Advertisement
Star cast: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard.
Advertisement
What’s Bad: Those unaware of the Green Lantern comic book might find the film’s setting a little difficult to understand.
Verdict: Green Lantern is fun while it lasts. Expect average performance at the Indian box-office.
Loo break: None at all.
Watch or Not?: Watch it for the compelling script and the masterful visual effects.
De Line Pictures and DC Entertainment’s Green Lantern, based upon characters appearing in comic books by DC Comics, is the story of a young and irresponsible test pilot’s journey of becoming a celestial superhero.
Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) is a talented but an irresponsible test pilot who works for a private aeronautical company. He is a cheerful person on the surface but he is afraid that he, too, will die while flying, just like his father. Carol Ferris (Blake Lively) is Hal’s co-pilot and boss. Senator Hammond (Tim Robbins) is trying to sell the aircraft from Carol’s company to the US air force. Hammond’s son, Hector (Peter Sarsgaard), is a talented but disgruntled scientist.
Many light years away from Earth is the planet of Oa, the abode of the Green Lanterns, a race of mighty warriors who guard the universe. Created and led by the immortal Guardians, the 3,600 Green Lanterns protect different sectors of the universe. The Lanterns’ only source of power is the will power of the people of the universe.
Things start going wrong when The Parallax, an evil force, is let loose by accident. Feeding on fear, it attacks and kills several Green Lanterns and devours entire planets. The Parallax also fatally injures Abin Sur (Temuera Morrison), the lantern who looks over earth. Before he dies, Abin, an alien, hands over his ring and lantern (the source of his power) to Hal, who has been chosen by the ring as Abin’s successor.
After Abin dies, Hal buries him and leaves with the ring and lantern. A secret agency of the government acquires the dead body and calls in Hector to examine it. Hector realises that Abin’s human-like physiology might mean many things for science, but he is told to shut up. While conducting the examination, Hector is infected by a part of The Parallax that was left inside Abin’s wounds. Soon, Hector starts having headaches. He even starts reading others’ minds.
On the other hand, Hal, after wearing the ring, accidentally discovers its powers. Right afterwards, he is forcibly transmitted to planet Oa, where he acquires a green-coloured uniform. Hal is formally introduced to the Green Lanterns Corps, their history, etc. He even receives training in using the powers of his ring. But there is a rider. Hal can’t use his powers to the maximum unless he sheds all his fears. This is because their powerful enemy – The Parallax – feeds on their fears and thereby wins. Sinestro (Mark Strong), the leader of Green Lanterns, tells Hal as much. Hal returns to earth, disappointed with himself.
But when Hector tries to kill his own father, Senator Hammond, by crashing his helicopter at a party, Hal uses his powers and saves the day. Carol, who now learns about Hal’s superpowers, inspires him to not miss the opportunity to be a part of something big. After Hector, who has become completelely taken over by the evil Parallax, turns wild and kills his own father, Hal realises the limits of his power. Now, he has to garner the courage to overcome his fears and defeat The Parallax who is threatening to destroy planet earth next. Is Hal able to do this? What happens to Hector? Is Hal able to finally win the respect of Sinestro and the other Lanterns? The rest of the film answers these questions.
The story of Green Lantern (by Greg Berlanti, Michael Green and Marc Guggenheim) appeals because it presents, in an entertaining manner, the success journey of an underdog (Hal). The fight between the good and evil forces of the universe is as nourishing to the mind as the masterful visuals are pleasing to the eyes. The audience will identify with Hal’s inner struggle to overcome his fears. The screenplay (by Greg Berlanti, Michael Green, Marc Guggenheim and Michael Goldenberg) moves at a fast pace and involves the viewers. Dialogues are good and witty at places.
The first half of the story, where Hal is struggling with his newfound power, is interesting. The scenes when he travels to Oa and trains there are also well-choreographed. The climax is interesting, to say the least. Fans of the comic book will find the film a rewarding experience but the problem is that they are few. Those who are not familiar with the comic book, will find it a little difficult to understand the intial few reels.
Ryan Reynolds does a fine job as the nervous Hal Jordan / Green Lantern. Blake Lively and Peter Sarsgaard shine in their small roles. Mark Strong leaves a mark. Temuera Morrison, Tim Robbins and others fill the bill.
Martin Campbell’s direction is good. His main achievement is in maintaining the swift narrative pace of the film and keeping it entertaining and engaging throughout. James Newton Howard’s background score goes well with the mood of the drama. Dion Beebe’s cinematography and the visual effects are superb. Editing, by Stuart Baird, is fine. Costume design, by Ngila Dickson, is effective.
On the whole, Green Lantern is entertaining fare. It will do smashing business at the US box-office but average business at the Indian box-office.
Advertisement
