The Official Green Lantern Review Thread - Part 5

[protocida]

Well, but then what is the point of the Green Lanterns if they only assist GL's?

Well, in the Script, they had already captured Parallax/Legion, and Hal was asking for help against Hammond. The Guardians was just being *****.

 

[Rock Sexton]

The problem with that whole angle is that they did nothing to establish the Guardians besides saying "they're there, they harnessed the green energy of willpower, and they formed the GL Corps." It would have been helpful to depict the general contempt the Guardians, Sinestro and the GLC have for Earth because of how primitive Earth is in comparison to basically every other species in the universe. Secret Origin makes a point of getting to this and it plays into why they are skeptical about Hal in the first place. Earth still has political borders, fights wars amongst themselves etc. In essence, humans are so backwards we do everything we can to hold ourselves back from joining the community of species in the universe.

And even then, it's a crazy idea to me because that means they've ejected the part of GL mythos that has the White Entity of all life buried on Earth. The Guardians aren't fans of humans, but they're not about to let Earth get decimated because they want to keep that little secret under wraps.

Rock, your criticisms of the Guardians are well made and I'll just say it's a running theme in the Green Lantern comics and a sticking point between them and Hal Jordan(and every other human GL) as well as Sinestro. It's the emotionless demeanor of the Guardians that has essentially led to all the problems of the various Corps now spawned from the emotional spectrum in the GL comics. How that got overlooked in the film is beyond me, because that would have done a good deal to develop at least that aspect of the story. The Guardians, with the exception of Ganthet, are *****.

Understood. Make this movie's theme over a trilogy instead of the 1 hour 45min drive by, then perhaps you might have the makings of an intriguing story.

 

[Rock Sexton]

Well, in the Script, they had already captured Parallax/Legion, and Hal was asking for help against Hammond. The Guardians was just being *****.

Yes, but aren't they protectors of the Galaxy regardless of what planet a certain GL is from? Or are you saying GL's are only responsible for his own planet?

 

[Liam_H]

Well, in the Script, they had already captured Parallax/Legion, and Hal was asking for help against Hammond. The Guardians was just being *****.

Then Hal risking his life by going into the battery to defeat Legion/Parallax with no guarantee that they will help stop Hammond on Earth. All he got was a quick nod from Sinestro and he would've done something cause that's how bada** he is.

 

[Poni_Boy]

Yeah that makes more sense; then Batman has a vendetta against car companies without 5 star safety ratings, as oppose to crime.

Exactly. In the film, Hal has no motivation to be fearless, only reckless

 

[SuperDaniel]

Poni, your criticims are so absurd that im not going to even go down this route again. I'm done with this.

I'd just simply ignore you since this thread became "the official GL Flaming" thread instead of review.

 

[SuperDaniel]

Yes, but aren't they protectors of the Galaxy regardless of what planet a certain GL is from? Or are you saying GL's are only responsible for his own planet?

As far as I knew, GLs aren't allowed to go to other sectors or something. 2814 is Hal`s business.

 

[Poni_Boy]

Poni, your criticims are so absurd that im not going to even go down this route again. I'm done with this.

I'd just simply ignore you since this thread became "the official GL Flaming" thread instead of review.

Seems to be that you just can't answer the barrage of questions thrown at you. You chose to place yourself as the beacon of righteousness against our criticisms, not one put you there. Like I said earlier, you didn't have to start coming in and insulting our intelligence for not liking the movie. A simple "I love it regardless of it's flaws" would have not only gotten you more respect but more than likely a bit of envy from those of us that just can't enjoy it for what it is. I know I wish I could, would have made the past two weeks a lot less irritating.

 

[SuperDaniel]

I loved it and the flaw werent bigger AT ALL than the ones Batman Begins, Iron Man or Spider-man had, imo.

I answered all the questions. Your justifications and criticisms make no sense to me. There's nothing more that needs to be said about the subject. That doesn't mean I dont think there's a lot of room for improvement. I want the sequel, if we ever get one, to be totally on Space, Emerald Knights style. That was also an awesome GL movie.

 

[Chewy]

As far as I knew, GLs aren't allowed to go to other sectors or something. 2814 is Hal`s business.

Pretty sure Sinestro, Kilowog and Tomar-Re went to 2814. In this movie.

 

[SuperDaniel]

yeah they did. I was talking about the comics. I could be wrong though.

 

[C. Lee]

I still think it was a fun movie. A sequel would be nice to see. If they do one i hope they manage to get most of the original actors back.

 

[rogue trooper]

I still think it was a fun movie. A sequel would be nice to see. If they do one i hope they manage to get most of the original actors back.

Seconded.

 

[DaveMoral]

I still think it was a fun movie. A sequel would be nice to see. If they do one i hope they manage to get most of the original actors back.

