Green Lantern: Emerald Knights

Review

Common Sense Media says

Violent, animated superhero movie with thoughtful messages.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this animated feature film is rated PG but is consistently violent, with fights and battles throughout. Some weapons are drawn, but only some blue alien blood is seen. Most of the fights use either Green Lantern power rings or martial arts-style punching and kicking. Language includes gateway words like "damn" and "hell."

  • Positive messages3
    Characters debate the existence of destiny/whether people make their own choices. One character makes assumptions and learns that things aren't always as they appear. Other characters argue about loyalty to your family versus the impulse to do the right thing. Most characters come out wiser from their experiences.
  • Positive role models3
    The Green Lantern of Earth is only a minor character in this multi-story movie, but all Green Lanterns are chosen because of their bravery -- or, more appropriately, their ability to overcome fear. Some of the characters are young recruits, and even though they're not sure what to do, they step up to the challenge. Veteran Green Lanterns are sometimes condescending to younger ones, but it's only for show. There's a strong sense of camaraderie and teamwork here. 
  • Violence3
    This is a fairly violent movie, with several fights and battles. Blades are used in battle, but blood is drawn in only one scene (and it's blue alien blood). Mostly the battles consist of Green Lantern power rings and martial arts-style punching and kicking. Some characters die, and some other, darker sequences could be somewhat frightening to younger viewers.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language2
    The movie has fairly frequent language, including "damn" and "hell," as well as "frigging bastards," "crap," "stupid," "my God," and "son of a cur." Additionally, a made-up word, "poozers," is used quite often.
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
CloseExpand to see more details

What's the story?

Upon hearing about an impending attack by the giant Krona, the Guardians of the Universe begin evacuating their home planet. The Green Lantern of Earth (voiced by Nathan Fillion) is mentoring a young recruit, Arisia (Elisabeth Moss), and takes the opportunity to tell her several stories of other members of the Green Lantern Corps. Green Lantern Laira (Kelly Hu) must face her warlord father; a cosmic bully tries to find and fight the most fearsome Green Lantern of all, Mogo; and Sinestro (Jason Isaacs) and Abin Sur (Arnold Vosloo) have a disagreement about destiny. Can Arisia learn enough from these stories to help with the current situation?

Is it any good?

 

At first, GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD KNIGHTS suffers from too many characters and not enough character development; even the main hero, Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern from Earth, only appears for a fraction of the entire running time. Likewise, most of the early episodes seem to be about fighting, which is violent, and -- in an effort to avoid too much gore -- repetitive.

But as the movie goes on, the individual stories become more thoughtful and entertaining; the highlight is the tale of "Bolphunga the Unrelenting" and his search for Mogo. Eventually, the stories begin to rely on simple, clever solutions rather than violent ones. Even the characters begin to emerge as comrades and partners; their teamwork becomes the focus. Working with at least eight writers, three different directors manage to instill the movie with a cohesive look and impressive style.

 

Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the movie's fighting and violence. How intense is it? Is it exciting or overwhelming? How does the movie achieve these effects?

  • Some of the characters in the movie learn hard lessons, such as never to judge a book by its cover or to try to do the right thing even if your family says differently. Which lesson hits you the hardest? Do you agree or disagree with the movie?

  • What does it mean to be able to overcome fear? Is it possible to make fear go away? What is the purpose of fear?

This review was written by Jeffrey M. Anderson
Adult
July 7, 2011
AGE
13
 
Great for Die-Hard Fans, not for Newcomers to the Lantern Story
I recommend this movie for people who like DC Universe and Marvel. You should know a thing or two before you just grab this movie thinking it's going to be mindless superhero entertainment. The movie uses the scope of a young rookie new to the Lantern Corps to delve into memories and flashbacks about previous Green Lanterns. The movie has some great fight scenes and introduces some powerful new lanterns. For anyone who knows about the Lanterns you'll be delighted to see Kilowog and Hal Jordan, even Sinestro among the main cast. The movie was great, it was only a bit over-reaching at times especially with Mogo (you'll get it when you watch it). Things to watch out for: A Green Lantern leader does use the D word and H and says bastards once. Laira, a female lantern, wears an outfit (reminds you of a one piece swimsuit) that sometimes shows part of her buttocks when the camera angle changes (i'm sure this is not a mistake by the animators, but it is dismissable). Overall, a very acceptable movie.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (17) | Had useful details (18) | Read my mind (16)
Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 12 years old
July 1, 2011
AGE
10
 
hored
one of the worst movies i have ever seen
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (18) | Had useful details (13) | Read my mind (16)
Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 15 years old
June 25, 2011
AGE
13
 
no way.
this is a review from my boyfriend. I found that this movie was definitely a pass. i didn't like it at all. the plot of the movie was bad. and it was more of a comedy than an action packed kind of thing.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (16) | Had useful details (13) | Read my mind (18)
Flag as inappropriate 
See all user reviews
This review was written by Jeffrey M. Anderson
Topics:superheroes, adventures
Studio:Warner Home Video
Directors:Chris Berkeley, Jay Oliva, Lauren Montgomery
Cast:Elisabeth Moss, Jason Isaacs, Nathan Fillion
Genre:Science Fiction
Run time:84 minutes
DVD release date:June 7, 2011
MPAA rating:PG
MPAA explanation:sci-fi action violence throughout, and for some language
This review was written by Jeffrey M. Anderson
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

More animated superheroes
For kids who love heroes
Browse more movies
 

vote now

Will you see Green Lantern: Emerald Knights?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Been There? Tell us about it