Movie Review: Green Lantern...He's My New Hero!

Movie Review: Green Lantern (3D)….He’s my new hero!

Release Date: Advance screening Thursday, June 16, 2011 at LA Film Festival /(Nationwide) Friday, June 17, 2011

Rating: ★★★★★★

“In brightest day, in blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil’s might, Beware my power… Green Lantern’s light!”

: Green Lantern movie poster – Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures. TM & © DC – © 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Green Lantern is an exhilarating, intense, exuberant theatrical experience I won’t soon forget! My love for Ryan Reynolds who plays Hal Jordan/Green Lantern was the impetus for my excitement over the movie but after seeing the film, it’s so much more than its hunky star. There are a lot of reviews out there that bash the film but as a consumer and movie lover, I’m basing my review on two simple questions – Is the film entertaining and was it worth my time? Answer – Yes, absolutely to both!

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I didn’t read the Green Lantern comic books, but I watched the 1973-1986 animated series Super Friends and All-New Super Friends religiously after school every day. (I love Wonder Woman!) I didn’t know much about Green Lantern except he was…well green. Those who are loyal and devoted fans may have differing opinions on the current film but after seeing it, the Green Lantern is my new hero! Reynolds captures the character of Hal Jordan, an arrogant and egotistical test pilot, with such charisma, engaging the audience with his version of the famed superhero. Reynolds’ off-beat humor is sprinkled lightly throughout the film but never overpowering it, which would have turned this film into something much campier. There is one humorous line that really made me chuckle. When a disgruntled ex-employee of Ferris’ company tells Hall to “watch your back,” Hal retorts, “That’s impossible.” I love that the humor isn’t heavy; there’s just enough to amuse you but not bombard you. The overall tone of the film to me was intense excitement mingled with anxious anticipation and a cherry on top.

The 3D imagery is fantastic! I got that giddy feeling of going to the planetarium in grade school because I felt like I was in space watching the action unfold before my eyes. With the stunning visual effects as well as the sound effects, the element of surprise caught me off guard a few times.

I won’t bore you with the background or history of the Green Lantern. Instead I’ll skip to telling you a bit about the film without spoiling it.

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A frightening enemy, known as Parallax (voiced by Clancy Brown), has escaped and threatens to destroy not only civilization but entire planets. Abin Sur (Temuera Morrison) is mortally wounded after trying to recapture his prisoner, forcing him to find the nearest planet with intelligent life forms. He crash lands on Earth and the light of his ring must find someone worthy to replace him. After Hal Jordan is brought to a dying Abin Sur, he’s unsure of what it all means until he triggers the lantern and recites the oath. There were some comedic turns as Hal tries to recite an oath, any oath, including this nugget, “To infinity and beyond,” which is from Disney’s Toy Story films. Hal even tries incorporating parts of the Pledge of Allegiance. Of course, he finally manages to trigger the lantern, thus catapulting him through space until he reaches the planet Oa.

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Tomar-Re, L (voiced by Geoffrey Rush), Kilowog, C (voice by Michael Clarke Duncan) with Hal, R (Ryan Reynolds) on planet Oa. Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures. TM & © DC – © 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Here he is fitted with his Green Lantern suit and meets his instructors: Tomar-Re (voiced by Geoffrey Rush), who shows him how the ring works and how it is powered by will and Kilowog (voiced by Michael Clarke Duncan), his “trainer” of sorts. He spares no sympathy and shows no leniency towards Hal just because he’s a human. Sinestro (Mark Strong) is angry that the ring chose a human. He revered Abin Sur not only as his friend, but as one of the best of the Green Lantern Corp. You can feel the disdain dripping from his lips as he taunts Hal. I love Strong! He is one of my favorite actors – he’s so versatile. I absolutely loved him in Rock n Rolla.

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Carol Ferris (Blake Lively), Hal Jordan’s love interest and also a pilot, has her hands in the business end of things as well. With a government contract on the table for her father’s, Carl Ferris (Jay O. Sanders) company, the stakes are high. I’ll admit I had some reservation about Lively being cast as the female lead. I’ve seen enough episodes of Gossip Girl, in which Lively plays the rich and sometimes vapid Serena van der Woodsen, to lead me to believe she might not be the right fit for such a huge action juggernaut as Green Lantern. However, Lively surprised me with her performance. Was it Oscar® worthy? No, but she did a good job. However, this isn’t a film about Carol Ferris’ character (who later becomes Star Sapphire. I won’t go into detail, just Google it.) It’s a film about Hal Jordan becoming part of the Green Lantern Corp.

: Peter Sarsgaard as Hector Hammond ; Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures. TM & © DC – © 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

The creepy villain,Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard), makes you seriously think twice about pissing off any nerds. Sarsgaard does such a phenomenal job of embodying his character. You want to empathize with him while ostracizing him at the same time. His demeanor is that of a closet lovelorn serial killer who just happens to be a brilliant scientist. Although I believe in the comics, he was just a petty thief who happened upon a meteor fragment to gain his power. After his father, Senator Hammond (Tim Robbins), recruits him, Hector examines the remains of Abin Sur’s body, thus becoming ‘infected’ with a negative anti-matter, remnants of Parallax’s composition. From there, a horrifying transformation occurs as Hector realizes what’s happening and enjoys it more than he ever thought he would.

I could gush about this film for ages. Of course, any chance to see Ryan Reynolds semi-nude wearing just his underwear is enough for me. By the way, he makes tidy-whiteys look good…real good.

For a really fantastic and entertaining experience, go to the movies and see Green Lantern in (3D). Opens today, Friday, June 17, 2011

VIDEO CLIP: L to R: Geoff Boucher of LA Times led a short panel discussion with director Martin Campbell, Mark Strong (Sinestro), and producer Donald De Line. The video clip below is mostly for the audio rather than visual. Sorry – if I’d known Mark Strong was going to be there, I would have been better prepared. As such, this is what I got.

Director Martin Campbell answering a question then Mark Strong gives his answer regarding the reasons he was drawn to the role including a tid-bit about Sinestro being married to Abin Sur’s sister.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.