Brightest Review from a Comic and Non-comic Fan, 13 June 2011
Author: jordan-esque from California
I was a comic book fan who's read Green Lantern since the late 80's and I was privileged to see this movie early with a friend who is not a non-comic book fan in general. So what you're getting in this review is 2 perspectives on the movie.
Off the bat: Do NOT expect deep character growth development and relationships you would find in "X-men: First Class" or even "Thor" for that matter. This movie is simply for pure enjoyment.
SPECIAL EFFECTS:
The special effects are the bread and butter of this film, and it's what definitely makes the film tick. Only gripe my friend and I had was that the CGI on some of the movements of the characters were so like 10 years ago aka Spider-Man the Movie (2002). You would think after all these years we could see better CGI animation especially when it transitions to live action Hal Jordan to CGI Hal Jordan.
[BLACKOUT] The only other complaint we shared though was that Hal Jordan's constructs in this movie was a little "too cartoony". He basically created everything from a sword, flamethrower, gatling gun, anti-air artillery gun, to a SWAT shield, catapult, and a jetplane. For a live action movie, just felt a little over the top cartoony, almost made for the kid's entertainment. I don't think I've seen his animated counterpart in the Justice League TV series (John Stewart) make these kinds of constructs - that's how cartoony it felt. Then again, we all have little kids in all of us.
Also, according to my friend, the way they made the power of the ring was just too godlike - the "McGyver of rings". Once Hal Jordan completed his short training, you knew he was just going to be unstoppable. It was true to the comic books but to a casual movie goer, it led to a little bit of a turn-off since it makes the villain look pale in comparison, especially in the final battle, which the trailers actually gave a hint to on how it would end. [/BLACKOUT]
STORY:
The story was told very simple. Those familiar with the comic, it follows very closely to the first 3-4 issues of The Secret Origins (2008) story arc written by Geoff Johns, and the original Emerald Dawn storyline retelling of the late 80's. In other words, it's not based on the continuity of the original story of Hal Jordan back in the Silver Age revival of the character.
My friend thought the movie tried to fit in a lot of plots and stories like Spider-Man III did (he was thinking more like the Silver Age revival stories where Hal Jordan doesn't meet up with the Green Lantern Corps and just stays on earth). While I on the other hand thought it was okay and done a little bit better simply because I knew and read the book, and also in hindsight, knew they were doing this to set up a potential sequel. There's a post credit scene too!
A missed opportunity I honestly thought, although they weren't "buddies" in the comics, it would've been better if they had played more on the relationship between Hal Jordan and Sinestro as something a bit more than just mentor to student, in order to build up a stronger emotional bond when the time comes for *Semi-spoiler* ---- Sinestro to turn evil. But think of Peter Parker and Harry Osborne (Green Goblin 2), or Professor X and Magneto, one can even say Bruce Wayne and R'as Al Ghul (actually as Henry Ducarde). Btw, Sinestro becoming evil, is not a spoiler since even a 10 year old kid can point just based on the name.
ACTING:
Mark Strong definitely was the best part of the film. He played the very cool, and calculated Sinestro better than even the comic books could write him.
Michael Clarke Duncan as the voice of Kilowog fit perfectly as well and his ribbing of Hal Jordan set up a good portion of comedic moments.
Blake Lively played the typical bossy girl [BLACKOUT]who would not give Hal Jordan the time of day but changes her heart once the hero reveals himself and saves the day. [/BLACKOUT]Don't expect anything too deep like Peter Parker & Mary Jane or even, to an extent, Thor & Jane Foster. It had a hybrid feel between Clark Kent & Lois Lane with Bruce Wayne and Rachel Dawes feel.
Ryan Reynolds was a positive but mixed bag. My non-comic book friend thought he was a good Hal Jordan (not knowing anything about him), while I thought some of his inner monologue jokes from him seemed more appropriate coming from Guy Gardner (another Green Lantern) or even Wally West the Flash. Actually some of it was more Ryan Reynolds just being Ryan Reynolds (see Van Wlder or any other Ryan Reynolds film) and I wonder how much ad-lib he had? All in all, I wasn't too impressed, but I wasn't disappointed either. He was cynically lighthearted but when it was time to get serious, he became serious.
SUMMARY:
All in all this movie was a good summer movie for everyone to enjoy. It doesn't take itself way too emotionally seriously as it should. It's definitely a great movie for the kids. If you just solely want to have a good time, then this movie will brighten your day.
RATING:
3 out of 5 - enjoyable film that's worth seeing.
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