Unlike its competitors at Marvel, with the exception of Batman, the Superheroes of the DC Universe hasn’t had much success bringing its characters to the big screen. Warner Bros. was hoping to change all that with Green Lantern, but unfortunately the film never really gets off the ground. Despite a strong mythology at its core, the origin story falls flat and since that’s a large part of the movie, the entire experience is less than satisfying.
Hal Jordan (a bland Ryan Reynolds) is a skilled pilot working for aero-tech concern Ferris Aircraft. Along with gal pal—and equally adept flyer—Carol (Blake Lively), our hero plays fast and loose with the rules. Still haunted by the crash that killed his father (Jon Tenney), Hal puts on an air of fearlessness. One night, he inherits a power ring from a dying alien named Abin Sur (Temuera Morrison). Sur is a member of the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic police force created by a race of ancients known as the Guardians of the Universe. Sur was killed by Parallax (voiced by Clancy Brown), a primal being that feeds off fear and the color yellow.
Hal learns he is the first human member of the Corps. From there, the story turns into pretty standard superhero stuff. Hal must quickly overcome everyone’s doubts and stop Parallax from eating everyone on earth. To that end, Hal is carted off to planet Oa, where Corps leader Sinestro (Mark Strong) sends him through training with Tomar-Re (Geoffrey Rush) and Kilowog (Michael Clarke Duncan). Hal is extremely reluctant to take on his new role and quite a bit of time is used up with scenes of Hal trying to psych himself out. Meanwhile, Parallax gets closer to earth and begins to influence Senator Hammond’s son, scientist Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard).
Green Lantern is a special effects laden film and director Martin Campbell (Casino Royale) created most of the aliens and sets using CGI. Given the lack of practical effects, Green Lantern is rather easy to tune out. Some of the effects look half baked and the battles don’t look particularly realistic. Parallax is intimidating, but the massive, amorphous monster doesn’t blend well with live actors. Oa and its inhabitants are striking, but the planet is only briefly explored. Sinestro is subtly effective, while the rapidly expanding forehead of Hector Hammond is simply foolish.
Green Lantern certainly had all the right elements for an enjoyable film but it feels to invoke the same kind of excitement as better projects such as Iron Man. The irony is that a second movie would probably be a lot of fun now that all the buildup and backstory is out of the way but it doesn’t seem very likely given this films poor reception. Unfortunately, Green Lantern is probably best reserved for the superhero diehards among us.
Presented in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio, this 1080p transfer indicates the use of DNR at first glance but I’m told it looked this way in theaters. Detail is generally good, although Green Lantern has a fairly gritty look to it. The image has nice depth of field and fine texture. Colors are bold and well saturated, and skin tones are natural. I did notice a couple instances of crush and contrast could’ve been a bit better. Otherwise, this is a serviceable transfer.
The DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound mix here is excellent; enveloping, rich, dynamic and completely panoramic, you’ll feel like you’re part of the action. Dialogue is audible throughout, and high-and low-ends occupy magnificent presence. Surrounds are given a raucous and thorough workout and the .1 LFE channel comes to life at all the right moments.
French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Thai Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks are included (for the theatrical cut of the movie only), as are English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian, Korean, Mandarin and Thai subtitles.
Along with a standard DVD, the following special features are included:
- Extended and Theatrical Cuts: Two versions of Green Lantern are included: a 114-minute theatrical cut and a roomier (but no more eventful) 123-minute extended cut.
- Maximum Movie Mode: Green Lantern’s Light (HD, 161 minutes): DCE Chief Creative Officer and Green Lantern comic book writer Geoff Johns leads viewers on a behind-the-scenes look at the film, its development, special effects, character designs and more. It’s more of a standard Picture-in-Picture track than a full-blown host-controlled Maximum Movie Mode, but it’s still a neat experience packed with cast and crew interviews, accessible Focus Point featurettes, pop-up trivia, character bios, etc.
- Focus Points (HD, 47 minutes): The Maximum Movie Mode’s production featurettes are also accessible from the main menu. Segments include “The Art of Green Lantern,” “Weapons Hot: The U.C.A.V. Dog Fight,” “Reinventing the Superhero Costume,” “Ring Slinging 101,” “We Are the Corps,” “Acting Under 10 Pounds of Silicone,” “Guardians Revealed” and “When Parallax Attacks.”
- The Universe According to Green Lantern (HD, 20 minutes): DC Comics artists, writers and executives, as well as filmmakers and fans, discuss the Green Lantern universe, its characters, mythos and comic book life.
- Ryan Reynolds Becomes the Green Lantern (HD, 9 minutes): Reynolds dons a pair of dotted pajamas to portray Hal Jordan and discusses the development of his character, his approach to the material and his preparation for the role.
- Deleted Scenes (HD, 7 minutes): Five deleted scenes.
- Justice League #1 Digital Comic (HD, 9 minutes): Enjoy the first issue of “Justice League” from “The New 52” DC Comics relaunch.
- Preview of Green Lantern: The Animated Series (HD, 7 minutes): Green Lantern: The Animated Series looks pretty good in motion and has solid voicework to boot.
- PS3 Arkham City Character Skin Code: Suit up as Sinestro Corps Batman in the PS3 version of Arkham City.
- UltraViolet Digital Copy
