Film Review: GREEN LANTERN (2011)

Director: Martin Campbell
Writers (screenplay): Greg Berlanti, Michael Green, Marc Guggenheim, Michael Goldenberg
Writers (screen story): Greg Berlanti, Michael Green, Marc Guggenheim
Running Time: 105 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12A

Genre: Action/Adventure/Fantasy
UK Release Date: 17^th June 2011

Watched on Sky+ Friday 7^th July 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I must admit I knew very little about the Green Lantern before seeing this film; the TV series never made it across the pond to the UK. So I went into it having very few preconceptions, although I did know that it had been slammed by the critics. To be honest, I have to err on the side of the critics on this one; at best, it’s pretty poor despite some expensive-looking effects. I’ll tell you more after this very brief summary.

When pilot, Hal Jordan, is taken to a dying alien and given a mysterious green ring he little realises what awaits him. He has been chosen to join the ranks of an intergalactic peace-keeping force known as the Green Lanterns and there is a threat out there known as Parallax. Jordan is spurred on by fellow pilot, Carol Ferris, who has grown up with him and they have a very on-off relationship. Having been taken to the homeworld of the Green Lanterns and meeting their leader, Sinestro, Jordan doesn’t feel he has what it takes, but with Parallax approaching earth can he find the courage he needs?... Well, I guess I’ll leave it there or the Spoiler Police will have me sparring with Kilowog (again).

For a film the relied very heavily on effects I was quite disappointed they forgot to add a plot. At best it was messy and confusing and I felt quite sorry for the actors trying to cope with some truly awful dialogue. So I’ll give honourable mentions to; Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan/Green Lantern, Blake Lively as Carol Ferris, Peter Sarsgaard as Hector Hammond, Mark Strong as Sinestro, Tim Robbins as Hammond and Jay O. Sanders as Carl Ferris.

I could see that there was a decent story in there trying to get out but, for some reason, it never did. There was no mystery; how can you expect an audience to embrace a character or a story if its spoon fed to them at every turn. I could cite countless examples of films where half the fun of watching them is the things you don’t see; the pieces that are left to the imagination and that’s exactly what was missing here; imagination. Yes, it all looks fantastic, but it doesn’t make much sense and there is little else for the audience to cling onto. Over all; could have (& should have) been much better! (Forget 3D & concentrate on the plot… PLEASE!)... NOT RECOMMENDED.

My Score 4.1/10

IMDb Score: 5.9/10 (based on 96,176 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1133985/

MetaScore: 39/100: (Based on 39 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 27/100 (based on 224 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 47/100 ‘Liked It’ (based on 118,336 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/770677993/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Hal Jordan: [to his one-night stand] Sorry, I'm late. Help yourself, there's water from the tap!
[rushes off to work]

Hal Jordan: Now, pay attention...
[puts the ring on his finger and suits up]
Thomas Kalmaku: Whoa, green!
[both laugh]
Hal Jordan: I know, right?

Hal Jordan: A talking fish...
Tomar-Re: Actually, my race is Xudarian. Our DNA does some what resemble your own ichthyological species. I am Tomar-Re, protector of Sector 2613 and home to...
Hal Jordan: 80,012 galaxies, 2.34 million sentient species. How do I know that?
Tomar-Re: The induction process. It activates the ring's higher functions, including a working knowledge base. In truth, we were curious. The process has never been attempted on a species as young as humans before. As you are the first to be chosen, I've been sent to welcome you here.
Hal Jordan: And here is?
[Tomar-Re shows him an alien metropolis]
Tomar-Re: Welcome to Oa.

[Jordan makes a construct of a saber]
Sinestro: A sword. How human...

[an unconscious Carol levitates in the air]
Hector Hammond: Beautiful, isn't she?

Kilowog: The human. Ain't never seen one before.
[sniffs Hal, snorts]
Kilowog: You smell funny.
Hal Jordan: Ugh. I smell funny?
Kilowog: Yeah! I've heard about humans; think they're the centre of the universe. You wanna be a Lantern? You gotta commit to the Corps!

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://greenlanternmovie.warnerbros.com/dvd/
Trailer:

Film Review: CITY OF EMBER (2008)

Director: Gil Kenan
Running time: 90 mins (approx)
Certificate (UK): PG

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 1st November 2009.

PLEASE NOTE: POSSIBLE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Set in a future where the Earth’s surface has become uninhabitable and so, in order to save the human race, a group of scientists and engineers build the subterranean City of Ember. A case is entrusted to the mayor with a clock built in that counts down for two hundred years. This case contains the secret of the City and the key to the way to the surface. Unfortunately, with the passage of time, the case was lost and eventually opened alone on a shelf. With the city now beyond its two hundred year lifespan, the generator that keeps it alive is failing and the food is beginning to run out.

Two children, Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow, are curious as to why the generator is failing and why it is illegal to leave the city. Doon’s father, Lorris, is an inventor and encourages his son to question the world around him. Lina has lost both her parents and, along with her little sister Poppy, is cared for by their grandmother. Both children have just come of age and, as tradition holds, they are assigned jobs by the Mayor. This is done quite randomly by picking them out of a bag. Doon wants to work with the generator, but ends up in the Pipe Works. Lina gets her wish and ends up as a messenger. But when Lina discovers the case and begins to piece together the clues inside, both of them are in for a great adventure!

First of all, I must give praise to the set designers and builders; they have done a great job of putting together an underground city. Great cinematography and lighting too. Great performances from our two main cast members, Saoirse Ronan as Lina Mayfleet and Harry Treadaway as Doon Harrow. Decent performances also from Tim Robbins as Loris Harrow, Bill Murray as Mayor Cole, Martin Landau as Sul, Toby Jones as Barton Snode, Mackenzie Crook as Looper and Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Clary. I guess the thing that let it down for me was that, although it was quite exciting at times, and the subject matter really interested me, I never really engaged with any of the characters. Some of the city residents weren’t particularly likeable, especially the mayor, and so I didn’t really care whether they were saved or not. Over all, a fair effort that didn’t quite hit the mark.

My score: 6/10

LINKS:
IMDb Site: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0970411/
Official Site: http://www.cityofember.com/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK/video/imdb/vi543359001/