Official Green Lantern News & Discussion Thread - Part 10

[KalMart]

Why on Earth (pun intended) would they need to focus the sequel on space instead of terra firma...?

Look: Hal Jordan (and his successors) are the *human* Earthling Green Lanterns of this sector. Easily the majority of their comic book issues take place right here on Earth, and even the space issues almost always revolve around an alien threat to Earth.

"Too much Earth" isn't even remotely the problem with GL. The "problem" with GL is simply that mainstream audiences aren't interested. There is nothing innately WRONG with GL in terms of story, acting, directing or concept. It is what it is: Green Lantern. And, just like in the real world of comic fandom, Green Lantern is an acquired taste that not many people ever acquired.

How GL could have benefitted:
1) Make the movie more epic, by making it longer. The battle scenes were short as hell; the training sequence virtually nonexistent. Give Hal more time to interact with Kilowog, Tomar-Re and Sinestro....show more alien GLs....give Hal an introductory shakedown mission on some alien world that doesn't relate directly to the main Parallax plot.
2) John Stewart. Seriously. GL purists will howl, but honestly, those Hollywood liberal reviewers who cast about aimlessly looking for some legitimate reason to hate the movie would have been heaping nothing but praise on it if it featured a black movie star in the central role. And face it: there's a large portion of younger moviegoers who know GL *only* through the Justice League cartoons.

From the sound of it...the problem with GL isn't so much that audiences aren't interested in GL...they aren't interested in bad moviemaking in this case. Granted...perhaps there is some truth to GL having to overcome the whole glowing green shapes and rhyming oath stuff. But a story/film that was actually good could have gone a long way towards helping that.

Are fighting robots that turn into vehicles cooler, in concept, than an intergalactic protection force with power rings? Looking at TF2's performance......yeah........yeah they are. But that should mean that it's even more important for a GL movie to have a great story that's presented in a clever and engaging way....not just a low-maintenance soda-pop fun way or what have you.

Don't set out to make a GL/Flash/WW/etc. movie that happens to be really good as a bonus. Set out to make a really good movie that happens to be about GL/WW/Flash/etc. as a bonus.

 

[chiefchirpa]

Are fighting robots that turn into vehicles cooler, in concept, than an intergalactic protection force with power rings? Looking at TF2's performance......yeah........yeah they are. But that should mean that it's even more important for a GL movie to have a great story that's presented in a clever and engaging way....not just a low-maintenance soda-pop fun way or what have you.

Don't set out to make a GL/Flash/WW/etc. movie that happens to be really good as a bonus. Set out to make a really good movie that happens to be about GL/WW/Flash/etc. as a bonus.

TF as a concept is always loved by kids and young adults alike. I don't think there's ever a time where GL toys are more desireable than TF toys. TF concept was what elevated and saved the second film from a bad film making to a modest success.

GL, in a gist, is a superhero with a ring. That concept maybe hard to digest for adults. Green neon lighting also doesn't help either. Then come the aliens faces from a bad Episode One ripoff.

 

[Mysteryman]

Those shots weren't as stunning as the rest, but I felt the lighting/camera work was absolutely perfect in those scenes.

The upcoming July issue of American Cinematographer will have an article about the Cinematograpy of Green Lantern.
I thought you might like to know that .

 

[WeasleyIsRKing]

I think GL suffers from the concept of choice. Hal doesn't have a choice. The ring is thrust upon him. Most other superheroes choose their path. They choose to do what they do. It doesn't seem like Hal does. He is chosen, and he's like...well, ok. I guess. Its not as compelling as Batman, Supes, X-Men, Spider-man, etc. They all choose to do what they do.

 

[KalMart]

TF as a concept is always loved by kids and young adults alike. I don't think there's ever a time where GL toys are more desireable than TF toys. TF concept was what elevated and saved the second film from a bad film making to a modest success.

GL, in a gist, is a superhero with a ring. That concept maybe hard to digest for adults. Green neon lighting also doesn't help either. Then come the aliens faces from a bad Episode One ripoff.

All the more reason why GL needs good and original storytelling/filmmaking to make a splash.

 

[Liam_H]

I think GL suffers from the concept of choice. Hal doesn't have a choice. The ring is thrust upon him. Most other superheroes choose their path. They choose to do what they do. It doesn't seem like Hal does. He is chosen, and he's like...well, ok. I guess. Its not as compelling as Batman, Supes, X-Men, Spider-man, etc. They all choose to do what they do.

