MOVIE OF THE WEEK #2 (6/17/11): GREEN LANTERN
KEY CAST MEMBERS: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Mark Strong, Peter Sarsgaard, Angela Bassett, the voices of Geoffrey Rush and Michael Clarke Duncan, Tim Robbins, Taika Waititi and Temuera Morrison
WRITER: Greg Berlanti, Michael Green, Marc Guggenheim and Michael Goldberg; based on characters appearing in comic books by D.C. Comics
DIRECTOR: Martin Campbell
WEB SITE: http://greenlanternmovie.warnerbros.com/
THE PLOT: An origin story amalgamation of the most popular storylines/characters in the long-standing D.C. Comics franchise of the same name, Green Lantern begins by explaining that the universe as we know it is part of a larger universe divided into sectors. These sectors are protected by an army of troops assembled by immortals known simply as The Guardians, the protectors of each sector being the Green Lanterns, including the bird-like Tomar-Re (voiced by Geoffrey Rush) and brutish Kilowog (voiced by Michael Clarke Duncan). (Think of them as Navy Seals for the universe and you'll star to get it if you're having trouble following along.)
Well, as fate would have it, a powerful force that is the living embodiment of fear - Parallax - has broken free from his prison in the lost sector and is now bent on wreaking havoc, destroying various sectors until it can eventually destroy the Guardians home planet of Oa. The Green Lanterns - the leader of the pack being Sinestro (Mark Strong) - are charged with fighting of Parallax, although they are not as knowledgeable of its power as he originally is led to believe. In battling Parallax, Abin Sur (Temuera Morrison), one of the strongest Lantern troops there is, is injured and crash lands on earth ...
Meanwhile, Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) is a test pilot working for Ferris Aviation, whose president (Jay O. Sanders) hopes to sell a new line of fighter pilots. Of course, this means there must be a demonstration of the new planes - which don't succumb to the errors of humans - against Hal and Ferris Aviation's other top pilot Carol (Blake Lively), who also just happens to be the president of the company's daughter. And Hal being the cocky star pilot he is, you can imagine what happens on the day of the big demonstration.
While Hal feels the pressure to live up to the legacy of his late father (who was also a pilot), Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard) is having just as much if not more trouble living up to the one of his living parent, Senator Hammond (Tim Robbins). A very smart fellow, Hector has never really had his turn in the spotlight. Of course, when he gets called in to a top secret facility by Dr. Amanda Waller (Angela Bassett) to investigate a top secret discovery, Hammond embraces the moment for all its worth ...
So how do all of these things become connected in a way that will not only determine the fate of mankind but possibly the entire galaxy as well?! You'll just have to watch and find out!
THE TAKE: Let me say this before I say anything else: I, as did the majority of the people at the preview screening I attended, enjoyed the film more than did not. In fact, I will be as so bold as to say whereas Thor bored me, Green Lantern kept me enthralled enough to make me want to watch it 'til its final frame. (X-Men: First Class is still the best superhero movie release of the spring thus far ... Whether or not Captain America: The First Avenger will dethrone it remains to be seen.)
That being said, Green Lantern, however, is not without its flaws. There are times that, like the aforementioned movie about the Norse god, the humor injected into it feels just like that - injected, not organic. While some people will be refreshed by Reynolds' serious attempt to make Hal Jordan deeper than a comic book sketch, others might feel he's still too hip for the room at times in a way that's detrimental to a super hero. Likewise, where some (like myself) feel that Lively adds a nice mix of strong femininity without being too, let's just say a word that rhymes with "itchy," that forces Hal to grow up, others might find her to be too much of a wet blanket.
There is no denying, however, Sarsgaard's performance as Hammond, for he displays the perfect mix of vulnerability that makes his oh-so-deliciously-evil turn to well, evil, excellent. Whereas a lot of superhero movies focus all on the hero (or in the rare case, make the film all about the villain), Green Lantern gives you a great mix of both, making each character compelling to the very end.
PARTING SHOT: If keeping track of all the interconnected intergalactic activity and dealing with the Star Wars Jedi-like training Hal Jordan must go through is a bit too much for you, Green Lantern might not be the superhero for you. However, if you are someone who enjoys a 1980s-style Superman-like superhero story where the payoffs overcome the sappy/corny/long-winded moments, you'll be happy to carry its torch.
RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN)*:
*EDITOR'S NOTE: This movie was ALMOST given a three bucket rating ... Take that information for what you will!
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