Justice League: The New Frontier Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Justice League: The New Frontier" in its newest Blu-ray release holds up admirably well, showcasing a solid improvement over its initial 2008 version. Utilizing an AVC MPEG-4 codec, this new edition rectifies some previous issues, notably reducing banding and compression artifacts. While the master source hasn't changed dramatically, the overall picture quality benefits from enhanced modern encoding techniques. The colors remain warm and cheery, with a slight watercolor aesthetic, aligning with the minimalist animation style. Fine detail is excellent, and inky blacks add depth to the visual experience. Although some residual banding can still be seen occasionally, it is less pronounced than in the earlier VC-1 encoded version.

In this 1.78:1 aspect ratio presentation, colors are generally well-rendered, though occasionally a bit muted. A minor critique is the blurring in some action sequences, a technique once employed to lend realism but now somewhat distracting and largely abandoned by DC Animation in recent years. Despite these few moments, the film's visual clarity and vibrancy stand out. The reduced use of distracting effects ensures that the rest of the movie's aesthetics shine, marking this version as a noteworthy update for fans and collectors. Overall, this re-encoded presentation offers a satisfying visual upgrade that aligns well with modern expectations of Blu-ray quality.

The audio presentation of "Justice League: The New Frontier" on Blu Ray features a robust 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track, a change from the original 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track present in earlier releases. This shift does not appear to introduce significant alterations in audio quality, maintaining the dynamic range and impressive surround usage known from the original release. The track is characterized by immersive surround activity and potent LFE support, enhancing the lively action scenes inherent to the animated film. Vocals are adequately centered and well-positioned, ensuring clarity and coherence throughout.

Warner and DC's execution of this audio rendering continues to live up to their reputation for delivering engaging audio experiences. Dialogue remains clear and well-separated, primarily emanating from the front center channel, with no evident technical issues or glitches. While the track may not qualify as reference quality, it is undoubtedly an enjoyable experience, delivering a fun and immersive sonic environment. This release also includes additional 5.1 Dolby Digital tracks in Spanish (Castilian) and Portuguese, as well as 2.0 Dolby Digital tracks in Spanish (Latin) and French. Accompanying subtitles further support accessibility in multiple languages, including English, French, various forms of Spanish, Portuguese, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish.

The Blu-ray extras for "Justice League: The New Frontier" offer rich content that delves deeply into the making and history of this beloved comic adaptation. The comprehensive commentaries from Darwyn Cooke, the original comic's creator, and a roundtable of key filmmakers, provide invaluable insights into the creative process and decisions behind the film. Featurettes cover a wide spectrum, from a nostalgic look at Darwyn Cooke’s artistic legacy to thorough retrospectives on the Justice League's history and pathologies of its villains, ensuring both casual viewers and dedicated fans find substantial value. The inclusion of a sneak peek at "Batman: Gotham by Gaslight" adds a tantalizing preview of upcoming content, solidifying this release as a treasure trove for enthusiasts of the DC Universe.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Bruce Timm, Michael Goguen, David Bullock, Stan Berkowitz, Andrea Romano, and Gregory Noveck.
• Audio Commentary: Writer/Artist Darwyn Cooke.
• Featurette: Retro Action Cool: The Story of Darwyn Cooke.
• Featurette: Super Heroes United! The Complete Justice League History.
• Featurette: The Legion of Doom: The Pathology of the DC Super Villain.
• Featurette: Comic Book Commentary: Homage to the New Frontier.
• Gotham by Gaslight Sneak Peek.

"Justice League: The New Frontier," now re-released as a Commemorative Edition, stands out notably among DC's animated films with its unique setting and tone. Based on Darwyn Cooke's limited comic series, the film transports viewers to 1950s America, encapsulating the era's Cold War tension and propaganda. Unlike most modern, often dark and gritty animated superhero films, it opts for an optimistic, retro vibe reminiscent of the Golden Age of Comics. The visual style borrows from classic 60s animation influences, adding to its nostalgic appeal. Narratively, it diverges from the densely serialized stories typical of DC animations, presenting a standalone plot filled with both new and familiar characters navigating a world where superheroes are outlaws.

On a technical level, this edition improves upon the original 2008 release by transitioning from VC-1 to AVC encoding and upgrading the audio from Dolby TrueHD 5.1 to DTS-HD MA 5.1. This results in a clearer, more dynamic audiovisual experience. Despite these enhancements, it retains the original's charm and distinctive patriotic undercurrent. The animation style echoes a modern take on classic Looney Tunes aesthetics, making for a visually engaging experience.

The story is straightforward but teems with subplots and character introductions, sometimes feeling overstuffed within its 75-minute runtime. Star-studded voice acting from the likes of Kyle MacLachlan, Lucy Lawless, and David Boreanaz brings life to an ensemble cast but occasionally feels disjointed due to the sheer volume of characters and intersecting storylines. Nonetheless, "Justice League: The New Frontier" offers a refreshing departure from contemporary superhero narratives, focusing on hopeful themes and the origins of beloved characters like Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter. Overall, it’s a solid entry in DC’s animated filmography, particularly for fans of its unique retro appeal.

"Justice League: The New Frontier" stands as a pivotal entry in the DC animated universe, held in high regard for its ambitious storytelling and distinctive animation style. This Blu-ray release showcases visually stunning 1.78:1 AVC encoding and an immersive English DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio track, with French and Spanish tracks available in DD 5.1. Encompassing a runtime of 75 minutes and maintaining a PG-13 rating, the film captivates viewers with its compelling narrative, though it occasionally struggles with the constraint of its average runtime.

Directed by Dave Bullock and featuring a star-studded voice cast including Lucy Lawless, Miguel Ferrer, David Boreanaz, and Neil Patrick Harris, the film excels in both performance and visual execution. While the updated video codec enhances the viewing experience marginally compared to earlier releases, it may not be sufficient for those already in possession of the 2008 edition. An additional bonus feature is included alongside the DVD and Digital Copy, which marks a first for this title in home media, increasing its value for new buyers.

The packaging, especially the SteelBook edition, is a collector's delight with its striking presentation inside and out. Despite the film’s packed storyline feeling somewhat rushed within its limited timeframe, "Justice League: The New Frontier" remains a gratifying watch filled with nostalgic appeal. For newcomers or those without the previous release, this edition’s upgraded visuals and supplementary items make it a worthwhile acquisition.

The New Frontier is a fun film, but it's entirely too busy for its own good, which is the one downside to the animated flick. The voice acting is solid, the animation and tone is simply fantastic, but it doesn’t hold up as well as other DC animated universe entries due to it being TOO ambitious while still sticking to the average 1:15:00 runtime that these films seem to take on. The nicety of getting a slightly better-looking encode from WB is much appreciated, as the VC-1 codec was dated, but the audio (even with the change of encoding wrappers) and the extras mirror previous editions. The addition of DVD and Digital Copy is notable, and the packaging art and slipcover are excellent. Collectors will also appreciate the steelbook version available. Since the film is out of print and sought after, this new edition is perfect for those who haven’t watched it yet. For those with the original 2008 release, deciding to upgrade may be challenging due to only slight quality enhancements and identical extras. Still a fun watch.

Technical Specifications:

Starring: Lucy Lawless, Miguel Ferrer, David Boreanaz, Neil Patrick Harris

Directed by: Dave Bullock

Written by: Stan Berkowitz, Darwyn Cooke

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 AVC

Audio: English: DTS-HD MA 5.1, French, Spanish DD 5.1

Studio: Warner Brothers

Rated: PG-13

Runtime: 75 Minutes

Blu-ray Release Date: October 3rd, 2017

Recommendation: Fun Watch