A superhero film sans complications

Film review: Green Lantern

MANILA, Philippines - Green Lantern belongs to a time when DC Comics decided they had better put some science fiction elements in the adventures of their superheroes. There were new entrants into the business and more modern, more exciting ideas were needed if DC were to keep up with the growing competition.

Life for superheroes before that was quite simple. Superman came to earth already super and was not even considered an alien. Hunger for revenge made Batman turn himself into a superhero. Wonder Woman, an amazon princess, was born that way. Billy Batson simply yelled Shazam and became Captain Marvel. Green Lantern though was something else.

Part of the second generation of Marvel heroes, Green Lantern is part of the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic peacekeeping force in the planet Oa. They police the galaxy including Earth and derive their powers from a mystical ring, which allows them to do anything. And unlike other heroes who work alone or at least with a sidekick, Green Lantern has other Green Lanterns for partners, cohorts, allies, mentors, whatever.

The mythology gets confusing at times especially when one tries to follow how the character has evolved since the ’40s. I tried but gave up when the extent of what was going on began to take on the size of Lord Of The Rings. But it can be simplified and made kid-friendly. And this is what was done in Green Lantern, the first ever, big screen rendering of the Marvel superhero. Rejoice children, here is a superhero movie without complications all for you.

Starring last year’s Sexiest Man Alive Ryan Reynolds and directed by Melvin Campbell, who did The Mask of Zorro and Casino Royale, Green Lantern is an introduction to the Green Lantern Corps and tells of how pilot Hal Jordan became the first earthling to be included in the organization. How he learns to use his powers and then save Earth and Oa from the monstrous Parallax is what the movie is about.

Green Lantern does this in one of the most beautifully designed adventure flicks ever made. It is a visual feast of the best that computer technology can offer. Gasp as the camera navigates the gorgeous Oa landscape; at the images Green Lantern conjures up just by thinking (would you believe a race track?); at the flying scenes (yes, he thinks he can fly and he flies); and at the remarkable Green Lantern costume.

I read somewhere that this is the first ever superhero costume to be entirely computer generated. No wonder it looks so impressive and unlike anything else. Now, I can already see superhero actors stipulating this in their contracts. Why should they slave under heavy, sweaty costumes when this can be computer generated like Green Lantern’s?

But back to Green Lantern. Campbell made the movie with his audience in mind. He keeps the kiddies happy with the sights, lots of special effects and the fast-paced action scenes. They will be impressed. He goes for the older fans of the comics and the uninitiated with the well-thought out exposition. Then for his producers, he lays down the basis for sequels.

That Sinestro, played by Mark Strong, he was Blackwood in Sherlock Holmes, should be good for another turn or two. Besides, Green Lantern only fought one big battle in this one. It is obvious he will be brought back for more. They should also have the voice of Michael Clark Duncan again as Kilowog to bring on the laughs.

I expected more from Reynolds. I believe that one of the best qualities of the successful superheroes in the movies is that they convey to the viewer the idea of having some hidden secret. Like a sense of humor in Superman’s smile, demons under Batman’s mask, the hatred for humanity smoldering inside Wolverine or the childlike fun within Iron Man.

Reynolds is just right as the cocky Jordan but is openly bland when he dons the green mask. Could be the effect of whatever he was wearing under the CGI. Maybe he wants to put across Jordan’s reluctance to become a Green Lantern. But he is now over that and should do better in the sequel.

Of course, Reynolds is every bit his sexy self in his costume, I do not see any actor looking better, and this should please the ladies. They will also like the fact that the heroine, Carol Ferris, played by the lovely Gossip Girl Blake Lively kicks ass and stays on equal footing with Green Lantern. She even comes to his aid a few times and they look good together.