Film Review: The Green Hornet

It’s been said The Dark Knight changed the way comic-book movies are made. That film is one of my favourites, and it certainly transcended general perception of what a comic-book movie should be. It was a dark, brooding crime film that just happens to have a comic book character as the main protagonist. I loved it. But sometimes, a “comic-book” movie needs to be just that; a comic book movie.

The Green Hornet stars Seth Rogen as Britt Reid, a rebellious, party-boy slacker who has reaped the benefits of his father’s LA newspaper empire. When the elder Reid (Tom Wilkinson) dies and leaves his paper, The Daily Sentinel, to his son, Britt passes off control to his father’s right-hand man – unwilling to accept responsibility. Britt, who holds resentment towards his father, bonds with Kato, the mechanic and coffee-maker of the estate and, after an evening of drinking, they decide to “go do something crazy”.

They go out, dressed in disguise to vandalize the statue that was erected in honour of Brit’s father and end up beating up some thugs in the process, saving a couple’s lives – which invigorates them. The next day, the news only focuses on the vandalism and Britt decides to use The Daily Sentinel to spread word about The Green Hornet, making himself appear to be a criminal, while he intends to take down crime as a vigilante. This soon garners the attention of Chudnofsky (Christoph Waltz), an LA mafia boss who seeks to control all of the crime in the city.

Seth Rogen also co-wrote the script, which is crisply paced and loaded with funny dialogue and gags. It teeters on the edge of parody, yet fully embraces the comic-book world in which it’s clearly based. There’s tons of action with gun fights, explosions and car-chases, yet it always has an underbelly of comic fun which makes watching it a blast. It’s a leave-your-brain-at-he-door popcorn flick. The movie wouldn’t be what it is, however without some strong characters.

Seth Rogen as Britt Reid isn’t entirely likeable – he’s kind of a jerk – but he makes up for it with his sense of humour, and he has charm as the bumbling “hero”. Jay Chou steals the show - and a good chunk of the laughs - as Kato, The Green Hornet’s sidekick, who is actually the one that gets things done in the partnership. He has the brains and the fighting skills that end up making Britt look good. Christoph Waltz is fantastic as Chudnofsky, the mafia boss with a “fear-me” complex; picture his character in Inglorious Basterds, only more comically zany.

The movie certainly isn’t perfect. It lacks a true sense of focus and the story really comes secondary to the action and comedy, but as far as having fun at a movie goes, I can’t complain. Although I will complain about it being in 3D; I’m not a fan of the oversaturation of 3D movies being released, especially when, like the Green Hornet, it’s done just to cash in on the fad – which usually only hinders my enjoyment. I didn’t get anything extra from watching the movie in this format…except maybe a headache from wearing the glasses.

3 Dented Bumpers*





*Crash’s Film Rating Legend:

5 DB’s -- Freaking Fantastic! (a rating that’s not easily attained.)
4–4.5 DB’s -- Great: It’s worth seeing again/owning.
3–3.5 DB’s -- Decent – Good (I’d watch it again on cable)
2–2.5 DB’s -- Meh; (possibly had potential, but I won’t watch it again)
1DB -- Awful; I want my money back.

Anything less is not even worth downloading illegally

-Crash-