Official Green Lantern News & Discussion Thread - Part 9

[Mr. Earle]

Hmm... that would have been interesting. But I always thought fist you should develop Hal's relationships with everyone on Earth first. You need to go back to them at the end of the film. I think the problem with the Earth scenes were that they were so damn bland and thin to be interesting.

You should first establish who Hal is first who and what surrounds him that makes him like this. Then throw in the GL Corps into the plot. If you understand Hal, then you will pull for him on Oa. Develop a bit camaraderie with Sinestro and such. The sequels would give time to delve into the mythology so much more. But for here, in order for Hal to overcome fear, it all goes back to his father and the people he's let down. I really though the first draft balanced these things well, despite its flaws.

A great ending would have been Hal flying the jet without fear and letting go of the memories that plagued him.

I'd be great if his family showed up to the airfield. He says his goodbyes to them and Carol. He lets Jack hold onto his ring for a bit. He then goes into the plane as Hal and flies high as he can, with the good memories of his father, he finally lets go. It would be a very cathartic moment. Then while Jack is holding the ring, it flies out of his hand and goes upwards into the sky, Hal floats out of the jet and transforms into the GL suit, then from the sky he flies up into space and meets Sinestro.

Imagine something like this song juxtaposed against this scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEVCE6aTmhw

You sir need to apply to DC.

 

[The Morningstar]

Yea Doc Jones, that sounds pretty good.

Much better than the utter turd we got.

 

[Venom'sDad]

I didn't think this movie was going to be good... that's unfortunately. I too thought Ryan was miscast. Hal is more serious than a character like Deadpool... which more fit the persona of Ryan comedic acting chops. I certainly think this film will go the route of Hulk(Ang), if there's a sequel.

 

[dnno1]

This movie is about as lifeless as Abin Sur. I always knew Reynolds was a miscast, and the terrible script didn't help him any either. Only redeeming moments was the terribly misused Mark Strong's Sinestro. Parallax shouldn't have been as laughable of a villain as it is, Hector Hammond was unbearabe to watch, and Oa was wasted. Please, don't watch this movie.

1.5/5

I don't know what movie you watched, but the one I saw was a great film (even in 2D). I think there were some folks that thought that there would be more scenes set in space, but outside of the first 10 minutes and the training scenes on Oa there wasn't much presented

Spoiler

(maybe one battle scene with a hand full of GLC members led by Sinestro).

You might want to blame that on the advertising. They tried to sell this as DC's version of Star Wars and some folks mistook that to mean that it would be set entirely in space (which is not necessarily the case with Hal Jordan's experiences as the emerald crusader).

The acting done by each of the main cast members (Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Mark Strong, Peter Sarsgard, Tim Robbins, Angela Basset, and Taika Waititi) was surprisingly good, especially that of Lively, who had been unduely criticized by many all over the Internet for her acting abilities. She portrayed a very strong female role and it seemed like it was effortless for her. Frankly, I wouldn't mind seeing both Reynolds and Lively paired up again in a completely different film. I also liked the rapport between Jordan and Kalamaku and hope to see more of that in a sequel. The film was loaded with Easter eggs and vague nods to other films, but unfotunately,

Spoiler

Nick Jones Jr.'s role as John Stewart was left on the cutting room floor (I really hope it wasn't because he boasted about being in the film on Titter last year, which was supposed to be a no no).

I am very curious as to what else was left out of the film and look forward to seeing the deleted scenes and/or a director's cut of the picture.

Yes, Reynolds had his quips, but after talking to a friend who is not a comic book fan, it seems like there are folks that expect to see Reynolds being funny when they go to see one of his films. I know we comic book fans want our characters to be serious and taken seriously, but we should also realize that there are people who come to movies expecting to get a laugh every now and then. The comedic spots were minuscule at best and were not any better or worse than what you might see in a Spider-Man or Iron Man flick.

As far as the running time, 105 minutes was plenty of time to tell this story. In the theater I went to, I got to see about 15 to 20 minutes of previews (one of them being the trailer for the new Green Lantern animated series that will be on Cartoon Network this fall), so you were in the seat for about 2 hours in all. I did not see a trailer for "Captain America: The First Avenger", but I did see the latest trailer for "Transformers: Dark of the Moon", the Henry Cavil-Mickey Rorke film, "Immortals" (which looks like a warm-up flick for Cavils role as Superman in his next film), and "Cowboys and Aliens" ("Transformers",and "Immortals" being the more interesting). Speaking of time, there were some that criticized the amount of time that was allowed to train Jordan being not adequate, but in truth, when you have the most powerful weapon in the universe that is only powered by your will and imagination, and you put it in the hands of a former military serviceman (an top gun Air Force pilot), who more than likely has been trained in combat anyway, I don't really think that there needs to be much physical training required.

