The Green Lantern
- Director: Martin Campbell
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Comic Book
- Details: US/114mins 12A
- Release Date: 17/06/2011
Reynolds is slick test pilot Hal Jordan, a man chosen by a fallen member of The Green Lantern Corps - an elite group who protect the universe - as the next intergalactic hero. When he wears a special ring powered by the lantern, he can literally make whatever object he imagines appear in front of him - which comes in handy when there's a giant, eh, scary cloud thing called Parallax hurtling towards earth. After some training with cynical Alpha Hero Sinestro, and smooching with Blake Lively's ballsy boss, Hal gets lanterned-up and is ready to do battle with Peter Sarsgaard's warped Dr. Hector Hammon (as well as the aforementioned giant face in a cloud).
A workmanlike director, Martin Campbell is probably best known for his brilliant reinvigoration of the Bond franchise with Casino Royale, but he's never worked on a production with effects this heavy before. True, few helmers have, but the resulting film feels strangely flat when it should be brimming with fun. In fairness to Campbell, the effects are well-handled and some of the action is mildly impressive, but the script is so by-the-numbers and at times clichéd that it'll vex even the most dedicated comic book fan.
There's a wryness to Ryan Reynolds that audiences have now come to expect. He may have been brilliant in the sombre, underrated Buried, but the man was born to play a role like this. Yet here, he's barely given a chance to wax lyrical with some trademark quips, or showcase his admirable comic timing (along with action hero physicality) - so what was the point in casting him? Once again, the Canadian actor is the best thing about a bloated, sub-par production that continuously hints at how great it could have been.
An amusing training session in space; genuine sparks between Reynolds and Lively; a core plot involving a snarling Sarsgaard that could've worked with the inclusion of a pissed-off cloud. There's enough in Green Lantern for a 'pass', and if the audience likes the main character enough to warrant a sequel, then maybe the creases can be ironed out. But as a standalone film, it's simply just too full of could-have-beens.
Review by Mike Sheridan | 09:00 | Friday 17th June 2011 | Movie Review
Comments
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Happy Chappy
I'm going to see this anyway - a bit of action is just what I need!
Posted 13:36 | Wed 15th Jun 2011 -
damienmcd
Reviews have been a bit hit-and-miss but I'll be going to give it a look. Now where did I leave my green spandex suit...
Posted 13:55 | Wed 15th Jun 2011 -
Deli
So painful to watch. Some fantastic back stories that could have been explored were left untouched. Too many pregnant pauses between Reynolds and his leading lady. No laughs, CGI is ok. Lots of Reynolds in some form of undress was appealing - just about!
Posted 20:23 | Sun 19th Jun 2011 -
Patrick Miller
Geez Carnage, I guess you were/are a member of H.E.A.T. then.
Posted 17:13 | Thu 16th Jun 2011 -
Carnage187
Have to disagree with you on this. I was also at the premier last night and For me it is definatley one of the better superhero movies ( batmans not a superhero) and I think 4 stars is well deserved. Reynolds is a class act, the CGI, Motion Capture and 3D in this film is the best Ive seen since Avatar. The movie industry is completley changed and if your going to review films like this and give it 2 and a half stars its gonna be a long list of bad reviews from you to come. Lets hope your a bit nicer to captain american :)
Posted 08:52 | Thu 16th Jun 2011 -
ageofgravity
I could tell this would be more like Fantastic Four and less like X-Men just from the trailer. When they have RR zap into his Green Lantern persona in front of his roommate and go "Now that's what I'm talking about!" (or something equally as corny) I could tell that they went with the fifth-grader approved script. And getting RR to play a superhero was a horrible decision as well but when you've got a crappy script what difference does it make? And to the guy that said Batman's not a superhero? Sure thing chief. He's not gifted superpowers by a shiny ring from outer space but, as far as 99.9999% of moviegoers are concerned, he's absolutely a superhero.
Posted 10:52 | Fri 17th Jun 2011 -
Tommyboy
I liked this film, they put alot more into the effects after the poor reaction from the 1st trailer and it payed off! they really stand out. Ryan Reynolds played the role well and gives a serious yet funny side to the role. the 3D can be avoided, it was post production so dont expect any scenes catered for 3D. The film is pretty loyal in places to its comic background which maybe alot of people arnt getting and thinking it looks stupid. But the story works and if your looking to a good comic book movie to watch you could do way worse. I for one hope to a sequal. well worth the watch
Posted 17:54 | Sun 3rd Jul 2011 -
noel
Was this meant to be a comedy? The funniest movie i have seen in a long time, oh wait it was not meant to be a comedy, So in that case in the top ten worst movies ever made. Looks pretty in places but thats about it. 1 star movie. It has Golden Raspberry written all over its big stupid Green alien face to go with the egg. Avoid at all costs.
Posted 19:36 | Fri 1st Jul 2011 -
clem
Have to say: probably the worst superhero movie in a good while (daredevil bad). thor was better with 3D. xmen was just better in every way. green lantern script was just awful. acting terrible and what the hell was the point in the horrendously underdeveloped sidekick lantern , star wars knock off buddies who apparently had bonded as lifelong cohort chums with reynolds in under 30 seconds. ick.
Posted 20:28 | Sun 19th Jun 2011 -
saphira
loved the green lantern, was fun and great to sit back and be taken in by the story. would highly recommend it.
Posted 15:07 | Tue 21st Jun 2011 -
DoubleLetter
This film looks atrocious.
Posted 19:32 | Mon 20th Jun 2011
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