Green Lantern (2011)

Directed by: Martin Campbell | 114 minutes | action, science fiction | Actors: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, Temuera Morrison, Jenna Craig, Jon Tenney, Mike Doyle, Nick Jandl, Dylan James, Leanne Cochran, Geoffrey Rush, Tim Robbins, Dennis Haysbert, Angela Bassett, Amy Carlson, Jay O. Sanders, Taika Waititi, Nick Gomez, Sharon Morris, Nick Jones Jr., Garrett Hines, Griff Furst, Laura Cayouette, Ric Reitz, Deke Anderson, Jeff Wolfe, Paul Parducci, Mindy Caraccioli, Joseph Cintron, Michael AvMen, Alexander Asefa, Bill Ross, Evan Kelly

He is not an A-lister, the superhero Green Lantern. Spider-Man and Peter Parker, Superman and Clark Kent, those are sound names, but who knows Hal Jordan and his green-masked alter ego? If it’s up to Ryan Reynolds, that’s about to change. In the sci-fi action spectacle ‘Green Lantern’, the muscular actor is given a sleek outfit and a full evening performance and is allowed to try to work his way to the top in the realm of superheroes.

The Green Lanterns are a brotherhood that has guarded the peace and order in the universe for centuries. While the Lanterns draw their strength from the willpower of all living things, their most formidable adversary, Parallax, feeds on fear. When a distinguished Green Lantern fighter is killed, reckless test pilot Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) is chosen to take his place. As Hal begins his training, Parallax also finds a new recruit: xenobiologist Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard), who has been infected by evil while performing an autopsy. He changes from a lost scientist to a force to be reckoned with, but the newfound power comes with a price.

Fans of the comic can rest assured: ‘Green Lantern’ does justice to the source material. Reynolds, with his dry humor, is cut out for the role of a jet fighter pilot who must mature before he can save the universe from destruction; Sarsgaard is even better as an underdog who grows into a tyrant under the influence of evil. The art direction and cinematography also deserve praise: the home planet of the Lanterns is stylishly designed and where the film takes to the skies, the 3D effects come into their own beautifully. Add to that the necessary action and humor – including a scene in which Hal thinks he is a little more anonymous behind his green mask than he is – and you have a world in which you will enjoy yourself for at least two hours. Yet ‘Green Lantern’ is just a bit too light to reach the level of a ‘Dark Knight’ or an ‘X-Men: First Class’.

At a time when it’s trendy to give bad guys complexity or an understandable motivation, the idea of ​​an ultimate villain seems dated. Parallax may look imposing, but he is not an intriguing opponent. No, then Hector, the unsightly scientist disappointed in himself and the world and looking for something to give meaning to his life. It’s easy to understand that he only needs a pinprick to turn to evil, and his transformation from bum to power-hungry is much more interesting than the simplistic battle between fear and willpower where it is in ‘Green Lantern’. it’s all about. Another problem is that good guy Hal is capable of almost anything thanks to a magical green ring. That produces a few nice images, but story-wise it is less interesting.

As a superhero, Green Lantern won’t dethrone Spidey and Batman, but he certainly deserves a place in the superhero sub-top. And if you sit still during the credits, you will see that the first pass for a sequel is already being given.