Like I said before, this was a great film (fun to watch) and I plan on seeing it again in 3D (I couldn't go to the 3D picture since the time it started, which was 45 minutes later, conflicted with my wife's schedule - she had to go to work afterwards and didn't want to be late). The CGI and VFx was not bad at all and should not be and excuse for any shortcomings with the film. Just like in other reports, the audience applauded at the end of the picture. I give this film a 7 or 8 out of 10 (which is 3.5 to 4 stars), and anyone who rates it lower than that is smoking something as far as I am concerned. Now, there might be several reasons why the critics gave it poor reviews. Mainly because the genre wasn't their cup of tea, they expected something else (i.e. more space scenes), or that they didn't understand the Green Lantern mythology (which I think is the biggest reason). I realize that these people are very busy, but in all honesty, it might be better to watch a film more than once before you give a film review. There might be things you didn't understand that you could comprehend after watching it again.

 

[Doctor Jones]

You sir need to apply to DC.

Yea Doc Jones, that sounds pretty good.

Much better than the utter turd we got.

Thanks. In the first draft the ending was Hal saying goodbye to Carol and then flying into space to meet Sinestro. That was solid enough. But that idea with him letting go of the bad memories while flying high in the jet has been there for about a year. I thought Campbell was capable of something like that.

And a good memory to cut between Hal flying into the sky in the jet would be for an 8 year old Hal to be in the cockpit with his father and he's showing him the controls to the plane. As the intercutting builds with the music, you first see Hal's father's hands grabbing and touching the controls and a behind shot of him in the seat, thinking he's the only one there. But then you see a small hand enter the frame and put his hand and the larger hand or Hal's father hand grabbing Hal's hand and guiding it on the controls.

Then you see them smiling and laughing. The sun is going down but it goes back to adult Hal in the jet going higher in the sky with the sun shining bright in the cockpit. He finally opens his eyes and when he lets go, he gets out of the cockpit, with the ring floating onto his finger just in time and he transforms. His head drifts into frame as he floats upwards, with the sun disappearing and space becoming more visible. Then he's in space looking out at it. Sinestro has been there. But we now see him. All of this is done through imae and music. No dialogue of any kind. Until Sinestro speaks from behind as Hal looks out into space.

They say a few exchanges of lines then they fly into space.

 

[chiefchirpa]

Even Ryan Reynolds should do his dream role in Deadpool first to wash out all the bad GL 1 memories, and then go with the more well-thought out sequel.

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

As a former Ghost Rider hyper, this thread is Déjà vu.

 

[The Morningstar]

Even Ryan Reynolds should do his dream role in Deadpool first to wash out all the bad GL 1 memories, and then go with the more well-thought out sequel.

Reynolds is a cool guy, I feel bad for him. The first movie where he is the main star... and it turns out like this.

There is an interview a few pages back where this woman is asking him about all the bad reviews. His reply?

"...Well this movie is trying to be as close to the comics as possible. It's like the comic brought to life".

lol he knows this movie is a steaming pile, if that's the only positive thing he can say about it.

 

[DieSmiling]

Reynolds is a cool guy, I feel bad for him. The first movie where he is the main star... and it turns out like this.

There is an interview a few pages back where this woman is asking him about all the bad reviews. His reply?

"...Well this movie is trying to be as close to the comics as possible. It's like the comic brought to life".

lol he knows this movie is a steaming pile, if that's the only positive thing he can say about it.

Just out of curiousity, why are you spending such a large amount of time on a message board for a steaming pile?

 

[KalMart]

As a former Ghost Rider hyper, this thread is Déjà vu.

As is the movie, apparently.

 

[The Morningstar]

Just out of curiousity, why are you spending such a large amount of time on a message board for a steaming pile?

Because i like talking about movies, comic book movies in particular, good or bad.

And i'm an ******* and i think it's funny seeing fanboys come up with lame excuses for this movie.

 

[dnno1]

Just out of curiousity, why are you spending such a large amount of time on a message board for a steaming pile?

That guy's a troll.

 

[DieSmiling]

Because i like talking about movies, comic book movies in particular, good or bad.

And i'm an ******* and i think it's funny seeing fanboys come up with lame excuses for this movie.

Oh, okay, so you admit that you're trolling. Move along then.

 

[Russell Nash]

What the movie should have been...

The film starts out in an unnamed war in the Middle-East. Hal Jordan is a hot-headed rookie Air Force pilot on his first real mission flying. In a lapse of intelligence communication between agencies, Hal accidentally kills two children used as decoys by the enemy. Upon learning of this, Hal quits the Air Force and loses all hope in himself and in humanity.

