jeweled precision; First Flight reaps their hard-earned rewards.
