Martin Campbell’s film adaptation of DC Comic’s Green Lantern fails to engage the audience. The third superhero release this summer (behind Thor and “X-Men”), Green Lantern falls flat compared to other more successful comic flicks.
While the team behind the film looks stellar on paper (Martin Campbell directed Casino Royale, Grant Major was the production designer for the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Michael Goldenberg, one of the four screenwriters that penned Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix), unfortunately, even these heavyweights were not able to create a film that connects with viewers.
When the evil Parallax threatens to destroy the universe, the Green Lantern Corp chooses its first human Guardian, Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds), a cocky test pilot dealing with unresolved issues following his father’s death. Hal must look within and eliminate all fear and insecurity in order to strengthen his will (which ultimately provides his superpowers). Can he prove that the human race, being the youngest and most flawed among all planets in the universe, can in fact rise to the occasion and ultimately save the world from destruction?
The least unbearable aspect of the film is perhaps the cinematography, and the special effects required to create a visually stunning planet where most of the Green Lanterns reside, Oa. Aside from this, the acting was one-dimensional and almost amusing (for all the wrong reasons). Blake Lively, while impressive in “The Town,” was painful to watch in her role as Hal’s love interest and childhood friend Carol Ferris. Ryan Reynolds did his best to deliver a few laughs, but otherwise is miscast as a superhero. Tim Robbins and Peter Sarsgaard, both very talented, were simply not given enough of a script to work with.
It’s a shame the plot and acting fell short in what could have been a great superhero film. Green Lantern, as a character, had the potential to outshine others. His vast and diverse toolkit of weapons (created by imagination and force of will), coupled with his ability to fly and travel to other planets in the universe, theoretically should make him a hugely entertaining act to watch. Unfortunately, without a solid storyline, our superhero wasn’t able to save us from boredom and disappointment.
[etRating value=“ 2”]
It’s a shame the plot and acting fell short in what could have been a great superhero film. Green Lantern, as a character, had the potential to outshine others. His vast and diverse toolkit of weapons (created by imagination and force of will), coupled with his ability to fly and travel to other planets in the universe, theoretically should make him a hugely entertaining act to watch. Unfortunately, without a solid storyline, our superhero wasn’t able to save us from boredom and disappointment.
[etRating value=“ 2”]
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