Flash forward to the present. Hal Jordan is a man drinking himself into an early grave. Living in the shadow of his legendary deceased father isn't an easy thing. Hal is revealed to be working for Ferris Aircraft as a test pilot, like his father who died in a freak accident. Hal Jordan is the only man "stupid" enough to act as a human guinea pig for Ferris and appears to have a death wish. Carol Ferris, the daughter of the owner of Ferris, is an active member of the company and takes an interest in Jordan tempting fate. The two develop an understanding but never initially hit it off, Carol being the butt end of Jordan's jokes/quips.

On the anniversary of his father's death, Jordan test pilots a new multi-million dollar jet that could potentially break all air speed records. Jordan pushes the jet beyond its capabilities and crashes it, barely escaping alive, unlike his father. After the accident it's revealed that Hal Jordan had been drunk on the job. After a heated argument, Carol fires Jordan and urges him to get help for his alcoholism. Jordan replies that he would get help if he truly cared what
What the movie should have been...

happened to him and explains that he died a long time ago.

Hal Jordan, in desperate need of emotional relief, finds solace at the bottom of a bottle at a local bar. Hal gets into a bar fight and is kicked out after a brutal beating. Jordan wonders the outskirts of Coast City and witnesses what he believes to be an airplane crash. Rushing to the scene to help, Jordan finds a dying alien named Abin Sur. Abin Sur explains his situation and gives Hal his power ring, claiming that it chose him. Oblivious to what Abin Sur is saying, Jordan thinks he's hallucinating and reluctantly takes the ring and power battery. Abin Sur's ship suddenly goes critical and explodes, destroying all evidence of the alien contact. Hal Jordan miraculously survives after being shielded in green energy and is left with the ring and battery.

Jordan wakes up in his dingy apartment and assumes that he just had a bad night of drinking. Dirty dishes are everywhere and the mail is piled on tables, most are final notices. To his surprise, Jordan finds the power battery and ring from the previous night.

The movie progresses with Hal Jordan misusing his ring for personal gain (beating up the people he got into a fight with at the bar), not learning from his past mistakes.

The alien, simply known as Sinestro, who injured Abin Sur in a fight, is looking to collect his power ring. He searches for Hal Jordan, leaving bodies in his wake. Carol Ferris tracks Hal Jordan down in concern and wishes for him to re-think his life. Hal reveals his new power to Carol and the two have a "can you read my mind" flying scene ala Superman: The Movie. Sinestro suddenly appears and almost kills Hal and Carol. Sinestro explains how he used to be a Green Lantern, but has learned that fear will always conquer courage and willpower.

Not believing in himself and his destiny as a great Green Lantern from Abin Sur, Hal gives up the ring. Sinestro wreaks havoc on Coast City, almost destroying it in a fury of fear and rage (riots break out and people turn on one another). Hal has flashbacks of the collateral damage incident killing two children, his fathers death and decides that for the first time in his life, he must stand up against the fear that has crippled him in his life.

Hal Jordan is once again almost killed by Sinestro, but Hal Jordan tells Sinestro that the ring has no power of its own. The power of a green lantern comes from within and is a testament of the strength to persevere in the darkest of times. Hal Jordan recites the green lantern oath. The green lantern uniform burns through his normal clothes and he defeats Sinestro, who is overcome by his own fear. Hal Jordan tells Carol Ferris that he's taken her advice and has joined a cause bigger than himself. He flies into the sky in a blur of green light, Hal truly is fearless and has emerged as an Emerald Knight in the darkest of times.

 

[Mr. Earle]

So it is my understanding that the movie just jumps around without things having a natural progression or gravity. It also spends way too much time on earth and the other GLs barely appear. Then Sinestro and a team of them fail where Abin Sur failed as well, but then Hal Jordan beats Parallax by himself. Goddamn it Geoff, will you get off Hal's ****?

That's it right? Damn...

 

[TheVileOne]

Yeah that is sort of what happens. The transitions are very awkward. Speaks of a lot of "fixing" in the editing room in the past few months.

 

[Primal Slayer]

So it is my understanding that the movie just jumps around without things having a natural progression or gravity. It also spends way too much time on earth and the other GLs barely appear. Then Sinestro and a team of them fail where Abin Sur failed as well, but then Hal Jordan beats Parallax by himself. Goddamn it Geoff, will you get off Hal's ****?

That's it right? Damn...

Parallaxs hate for Abin and his ring is what allowed Hal ro win in the end since his sole attention was trying to kill Hal and not noticing Hal was leading him into a potential trap that happened to pay off.

 

[Mr. Earle]

Why did Parallax hate Abin anyway? Sorry for the question, havent seen the movie yet.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Why did Parallax hate Abin anyway? Sorry for the question, havent seen the movie yet.

because abin imprisoned him.

 

[HighFivingMF]

Why did Parallax hate Abin anyway? Sorry for the question, havent seen the movie yet.

