An Overly Complex Plot Hinders Heroics

Aldis Hodge voices John Stewart in an overly complex DC Universe animated adventure. Green Lantern: Beware My Power dives deep into the mythology of two core Justice League characters. We learn what happens to Hal Jordan (Jimmi Simpson), viewed as the greatest Green Lantern, and why the Guardians chose another to wield his Power Ring. There’s a lot going on here to a fault. A mystery drives the primary narrative of a galactic war with devastating consequences. Themes of betrayal, unhinged ambition, xenophobia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) muddy the superhero waters. Competent animation and action scenes moderate the pacing. The film just needed a leaner, less detailed plot to keep your attention focused.

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John Stewart (Hodge) returns from the Middle East a troubled man. The Marine sniper and Medal of Honor recipient is haunted by his actions during battle. He tries to defend the homeless against Detroit street punks. Local police aren’t thankful for his assistance. Stewart trudges home on a fateful night. He’s shocked to see an alien ship crash before him. And even more stupefied when its blue-skinned pilot disintegrates after giving him a strange green ring.

Stewart cannot remove the ring no matter how hard he tries. He freaks out when the Power Ring (Sunil Malhotra) starts guiding him on its use. He’s able to manifest physical energy with his thoughts. A confused Stewart asks for help. He’s whizzed to the Watch Tower hovering above Earth. Martian Manhunter (Ike Amadi), Vixen (Keesha Sharp), and Green Arrow (Nolan North) don’t know what to make of this interloper. Where is Hal Jordan?

A trip to Oa, the planetary headquarters of the Green Lantern Corps., must be taken for answers. They find horror and destruction. The Guardians and the Corps have been decimated. An attack by a fierce warrior, Hawkgirl (Jamie Gray Hyder) of Thanagar, adds to their confusion. She claims her hated enemy, the Rannians, have perpetrated these ghastly crimes. John Stewart and Green Arrow must wade through a river of deceit to find the true puppet master behind the savagery.

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Characters, Concepts, and Situations Without Exposition

Green Lantern: Beware My Power drops a lot of information quickly. I’m not a Green Lantern novice and had some difficulty staying on track. The film introduces characters, concepts, and situations with little initial exposition. I believe this was done purposely to build intrigue. It doesn’t work if audiences are unfamiliar with what they’re seeing. The Justice League characters are a given. The political history between Thanagar and Rann is explored in the comics but not common knowledge. The story takes better shape with second act reveals. The problem is that there may be head-scratching until that point.

The film ambitiously targets divisive issues. Racial and ethnic distrust causes conflict. John Stewart, a black veteran who’s experienced the fog of war, serves as a mitigating presence. He understands that blind condemnation of an unseen adversary is illogical. He looks beyond enflamed passions and rhetoric to see hard truths. Stewart’s innate toughness, pragmatism, and compassionate nature defines his destiny. This is why he was chosen to be a Green Lantern. The filmmakers deserve credit for bold ideas, but the execution, unfortunately, falls short.

Green Lantern: Beware My Power is a production of DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation. It will be available July 26th on 4K UHD Blu-ray and digital download from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

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