Movie Review Rewind: The Green Hornet (2011)

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Seth Rogen as a superhero? Seriously? It’s true and he does a pretty good job being one. The Green Hornet is not your regular “Superhero” movie. Yes there is action and car chases, but the approach and tone is noticeably different and, in the end, it makes the movie better because it is not taking itself too seriously.

Seth Rogen plays The Green Hornet as himself in a mask. His character, Britt Reid, is a partier and has no responsibility whatsoever. He is the heir of his father’s (Tom Wilkinson) paper “The Daily Sentinel” and takes over after his father suddenly dies. And, once he meets his father’s assistant, Kato (Jay Chou), and discovers cars and kung fu are his specialty, they team up to take on crime. Once they save one person’s life, they just can’t get enough.

Earlier, I mentioned the tone and approach is different in this movie than in other movies like Iron Man or The Dark Knight. The Green Hornet, directed by Michael Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), is light-hearted and feels like everyone is simply kidding around. Rogen’s character lacks confidence but still has a huge ego. He can’t really fight and the gun he has shoots sleeping gas. Criminals would almost laugh in the face of this Green Hornet. However, you add Kato and a bad-ass car full of gadgets, then fear takes over. So thankfully, The Green Hornet has some back-up.

Christoph Waltz plays the villain in the movie. His character, Chudnofsky (later becoming Bloodnofsky) is not like his character in Inglourious Basterds. Waltz is not as ruthless or tense, and seems to just be having fun with this. Once he turns in to “Bloodnofsky”, he starts wearing red and riding in a red vehicle. This goes to show you how ridiculous yet entertaining all the characters are.

The Green Hornet is one of those movies where you just need to sit back and enjoy because it’s fun to watch. It is a “superhero” movie with a different style and it works in its favor. Did Cameron Diaz need to be in it? No. She does nothing and her character is pointless. That goes for the 3D as well. It is useless and does nothing. But, the movie is lighthearted and provides entertainment and action for all. That’s good enough for me.

“Nature Boy” Brandon Vick is the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and star of Brandon’s Box Office In Your Mouth. Follow him on Twitter@SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.

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