Green Lantern Rewatch: 5 Reasons I Still Enjoy the 2011 Movie

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Previously mentioned and repeating for emphasis: Following the latest Superman trailer (with little excitement from the Marvel Universe in sight), I’ve switched allegiances and am currently a devoted fan of the DC universe.

After my recent transformation, I find myself reflecting on both the past and the future. To be clear, this isn’t a change in my feelings towards the Snyderverse (although it did have its merits, I’m glad that chapter has closed). However, anything that happened before Man of Steel is now open for reconsideration.

In addition to the upcoming streaming series, “Lanterns,” I figured this could be the perfect opportunity to revisit 2011’s “Green Lantern.” Despite many people’s criticisms, even Ryan Reynolds isn’t a fan, I must confess that I enjoyed it when it first came out, and I still do now. Here’s why:

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With the premiere of the new streaming show, “Lanterns,” approaching, I thought it was as good a time as any to revisit 2011’s “Green Lantern.” Although many people think it’s not great (even Ryan Reynolds himself isn’t fond of it), I found myself enjoying it when it was first released and still do today. Let me explain why.

The Movie Does A Pretty Good Job Of Introducing The Green Lantern Corps To Newbies Like Myself

Before I watched the 2011 film “Green Lantern,” I hadn’t read even one issue of the “Green Lantern” comic book. Although I had some familiarity with the character due to occasional viewings of the “Justice League” cartoon, which featured a Black Green Lantern, who turned out to be just one variation of the character among many others.

Apart from his mysterious background and the reason behind his title as Green Lantern, since he consistently utilized a ring, to be honest, I didn’t recognize him at all, not even with Adam or Alan Scott.

Initially, when I saw the film, I discovered the Green Lantern Corp and their role as an interstellar peacekeeping force – reminiscent of Marvel’s Nova Corps. Reflecting on it now, it seems likely that this concept was borrowed from DC, quite a shift for me, coming from Marvel.

In the film, various race representations within the Corps are effectively highlighted, and it’s exceptional because Hal Jordan, played by Ryan Reynolds, becomes the first human ever selected for membership in this exclusive team.

As a devoted cinephile, let me express how astoundingly impressed I was upon my revisit to this masterpiece. Right from the start, we’re introduced to the Corps, an enigmatic group, along with Abin Sur – a Green Lantern hailing from another galaxy. We also learn about the green power of will, which might seem bizarre at first (the green light of willpower?!?), but it’s expertly presented in such a way that even someone like me, new to this universe, could grasp easily, and that’s truly remarkable!

I Still Don’t Mind The CGI-Suit. I Think It Looks Neat

In the film, there was quite a stir over the appearance of the CGI-suited character, with many viewers expressing their disappointment and suggesting that a real-life costume might have been more acceptable instead.

If you take a peek at or revisit a film featuring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as Deadpool and Wolverine respectively, both actors are stunning in their costumes. To be exact, many viewers were thrilled to see Jackman wearing Wolvie’s iconic yellow suit, which was undeniably one of the movie’s most exciting moments.

And yet…I still really like the CGI-suit in Green Lantern. I think it’s neat.

To be honest, the concept of the Corps donning ordinary, everyday materials from our mundane world feels somewhat out of sync with their otherworldly nature.

Absolutely, I understand your point. It’s a film, after all, which allows for a certain level of creative license. However, the concept of an unusual or fantastical aspect (in this case, the CGI suit) appeals to me because it fits well with the idea that it should appear alien-like, given its origins in the storyline.

Additionally, I previously mentioned that the suit appears quite stylish. The way light plays off of it, causing it to gleam at various instances, truly captivates me. I admire how the mask is strategically revealed when needed. Furthermore, I find it intriguing that the suit seems to originate from space, rather than being just another piece of fabric. Even after all these years, I continue to be amazed by its design, and I believe using CGI was a wise decision, despite some critics’ opinions.

Ryan Reynolds Actually Makes For A Good Hal Jordan

To be honest, before watching this film, I was completely unfamiliar with the character of Green Lantern, and more so, I had zero knowledge about Hal Jordan.

Using video games such as the Injustice series and animated Green Lantern films, I’ve gained insights into the character of Hal Jordan and his significant position within the Green Lantern lore.

As a dedicated fan, I’d say I’m often thought of as the quintessential Green Lantern, the one most commonly linked to this iconic character. Although Alan Scott was the original in the comics, Hal Jordan is the version that resonates most with people (even though personally, I lean more towards John Stewart).

Hal’s character is endearing due to numerous appealing qualities. For instance, he manages his fears effectively, possesses a touch of arrogance, and isn’t afraid to be witty or sarcastic. It’s precisely these traits that make Nathan Fillion the ideal choice for portraying him.

To be honest, it’s a contentious point, but I personally believe that Ryan Reynolds excels more as Deadpool than he does as Hal Jordan. This could be because I’ve had more exposure to the character of Deadpool compared to Green Lantern. Despite the fact that Reynolds delivers an outstanding performance as the Merc with a Mouth, I also feel that Reynolds might be too kind-hearted to truly embody Deadpool effectively.

In simpler terms, I find it challenging to distinguish between Ryan Reynolds as an actor and his portrayal of Deadpool. While Deadpool is known for breaking the fourth wall and being a wisecracking character, I believe there’s a touch of sarcasm that seems somewhat absent in Reynolds’ performance of the role.

In light of my current understanding, I believe the portrayal of his Hal character is excellent, and it certainly fits well.

Green Lantern’s Powers Still Look Cool

It’s often remarked by many that my movie preferences might not align with theirs, particularly in the realm of comic book adaptations. Given my enthusiasm for “The Eternals”, it seems I don’t exactly fit the mold, and I even enjoyed the latest “Joker: Folie a Deux” which, it appears, left most people indifferent.

Despite any differences in our movie preferences, there’s something we can both appreciate: the remarkable superpowers showcased by Green Lantern.

Possessing the knack to transform any idea into a concrete, verdant weapon is truly remarkable. Essentially, lanterns are characterized by their powerful imagination. In my opinion, the film brilliantly demonstrates this ability.

It’s always exciting to see the impressive displays of their skills, whether they’re creating a Gatling gun, constructing a ramp seemingly out of nothing, or defending themselves with some barrier – these special effects never fail to impress!

To put it simply, while the action is satisfying, I can’t help but long for more creative expressions from Green Lantern. I find myself yearning to witness a broader spectrum of his imaginative powers.

Perhaps if we had gotten a sequel, we would have seen more of it. Oh, and speaking of which…

I Also Really Love The Sinestro Tease For The Sequel We’ll Never Get

Lastly, I really love all of the world-building and teases for the sequel that we’ll never get.

It’s unfortunate, even for a film I enjoy, that Green Lantern didn’t manage to spark the world with green power, but I can only take solace in the mid-credit scene featuring Sinestro (played by Mark Strong) donning the yellow ring.

Initially, when I started watching, I was completely unaware of the significance of these characters’ appearances. Specifically, I didn’t comprehend the various color schemes (and didn’t realize there were multiple colors such as red, orange, indigo, among others).

To put it simply, I was aware that the Green Lantern character would transform into a Yellow Lantern, implying an exciting Green Lantern versus Sinestro confrontation in the next installment. Sadly, it appears that such a sequel won’t include this narrative, at least not for this movie.

Despite the wait, I’m still eager for Lanterns, as it might bring us a new take on it. After all, even a Blue Lantern shouldn’t lose hope, right? (I thought that little wink would be fun!)

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2025-01-19 19:07