I disagree that Hal doesn't have a choice. Before he gets the ring I've always seen him as a character that is irresponsible, undependable, and somewhat selfish. Still a good person overall. But when he does get the ring he has to commit to serving the Corps. The ring does choose the person but it doesn't mean it forces Hal to do his duty. In the movie it is shown very poorly why Hal decides to take on that responsibility.

Similar to Spider-Man, he could've just kept his powers a secret and gone on with his life. The first and second movie show very well why Peter can't hide and do nothing.

 

[KalMart]

I disagree that Hal doesn't have a choice. Before he gets the ring I've always seen him as a character that is irresponsible, undependable, and somewhat selfish. Still a good person overall. But when he does get the ring he has to commit to serving the Corps. The ring does choose the person but it doesn't mean it forces Hal to do his duty. In the movie it is shown very poorly why Hal decides to take on that responsibility.

Similar to Spider-Man, he could've just kept his powers a secret and gone on with his life. The first and second movie show very well why Peter can't hide and do nothing.

So why did the ring 'choose' Hal instead of someone more responsible, dependable, and selfless? Did the ring have a choice?

 

[Liam_H]

So why did the ring 'choose' Hal instead of someone more responsible, dependable, and selfless? Did the ring have a choice?

Well in the first draft as fan services it passed by Guy Gardner and Clark Kent. But I believe (at least its how I interpret it) the reason Hal was chosen was because he had the 'ability to overcome fear'. The plot was to show that Hal is worthy despite all those faults. Tomar-Re even states that the ring always chooses someone for a reason and that it does not make a mistake. In the movie I guess they wanted us to see how noble/heroic or that he has great will by trying to fight Parallax alone. But how he got to that point is poorly done.

The first draft it showed Hal refusing the ring at first because he thought Parallax wasn't his problem. But in the end he sees that he can save people and do good with the ring. We even see him risking his life to defeat Parallax on Oa. The movie we got showed none of this character arc.

 

[WeasleyIsRKing]

I agree KalMart...the writers were beating us over the head with how irresponsible, unreliable, and selfish Hal was. I never got why the ring did chose him. I think that is where they missed the boat. Making that point more. Why deep down Hal is a good guy. Why he is Green Lantern. That should've been the point of the movie. But alas, it was not...

 

[Liam_H]

I agree KalMart...the writers were beating us over the head with how irresponsible, unreliable, and selfish Hal was. I never got why the ring did chose him. I think that is where they missed the boat. Making that point more. Why deep down Hal is a good guy. Why he is Green Lantern. That should've been the point of the movie. But alas, it was not...

I believe it was the point of the movie but it was just done so so poorly; the message is never clear. It's frustrating that I can see an interesting movie in there but they just chopped it to bits and gave us the worse parts.

 

[KalMart]

Well in the first draft as fan services it passed by Guy Gardner and Clark Kent. But I believe (at least its how I interpret it) the reason Hal was chosen was because he had the 'ability to overcome fear'. The plot was to show that Hal is worthy despite all those faults. Tomar-Re even states that the ring always chooses someone for a reason and that it does not make a mistake. In the movie I guess they wanted us to see how noble/heroic or that he has great will by trying to fight Parallax alone. But how he got to that point is poorly done.

The first draft it showed Hal refusing the ring at first because he thought Parallax wasn't his problem. But in the end he sees that he can save people and do good with the ring. We even see him risking his life to defeat Parallax on Oa. The movie we got showed none of this character arc.

I dunno...I would have chosen that Kent guy....who'd fight Parallax no matter whose problem it was without even asking him to...even without a ring.

 

[Liam_H]

I dunno...I would have chosen that Kent guy....who'd fight Parallax no matter whose problem it was without even asking him to...even without a ring.

Yes, would love to see Superman as a Green Lantern. Although that GL symbol, where all the lanterns gather, looks like a giant piece of kryptonite.

 

[KalMart]

Yes, would love to see Superman as a Green Lantern. Although that GL symbol, where all the lanterns gather, looks like a giant piece of kryptonite.

That'd be funny as hell if it was.

Q: Why aren't there any Kryptonian GL's?

A: Because all they do is puke and gag when they come to Oa.

 

[Liam_H]

That'd be funny as hell if it was.

Q: Why aren't there any Kryptonian GL's?

A: Because all they do is puke and gag when they come to Oa.

The Guardians probably thought why not, there are no more Kryptonians left it can't hurt anyone, it would be a shame to let something so shiny and green go to waste.