Thirded. And I hope they iron out the problems of the first. It's without a doubt needing Sinestro and a fight with Hal. But I don't want the Sinestro Corps just yet. I would be content with Manhunters. Hal, Sinestro and Kilowog against the Manhunters? Yeah, that would win IMO.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Fourthed. Hire better writers and a director that's more accustomed to big effects pictures. The cast is there, I don't care what anyone says. I wouldn't swap any of them out unless they didn't want to be there.

 

[misjuevos]

yea i definitely want a sequel. i wanna see hal patrol 2814.

 

[DACrowe]

I loved it and the flaw werent bigger AT ALL than the ones Batman Begins, Iron Man or Spider-man had, imo.

I answered all the questions. Your justifications and criticisms make no sense to me. There's nothing more that needs to be said about the subject. That doesn't mean I dont think there's a lot of room for improvement. I want the sequel, if we ever get one, to be totally on Space, Emerald Knights style. That was also an awesome GL movie.

One key difference (besides acting and freshness) was that those three films you just mentioned all had a great pace and narrative flow. They were engaging and while formulaic, felt new, smart and involving. GL's cookie cutter, assembly line vibe makes the film plod. It feels like the plot is moving in an obligatory fashion to satisfy an equation as opposed to an organic story. That is why those three films were so loved and lauded upon their release. Green Lantern? Not so much.

 

[SuperDaniel]

IYO. I think GL is as good as those. Not in the league of Dark Knight, X-men 2 or STM, though. But definitely a great intro movie. As good as Iron Man, X-men, Spider-man...

The first hour is amazing. The movie has some pacing problems in the last half hour but its still very good. So does Spider-man and Begins which are also filled with cheesiness, bad villains(Scarecrow)... Hector Hammond is much more developed than Scarecrow in BB. Scarecrow was just a thug in the movie. That's all.

GL Definitely DESERVES at least a 7,5. The thing is, Hal Jordan DOES NOT have an origin that is as good as those characters you mentioned. It is not as good as Superman`s, Batman or Spider-man. The best GL stories are the ones after that. My favorite stories are his descent into Darkness, destruction of Coast City, the corps and Kyle Rayner, who is my favorite GL. This movie was just a taste and that's why It should get a sequel. It left me wanting more. More exploration of Alien worlds, more interaction with GL`s. You can't do that in this movie without losing focus that this WAS Hal Jordan`s story and, imo, it's much better, more fun, than BOTH his origin stories in the comics.

 

[Liam_H]

IYO. I think GL is as good as those. Not in the league of Dark Knight, X-men 2 or STM, though. But definitely a great intro movie. As good as Iron Man, X-men, Spider-man...

The first hour is amazing. The movie has some pacing problems in the last half hour but its still very good. So does Spider-man and Begins which are also filled with cheesiness, bad villains(Scarecrow)... Hector Hammond is much more developed than Scarecrow in BB. Scarecrow was just a thug in the movie. That's all.

GL Definitely DESERVES at least a 7,5. The thing is, Hal Jordan DOES NOT have an origin that is as good as those characters you mentioned. It is not as good as Superman`s, Batman or Spider-man. The best GL stories are the ones after that. My favorite stories are his descent into Darkness, destruction of Coast City, the corps and Kyle Rayner, who is my favorite GL. This movie was just a taste and that's why It should get a sequel. It left me wanting more. More exploration of Alien worlds, more interaction with GL`s. You can't do that in this movie without losing focus that this WAS Hal Jordan`s story and, imo, it's much better, more fun, than BOTH his origin stories in the comics.

Yes, scarecrow was just a henchman, not the main antagonist in the movie. Ra's al Ghul (and his League of Shadows) is the main villain in Begins. He was handled far better than Parallax/Hammond too.

 

[Mysteryman]

One key difference (besides acting and freshness) was that those three films you just mentioned all had a great pace and narrative flow. They were engaging and while formulaic, felt new, smart and involving. GL's cookie cutter, assembly line vibe makes the film plod. It feels like the plot is moving in an obligatory fashion to satisfy an equation as opposed to an organic story. That is why those three films were so loved and lauded upon their release. Green Lantern? Not so much.

I agree.
We wanted to follow Tony and Bruce along their respective journeys .

 

[chris moore]

Thought I'd make a quick point regarding any opinions on the movie being considered a failure based on box office sales (in light of yesterdays report of 65% down on sales in 2nd weekend).

In the UK, box office reports of the weekend sales mean bugger all, even though they still put them out there as proof of success. Why? Because of Orange Wednesdays. Every half sensible person in the UK reins in their desperation to see their favourite movie until the Wednesday after it's released, because on Wednesdays we all get 241 if one us us has an orange mobile - and there's always someone going with you with an Orange mobile. And if there isn't - well someone who might not want to see it can just text you their 241 code.