Spoiler

Abin Sur was Lantern that imprisoned him on Planet Ryut in the Lost Sector.

 

[Mr. Earle]

Thanks guys!

 

[ClarkLuther55]

Oh, okay, so you admit that you're trolling. Move along then.

He's not trolling from what I've seen. Big deal if he doesn't like the movie. Apparently, a lot of people don't like it.

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

As is the movie, apparently.

Sadly, yes. Ironically Superherohype gave Ghost Rider a positive review, and GL a negative one. I haven't seen the latter, so maybe all this negative comments and lower expectations will make this movie better than I think it will be?

 

[Aesop Rocks]

I don't know what movie you watched, but the one I saw was a great film (even in 2D). I think there were some folks that thought that there would be more scenes set in space, but outside of the first 10 minutes and the training scenes on Oa there wasn't much presented

Spoiler

(maybe one battle scene with a hand full of GLC members led by Sinestro).

You might want to blame that on the advertising. They tried to sell this as DC's version of Star Wars and some folks mistook that to mean that it would be set entirely in space (which is not necessarily the case with Hal Jordan's experiences as the emerald crusader).

The acting done by each of the main cast members (Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Mark Strong, Peter Sarsgard, Tim Robbins, Angela Basset, and Taika Waititi) was surprisingly good, especially that of Lively, who had been unduely criticized by many all over the Internet for her acting abilities. She portrayed a very strong female role and it seemed like it was effortless for her. Frankly, I wouldn't mind seeing both Reynolds and Lively paired up again in a completely different film. I also liked the rapport between Jordan and Kalamaku and hope to see more of that in a sequel. The film was loaded with Easter eggs and vague nods to other films, but unfotunately,

Spoiler

Nick Jones Jr.'s role as John Stewart was left on the cutting room floor (I really hope it wasn't because he boasted about being in the film on Titter last year, which was supposed to be a no no).

I am very curious as to what else was left out of the film and look forward to seeing the deleted scenes and/or a director's cut of the picture.

Yes, Reynolds had his quips, but after talking to a friend who is not a comic book fan, it seems like there are folks that expect to see Reynolds being funny when they go to see one of his films. I know we comic book fans want our characters to be serious and taken seriously, but we should also realize that there are people who come to movies expecting to get a laugh every now and then. The comedic spots were minuscule at best and were not any better or worse than what you might see in a Spider-Man or Iron Man flick.

As far as the running time, 105 minutes was plenty of time to tell this story. In the theater I went to, I got to see about 15 to 20 minutes of previews (one of them being the trailer for the new Green Lantern animated series that will be on Cartoon Network this fall), so you were in the seat for about 2 hours in all. I did not see a trailer for "Captain America: The First Avenger", but I did see the latest trailer for "Transformers: Dark of the Moon", the Henry Cavil-Mickey Rorke film, "Immortals" (which looks like a warm-up flick for Cavils role as Superman in his next film), and "Cowboys and Aliens" ("Transformers",and "Immortals" being the more interesting). Speaking of time, there were some that criticized the amount of time that was allowed to train Jordan being not adequate, but in truth, when you have the most powerful weapon in the universe that is only powered by your will and imagination, and you put it in the hands of a former military serviceman (an top gun Air Force pilot), who more than likely has been trained in combat anyway, I don't really think that there needs to be much physical training required.

Like I said before, this was a great film (fun to watch) and I plan on seeing it again in 3D (I couldn't go to the 3D picture since the time it started, which was 45 minutes later, conflicted with my wife's schedule - she had to go to work afterwards and didn't want to be late). The CGI and VFx was not bad at all and should not be and excuse for any shortcomings with the film. Just like in other reports, the audience applauded at the end of the picture. I give this film a 7 or 8 out of 10 (which is 3.5 to 4 stars), and anyone who rates it lower than that is smoking something as far as I am concerned. Now, there might be several reasons why the critics gave it poor reviews. Mainly because the genre wasn't their cup of tea, they expected something else (i.e. more space scenes), or that they didn't understand the Green Lantern mythology (which I think is the biggest reason). I realize that these people are very busy, but in all honesty, it might be better to watch a film more than once before you give a film review. There might be things you didn't understand that you could comprehend after watching it again.

So, my opinion can't be my opinion? I honestly don't care if you like this movie or what you think of it.

 

[Aesop Rocks]

Also, the movie I would have wanted to of seen would have been the dynamic duo known as Abin Sur and Sinestro being the main Green Lantern characters through out the movie, while Hal's personal/Earth life develops and he overcomes his personal fears and past. Making Hal being chosen be much more of a pay off in the end. Parallax could still be in the movie, sure. Abin Sur could have imprisoned him, but died in the process. The ring chooses whoever it feels is worthy, so he didn't need to crash to Earth.