Kal-Mart I'm wondering since you've read how such a disappointment this movie is. Are you still planning on seeing it or are you just gonna wait for the home release?

 

[WeasleyIsRKing]

I believe it was the point of the movie but it was just done so so poorly; the message is never clear. It's frustrating that I can see an interesting movie in there but they just chopped it to bits and gave us the worse parts.

I agree with you Liam H. There was definitely potential here in GL. It suffered from the lack of a clear direction. Why should I care about Hal or any of these characters?

 

[Liam_H]

I agree with you Liam H. There was definitely potential here in GL. It suffered from the lack of a clear direction. Why should I care about Hal or any of these characters?

Exactly, if a sequel miraculously happens; it has to do what this movie failed at. Make us care for Hal, Sinestro, etc. If they skip all that character stuff then this potential franchise will just be Fox's Fantastic Four.

 

[KalMart]

The Guardians probably thought why not, there are no more Kryptonians left it can't hurt anyone, it would be a shame to let something so shiny and green go to waste.

Kal-Mart I'm wondering since you've read how such a disappointment this movie is. Are you still planning on seeing it or are you just gonna wait for the home release?

Honestly....I wasn't that interested in seeing it to begin with unless it was a big success/great reviews/reaction. So if I can't think of any other movies to Netflix, I might give it a whirl.

 

[Liam_H]

Honestly....I wasn't that interested in seeing it to begin with unless it was a big success/great reviews/reaction. So if I can't think of any other movies to Netflix, I might give it a whirl.

That's a shame, but sadly its true this movie is not worth a trip to the theater. But its reasonable for a slot on your queue for some of the better scenes in the movie.

 

[KalMart]

That's a shame, but sadly its true this movie is not worth a trip to the theater. But its reasonable for a slot on your queue for some of the better scenes in the movie.

With an itchy finger on the skip-ahead button.

Who knows, though....I might like it.

 

[Liam_H]

With an itchy finger on the skip-ahead button.

Who knows, though....I might like it.

If you do then I envy you...be another 'SuperDaniel' and defend this movie to no end.

 

[Saint]

There is nothing innately WRONG with GL in terms of story, acting, directing or concept.

No, there definitely is. Lackluster plotting and scripting constitute the chief problem with the film.

And, just like in the real world of comic fandom, Green Lantern is an acquired taste that not many people ever acquired.

This is also wrong; take a look at the sales charts some time. Green Lantern is consistently one of the highest selling books in the industry.

 

[Supermanreturns]

Marvel Studios was supposed to release Thor in the summer IM2 came out and IM2 this year before Cap. IM2 was supposed to act as a segwey film for The Avengers, unfortunately that didn't work because they needed another origin/buffer film to come out before. The screenplay had a last minute polish and rewrite to make up for this change and it obviously shows.

And IM2 was forced to comes out in 2010 because of Ant-Man's postpone.

 

[Raiden]

And IM2 was forced to comes out in 2010 because of Ant-Man's postpone.

I hope Marvel learned from their mistake with IM2 and try not to rush any movie anymore in the future. IM2 could've been great if the screenplay was better, and they botched it.

 

[Rowsdower!]

I agree KalMart...the writers were beating us over the head with how irresponsible, unreliable, and selfish Hal was. I never got why the ring did chose him. I think that is where they missed the boat. Making that point more. Why deep down Hal is a good guy. Why he is Green Lantern. That should've been the point of the movie. But alas, it was not...

Hmmm... sounds like the plot of another movie... what was it...

the writers were beating us over the head with how irresponsible, unreliable, and selfish Thor was. I never got why Odin chose him. I think that is where they missed the boat. Making that point more. Why deep down Thor is a good guy. Why he is the god of thunder. That should've been the point of the movie. But alas, it was not...

 

[misjuevos]

Why on Earth (pun intended) would they need to focus the sequel on space instead of terra firma...?

Look: Hal Jordan (and his successors) are the *human* Earthling Green Lanterns of this sector. Easily the majority of their comic book issues take place right here on Earth, and even the space issues almost always revolve around an alien threat to Earth.

i get what you are saying. but im tired of earth already. just from all the superhero movies before gl came out. i like cosmic stuff more. also he is the lantern of an entire sector not just earth. there are more planets in 2814 than just earth to patrol. abin sur is from 2814. we could see his home planet maybe see how his death effects his family or at least see hal patrol the sector.