Green Lantern

Directed By: Martin Campbell
Written By: Greg Berlanti, Michael Green, Marc Guggenheim and Michael Goldenberg
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard and Mark Strong,
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: C+

After much anticipation Green Lantern the movie is finally released.  Could Ryan Reynolds fill the green suit?  Hmmm possibly.

I'll try to break this complicated story down as best as I can.  Basically the Green Lantern Corps are comprised of different races from the universe who are to protect our galaxy.  Think of it as the United Nations but on an intergalactic scale.  Enter in the villain Parallax (voiced by Clancy Brown) who threatens to destroy the Universe with the power of fear, the opposite of will (Green Lantern Corps' power).  At the same time a well respected Green Lantern dies and a hole needs to be filled to help save the universe.  Enter Hal Jordan your typical egotistical, successful, flying by the seat of his pants kind of guy who doesn't take life seriously.  He also happens to be a test pilot (not sure how this helps the story) and out of every human on the planet "the ring" chooses him to join the Green Lantern Corps.  So then we watch Hal Jordan learn to master his new power of willpower while learning to fly and maneuver between his old life on earth and his new superhero life.  Of course he needs a leading lady, childhood friend Carol Ferris played by Blake Lively.  While Hal deals with his new identity Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard), also a childhood friend of Hal's, is going through his own transformation as Parallax tries to use him in his attempt to destroy the universe with fear.  Can the Green Lantern Corps stop Parallax and save the world before it's too late?  Dun dun dun ... what do you think?

Okay so I was entertained by the special effects and vibrant colors.  Seeing it in 3D and IMAX was a nice touch but not worth the extra money.  Where is the 3D in these new 3D movies?  Anyhow, I loved how Ryan Reynolds played the role.  He definitely brought a strength, humor and sensitive side to Hal Jordan.  However the story was just too much for me.  Trust me I simplified it as much as I could.  I mean I found it easy to follow but it just had too much going on for me.  I also found many things so unbelievable, not counting all of the superhero factors (flying, super powers, a costume that doesn't cover much of the face but somehow no one knows who it is).  The script just felt rushed and could've used more editing.  Some things could have been taken out while others could have been developed more.

But let's face it, you don't go to this kind of movie for a strong storyline or Academy Award winning directing or acting.  You go for some good old fashioned action, comedy and special effects and this movie pretty much delivers all of that.  I still prefer Iron Man but this wasn't half bad either.

I say see it but don't rush.