Film Review - Green Lantern: Beware My Power (2022)

The DC Animated Universe has been steadily releasing films since 2007 and Green Lantern: Beware My Power is its latest instalment. In this film, recently discharged marine John Stewart finds himself struggling to fit into civilian life. One fateful night, Stewart happens across what appears to be a crashed spaceship where the extra-terrestrial being inside gives him an unusual ring. Now imbued with strange powers that he doesn’t understand, Stewart finds himself caught up in an interplanetary war.

Green Lantern: Beware My Power is an origin story and as such it does dedicate a certain amount of time to introducing Stewart as a character. Whilst this is good for those unfamiliar with the character, it may prove slightly wearisome for die-hard fans. In fact, that statement can pretty much be applied to the entire film. Green Lantern: Beware My Power is a film that is fine for those who need a basic introduction to the characters within but try to dig any deeper than that and the film is sadly lacking. This feels like a surface level story and the slight running time feels longer than it is.

That being said, the film does provide some fun courtesy of its voice cast. Aldis Hodge provides the voice of Stewart, and his dulcet tones are perfect for Stewart who is hard to ruffle in spite of the crazy situation he has found himself in. Jimmi Simpson takes on the voice of Green Arrow and he provides plenty of light relief, with dialogue delivered with humorous precision. Green Lantern: Beware My Power is at its best when Stewart and Green Arrow are bantering and exchanging jibes. The entire voice cast, which also includes Jamie Gray Hader, Keesha Sharp, Ike Amandi and Brian Bloom, does do a solid job in bringing the characters to life.

One of the most frustrating aspects of Green Lantern: Beware My Power is that, in spite of introducing Stewart and his backstory, it simply does not spend enough time on Stewart as Green Lantern. Ironically for a Green Lantern film, this film ends up feeling more like a Justice League film and for those with a love of Green Lantern then this is a real disappointment. In this way the title feels a little misleading.

Overall, Green Lantern: Beware My Power is a solid effort but is unlikely to inspire much enthusiasm beyond that. It is not brightest day, and it is not darkest night – it is just alright.