1 out of 5 Popcorn Kernels
There are some movies that arrive and I see, who's value is so below the radar that I am tempted to hold back in writing about it - but you can't account for taste, thus I have to give a modest review for all those that actually liked and was entertained by this movie which follows a long list of Superhero films.
The Green Hornet comes from a radio program of the same name, and eventually from a similar film which starred Bruce Lee (non of which I have experienced). I am more attuned to the reality-based superhero movies which take on a more comic book feel - where situations mimic the lives we all live emotionally (The Dark Knight, Spiderman, Superman), but this movie falls between the realm of reality and slapstick...and not very well I might add. I had assumed that this movie would be one similar in its Suspension of Belief as Kick-Ass or Scott Williams vs The World (both great films), but this one came below My Ex-SuperGirlfriend or Hancock (still both good). This one was not.
This films stars a rich kid (or adult) Britt Reid (Seth Rogen) and his father, James (Tom Wilkinson - Why?) who runs a newspaper, and their coffee maker/chauffeur (really?) Kato (Jay Chou). After his father's untimely death, Britt has to run the paper and handle life of the rich & famous all by himself, so after a night or romping and rowdiness, he decides that the superhero life is for him...and why not bring along a guy that makes a great cup of coffee as your sidekick?
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So The Green Hornet arrives in the guise of a criminal to...Catch-A-Thief (so to speak). It's a win-win if you ask me. The real criminal however, named Chudnofshy (who eventually becomes Bloodnofsky - played by Christopher Waltz), is a drug king. Then there is the Evil Attorney, Scanlon (David Harbour), who wants the paper for his own ends; both go against the Green Hornet to advance their evil goals.
Oh yes, there is the love interest of Lenore Case (Cameron Diaz), who's only purpose I could see is to balance out all the testosterone in this feature.
Whew...there you have it. Good vs Evil, Love is in he air, and confusion within the public ensues as to who are the real criminals. The pacing of the movie is very quick, so much so, that at times I was wondering why so much meaninglessness was happening on the screen except to be able to meet the full running time the movie had to reach to be considered a movie and not a commercial. The fight scenes were nice, but I have seen them before. I did find that the sidekick Kato (Jay Chou) was at least an interesting study, and almost wished the roles were reversed, because Britt as the Green Hornet was a little too childish, lacking of skills, and inept to be successful as a superhero of anything. His arch as a playboy-type continues throughout the movie unchanged, while Kato appears very independent at first and has to learn to act as a team player (a very submissive role that I saw as quite deterring, but maybe this is how the radio program worked, but I doubt an Asian filled that voice), and that shift in personality makes him more watchable.
I also ached for Christopher Waltz who won an Oscar for Inglorious Bastards (was this done as a favor?) who plays his part well with dedication and I could see how fun he would be if this story were a bit more serious, but when everybody is acting like a clown, what's the point of going to the circus? We needed a lion-tamer, a trapeze artist, anything to make this more real; even if it is suppose to be comedic. And I assume because Seth Rogen did his part in writing the screenplay - this was the reason for the miscasting (of himself). A shame.
But as I have said, this movie appealed to many (based on the opening box office sales). The Rock-Soundtrack will let you know the age group this is catered to. And if recycled action, thin storyline, and great actors taking sub-par roles is for you...well enjoy.
As for me...watching the butter dry on my popcorn was better entertainment.
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