As opposed to now, where he's there for what reason, exactly?

As a secondary character. Just like all other secondary characters in every other movie. To do nothing. And provide little to the story.

What about his brother, do you guys have a problem with the 10 seconds of screen time for his brother?

Yes, actually, considering it accomplishes nothing. We don't learn anything about Hal. It does nothing for his "arc." It's nothing but wasted screentime.

Wait, I'm sorry. I'm putting on my "oh, bright colors aren't good enough" overly critical hat on today.

So in your opinion, which is incorrect btw, every scene in every movie must have a bigger point than just existing?

It actually wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. It's not godawful, but Green Lantern's biggest offense is that it is just forgettable despite a massive budget and a great cast. Ryan Reynolds was good but does little to differentiate the performance from any other work he's done, Blake Lively is alright in a completely underwritten role, and Mark Strong was also solid. I thought Peter Sarsgaard was awful though. His character made no sense and was completely one-dimensional, and Sarsgaard was so over-the-top that I started to dread every time he'd come onscreen. Tim Robbins and Angela Basset are also bad and, following suit, have underwritten roles. It's really no better or worse than Thor in terms of quality, but I have to give the edge to the former because at least I felt like it told a complete story. This one is just a franchise setup, pure and simple, and with the underwhelming box office and critical reception who knows if a second installment will ever even happen. C/C+

I really enjoyed it, it is about on par with Thor on the enjoyment level, and I found all the humor to be intentional and funny (Especially Sarsgaard) I thought Reynolds doing a Christian Bale impression in front of Lively was the funniest thing I've seen in a while. Another solid Superhero movie this summer that this time embraces the Camp side of comic book movies. I enjoyed the few action scenes, and the visuals, and also change to dark tone at times. I never felt any real sense of danger, but I liked the villains and would love a sequel.

This is in the Thor, Incredible Hulk territory, and leagues above Hulk, FF, and Spidey 3

B+

Considering what's been said I was expect Green Lantern to be a complete disaster. The footage Loyal posted didn't help matters either. But maybe it was because my expectations were so low, I actually wound up really enjoying it. Does it have it's problems? Oh fuck yes. Lets see...

Backstory - If you're going to simply the backstory down to one scene where Hal sees his father explode, don't make it funny. I burst out laughing after the brief hope when his dad begins to climb out of the plane. Cut to kid Hal. Then cut back to the plane AND BLAM! I like Stuart Baird (SUPERMAN!), but the way he chose to edit the scene ruined it. He took what should've been a horrific scene and turned it into a hilarious one. It also didn't help that grownup Hal flashes into this flashback while falling from the sky. Why he flashes back...I dunno?

Hector Hammond - I didn't read the comic, but I'm going to assume that they were faithful to the look of his character. As soon as Martin Campbell saw the artwork for the character, or if not then, when Sarsgaard first put on the wig, he should've axed it. I know Hector is supposed to be a nerd, but he's really hard to look at at times throughout the movie. And then once his head explodes to grand proportions... There's a fine line between making a character evil and making a character look evil. I would've preferred if they had focused on the former instead of the latter.

Yellow matter with Hammond - Why did Abin Sur have that yellow stuff in him which causes Hammond to go nuts. I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation, but the film never gives it or it just glosses over it. If Abin Sur had yellow matter, how could he have been possibly selected as a Green Lantern? And if there was a reason, once again the film never provides it.

Editing/Runtime - The movie is 104 minutes. Why is there such a need to rush superhero movies lately? Thor and X-Men made the same mistake. Considering my point about the backstory, would another 16 minutes have killed anyone (except Loyal)?

Sinestro (for anyone who stayed 30 seconds after the initial ending credits) - Sinestro is good for the entire film, but with a name like Sinestro, it should come as no surprise that he might turn out to be evil. But why does he turn evil? What motivation did he have, especially after giving the grandiose speech at the end? And why does he stumble across the yellow ring? How would one just stumble across that? Why was that so easy?

Yet despite those five big problems, I was entertained. I found the action sequences to be above par, and I liked Reynolds and Lively together, though she comes across wooden more times than one. And I'm corny, but I liked how they dealt with Hal's fearlessness (despite it being poorly developed).

It's an entertaining popcorn flick, and aside from characters like Superman, Batman and Spider-Man, that's all that I expect from comic book films.

*** (B)

Oh, and I'm done with 3D. I saw this in 2D and have come to conclusion that like most movies, 3D would not have made one difference in me enjoying this. Unless it's something in IMAX or another Avatar, I'm sticking with 2D.

The yellow matter in Abin Sur was from when he got injured. It was more of residue. And Sinestro didn't really 'stumble' across the yellow ring, I mean, he had it in his hand when Reynolds confronted the elders.

What's the scene during the credits exactly?

Mark Strong's character puts on the evil ring and his costume turns yellow. More or less suggesting he will be the villain in the hypothetical sequel.

Ah, okay. Thanks for reminding. I somehow completely managed to forget the first scene.

Agreed, and he also is the one that created it, and wanted to use it before Reynolds speech. Perhaps if we get a sequel, he'll have an Anakin/Gollum downfall. Remember it says in the film that the Paralax guy wanted to do only good, but was consumed by the fear.

I thought the plot was adequate enough, and not knowing anything I didn't even watch the end credits. But I loved Sarsgaard's look, I thought it was hilarious but intentional and added to his Quasimodo feelings towards his father and Reynolds. The Nephew is an odd one, but the one scene together was pretty good, maybe he had a deleted scene later in the film. Also, the only real scene I thought was bad was the Top Gun ripoff with the father, really felt like it was Hot Shots for a second.

It was a fast paced film, but I don't know I somehow found it refreshing to not have all the extra fat scenes in between stuff that happens. Kind of like Green Lantern by Spark Notes

Uh, yes, actually, lest movies just be a string of pointless padded bullshit.

I guarantee every movie ever has one scene that has no point other than being there.

I'm sure many that you like do. But no good ones.

Maybe you should pay more attention to the movies you watch.

Chippy telling others to watch movies better is like Grill telling others to argue less.

I told you I'm not pervy. I didn't say I was dead.

Poor trixster. Living in the past, I see.

As I don't watch her on TV, I forgot that was Blake Lively. Just thought she was sexy.

I do pay attention to the movies I watch. That seems to be the difference between us.

ooo!!!

Green Lantern had a sustained "serious" tone that serves it well.

It is an example of long form camp - - it's deadpan alright, but not the more common mile-a-minute deadpan camp, it's one entire movie-length "moment".

Long form camp, which once upon a time was quite fashionable, returns in Green Lantern set in a groovy sci-fi festival of psychedelia - - you can't say they didn't go all out on the whole green thing!

Unfortunately, the story bogs down for a while at the beginning of the second half, but danged if it's giddily straight-faced charm don't carry ya right on thru!

Not only that, but I think that this just might be the role that Ryan Reynolds was born to play. I've never been a huge fan of his plasticity, however here he just seems perfect.

...and I bet the sequel is even better!


15 out of 5.

I'll bet there is no sequel after how piss poor this has performed and no JLA either cause WB and DC Entertainment suck and they'll never beat MARVEL at anything.. Sure they have BATMAN but then what??

There will be a sequel.