So, much like critics reviews are based on deconstructing the damn movies instead of them being enjoyable watches, UK box office sales are based on three days before the country flocks to see it. So much so, that on films where a billion pounds apparently isn't enough revenue in the first place, they prohibit Orange Wednesdays for the first month of screening (Harry Potter - you're rich enough already ya bastard - stop making me go with my wife to see these and have me pay full price)

 

[Paradox1]

IYO. I think GL is as good as those. Not in the league of Dark Knight, X-men 2 or STM, though. But definitely a great intro movie. As good as Iron Man, X-men, Spider-man...

The first hour is amazing. The movie has some pacing problems in the last half hour but its still very good. So does Spider-man and Begins which are also filled with cheesiness, bad villains(Scarecrow)... Hector Hammond is much more developed than Scarecrow in BB. Scarecrow was just a thug in the movie. That's all.

GL Definitely DESERVES at least a 7,5. The thing is, Hal Jordan DOES NOT have an origin that is as good as those characters you mentioned. It is not as good as Superman`s, Batman or Spider-man. The best GL stories are the ones after that. My favorite stories are his descent into Darkness, destruction of Coast City, the corps and Kyle Rayner, who is my favorite GL. This movie was just a taste and that's why It should get a sequel. It left me wanting more. More exploration of Alien worlds, more interaction with GL`s. You can't do that in this movie without losing focus that this WAS Hal Jordan`s story and, imo, it's much better, more fun, than BOTH his origin stories in the comics.

Dude your out of your mind this movie is nowhere near as good as BB or Iron Man. Maybe Spider-Man because it hasn't aged well at all ,it seems to get worse and worse as the years roll by in retrospect. You have homer glasses on right now which are not allowing you to see it objectively. We all have characters that we like , that blind us to the truth because of how beloved they are in our eyes.

Gl wasnt gripping emtionally nor immersive as a story. Iron Man for instance had Tony Stark which as a personaility alone is worth the first hour of really non action that happened. His personality allowed the audience to care about him. Tony charmed us with his wit, awed us with his playboy demanor. While BB was grity a compelling story that drew you in almost immedately. You wanted to see how this boy could overcome his fears and move past his pain to become Batman.

There are similarites between BB and GL as mentioned with Crane working for Ra'S and hammond for parallax. However Ra's was a better villain than Parallax and Hammond combined. You knew who Ra's was, where he had been, and you could understand his motives. What was Parallax motives beside destruction? Where did come from? He mine as well had been a cosmic cloud like Galactus in FF because he was just there. GL wasn't as bad as many critics say it was but it is not as good as you claim either.

 

[C. Lee]

Thought I'd make a quick point regarding any opinions on the movie being considered a failure based on box office sales (in light of yesterdays report of 65% down on sales in 2nd weekend).

In the UK, box office reports of the weekend sales mean bugger all, even though they still put them out there as proof of success. Why? Because of Orange Wednesdays. Every half sensible person in the UK reins in their desperation to see their favourite movie until the Wednesday after it's released, because on Wednesdays we all get 241 if one us us has an orange mobile - and there's always someone going with you with an Orange mobile. And if there isn't - well someone who might not want to see it can just text you their 241 code.

So, much like critics reviews are based on deconstructing the damn movies instead of them being enjoyable watches, UK box office sales are based on three days before the country flocks to see it. So much so, that on films where a billion pounds apparently isn't enough revenue in the first place, they prohibit Orange Wednesdays for the first month of screening (Harry Potter - you're rich enough already ya bastard - stop making me go with my wife to see these and have me pay full price)

That's interesting....I don't remember ever hearing about that Orange Wednesday stuff before.

 

[shogunrua]

That's interesting....I don't remember ever hearing about that Orange Wednesday stuff before.

We have that in Switzerland too (but I never use it lol)

 

[Superfreak]

ok, just saw the film, had some opinions.

1)it's not a bad movie
2)a little too much focus on Hector
3)The soundtrack was pathetic, and took a large chunk of the enjoyability out of the film
4)the opening prologue is too quick, they should deliver that information in a more pleasing manner
5)a little too much focus on the relationship stuff too

otherwise a fairly solid flick. This felt like a Marvel movie more than a DC movie. The DC movies have always tried to keep things a little more deep, while Marvel films have always been shallower (although that's not the word I'm looking for). Lighter and funnier for the marvel films. DC, between Batman and SR (the tone of the film atleast), they seemed to have set up a real world, in which these over powered characters live.

I dunno what I'm trying to get at... just that GL felt more like a marvel than a DC film.


I like the idea of Angela Basset as Amanda Waller, and I suspect she will be the Justice League cameo set up for films to come. DC's counterpart to Marvel's Colson.
In the end, I think had they reduced some of the focus on the pathetic mad scientist and relationship stuff slightly, and brought the speed and jumpiness of the opening and closing arcs down a little, I'd have been perfectly happy with this film. And again, FOR PETE'S SAKE, get a real music scribe to write a proper soundtrack!!!!!!!(another trait of marvel films that this DC movie is displaying)


7.5/10, where 10 is impossible to reach.