Green Lantern

Starring Ryan Reynolds, Mark Strong, Peter Sarsgaard, Blake Lively, and the voice talents of Geoffrey Rush and Michael Clarke Duncan

Directed by Martin Campbell

Release Date:

June 17th, 2011

So far,as of June 17th 2011,  www. rottentomatoes.com has accumulated an average score of 24% favorable reviews for Green Lantern, starring Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, and the voice talents of Geoffrey Rush and Michael Clarke Duncan. A lot of the reviews have claimed that the movie is a bore, that nothing is accomplished and that the "wow" factor just isn't there. We'll take a look at both the good and bad of this DC Comics adaptation.

First, the good: the movie certainly has a lot of fun. For all my own speculation and criticism, Ryan Reynolds certainly captured the cockiness and attitude that bring out the courage and heroism in Hal Jordan. Reynolds certainly brings a certain swagger and charm to Hal, and a need to be vulnerable when needed. Then there's all the CGI: 90% of it is good (the other 10....we'll talk about later). From the GL uniforms to their green constructed objects, the sights in this movie are certainly full of life and energy. One aspect I enjoyed was how the uniforms showed off a wave of energy constantly moving, a nice touch that shows that the "uniforms" are more a second skin than a latex suit.

Second, the bad: the CGI on Hal's mask, the cheesy dialogue, and a few plot holes or events that needed more explanation. Hal's mask....the movie makes a good explanation, but it still looks awful and putting the green CGI on the bridge of his nose was a bad idea. Some of the dialogue involving the characters drawing attention that they're in a comic-book movie is a little ridiculous, but I only mention it as this type of pros could have been eliminated in the revision stage of the screenplay and have made better dialogue. Then there's some plot holes; I won't mention what occurs, but you'll think about what happens and say "How did he know where _____ was?".

Still, for all its' faults, Green Lantern is an enjoyable comic-book film. Not as good as X-Men: First Class or Thor, but still entertaining.

Rating: * * * 1/2 of 5