Why The Green Hornet Makes Sense (a review of some kind)

Why The Green Hornet Makes Sense (a review of some kind)

As I believe die hard fans may not like this movie, I offer my take of why I think The Green Hornet makes sense. I think it’s spoiler free. If there's some, I'm sure it's minimum and not very important. Click to find out.

Editorial Opinion
By Orehrepus - Feb 07, 2011 02:02 AM EST
Filed Under: Green Hornet

First of all, please allow me to apologize to fellow movie lovers out there who like and defend X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Please note that I don’t apologize to Fox. I still hate them. LMFAO! However, after hearing people’s comments and expectations towards The Green Hornet BEFORE the release and actually watching it, I understand now, why some people DO like XMO:W when I (and plenty others) felt like it’s a total crapfest. It will be revealed as I go along. Please bear with me, as this also happens to be my first article. Here goes:

The Green Hornet opens with little Britt showed as a good hearted kid who wants to help others, but being mistreated by a busy father with stiff integrity and principle. This, I’m sure, is the setup for Britt’s character, which would explain why he helps people later on, even though it backfires on him. Good setup, in my opinion. Short yet to the point.


Then, yes, I fully admit, it turns into a totally completely Seth Rogen movie, plus a lot of amazing action. This is where the revelation of why people like XMO:W kicks me square in the balls. I don’t mind this at all! “This” being The Green Hornet turned into a Seth Rogen movie. I realized that I know close to nothing about The Green Hornet. I never heard the radio show, never read the comic books and only watched a handful of episodes of the old series when I was, like, 7 or something, that I don’t remember ANY of it. The story, the characterization. Everything! I only know that it’s the story of a rich man who wears a mask, accompanied by his trusted sidekick (who kicks serious ass) played by Bruce Lee, and they fight crime in a cool car. That’s it!

With that in mind, everything makes sense in this movie. A kid spoiled into a… well, a spoiled brat, by a motherless situation and a busy unattentive father, WILL surely become an A-hole kid in a grown-up body. One thing led to another, he inherits a crapload of money and realizes that becoming The Green Hornet is simply a different way of partying with a dose of adrenaline rush and ego booster, all based on the hatred towards his late father.

Die hard fans of The Green Hornet, however, by this time would think “Crap, this is NOT The Green Hornet! Where is the scary, serious, Britt that I know and love?” I know for certain because that’s exactly the thoughts I had when I watched XMO:W. But here, I fully accepted this rendetion of The Green Hornet because he has every reason to be this way. To be a complete A-hole vigilante until very close to the end of the movie. Even the gas gun makes sense! LMFAO! My thought on that is, that scary, serious, Britt that everyone else know and love will certainly come to be in the tenth or twelfth sequel. But for now, I like this hero, I like this movie. It’s funny as hell, action packed, visually amazing (that everyone would surely expect from Gondry,) some sexy women around (but not too much nor too revealing that I felt safe watching it with my ten year old son) and Cameron Diaz is not annoying.



Other notes on the movie:
Jay Chou doesn’t even try to be Bruce Lee. And that’s a good point. He doesn’t need to and there’s enough good homage to Bruce Lee anyway. He doesn’t try to speak English perfectly, which is also a good thing, because it accentuates who he is. He looks chubby than in his previous movies, but still good as Kato.

Cristoph Waltz is good as Chudnofsky. Too bad his character is changed in the end. It shouldn’t have been. That’s probably the only down side of the whole script.

Cameron Diaz is not too sexy and not trying to be, which is very good, because she’s not. Not anymore. She’s actually perfect for this role.

The whole story is light and predictable. But the twist of how things came to be for Britt, Kato, The Green Hornet, the role of Diaz, is unorthodox and enjoyable.

The 3D, though it’s a conversion, is AMAZING! I think this is why Gondry chose to direct a full length feature film now. Because 3D technology is available. He has to make a film in 3D. There’s no other way he should make a movie. Every single shot looks like we’re watching a living moving diorama. Visually, this movie is stunning.

All in all, it’s a solid funny, action packed movie with a good entertaining story. So, okay, you may not agree. Don’t crap your pants. Just leave your comments in the usual place. Be gentle. Remember, it’s my first time. LOL!
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manymade1
manymade1 - 2/7/2011, 4:34 AM
If I grew up on the show id probally hate it, but it was good to me. It was just bad as an adaption. Nice review dude.
marvel72
marvel72 - 2/7/2011, 6:21 AM
the film was shit,its definetly one of the worse comic book movies ever.

x-men first class will be better than this.

its taken $87 million in the u.s,but had a $130 million budget.
Dmon
Dmon - 2/7/2011, 12:10 PM
I was a fan of Green Hornet when I was a kid watching the show on FX and reading the NOW comics I also have some of the radio show on cassette tape along with some of the Lone Ranger shows. Seth's GH was not that different from the 3rd generation GH in the 90s NOW comics him being kind of an alcoholic and an ass hole some times. You can't expect a story that takes place today for the GH to act like he did during the radio era and the 60's. People dont take themselves as serious anymore GH is not brooding Batman. Hell I am a P.I. and I joke all the time and have fun with it and still make a good living at it more then I ever made in IT but I dont act like Sam Spade(Humphrey Bogart) or a 1940s P.I. for god sake.

@marvel72 You seem to bad mouth anything that is not Marvel. And you are lying about the budget it was $120 million. Also Worldwide it made $171,022,000 so you are trying to down play it. They did make their money back. Not to mention what it will make in DVD sells. Even though Kick Ass cost a lot less to make, more people went to go see the Green Hornet. I went and paid to see GH in 3D and had a good time. With Kick Ass I downloaded it and watched it on my PC didn't even bother to waste a DVD on it and was glad I did not buy a ticket. Same thing with X-Men Origins: Wolverine. I will also be downloading First Class. HA
Dmon
Dmon - 2/7/2011, 12:26 PM
Also the gas gun thing did not bother me at all. When I was in the Marines me and my buddies used to mess around with CS gas or get a smoke grenade and use a heat tab to turn it into a CS gas grenade and use it on each other as a prank. We even made Boobs and cocks out of C4 then set them off, even though war is serious business we never took our selves to serious. Hell even today me and my friends sometimes shock each other with stun batons as a joke.
marvel72
marvel72 - 2/7/2011, 1:13 PM
@ dmon

not the case,i thought kick ass was the best comic book movie of last year.

i think the watchmen is the best comic book movie ever.

i love the crow,v for vendetta,sin city & 300.

i want the green lantern to be great,but i haven't seen anything thats blown me away,mark strong as sinestro might be the savior,still think i'm biased.

so i was $10 million out,$171 million world wide is a flop,a film studio would like to see double or even treble of what it cost to make.

i watched the green hornet around a friends house,i'm so pleased i didn't pay for it,as for x-men first class i want it to fail at the box office & again i will not be paying to see it,but it'll still out gross green hornet.
Kalabog
Kalabog - 2/7/2011, 5:27 PM
I watch the Green Hornet during its premiere night in my country and in 3D version. A part of me tells me that I totally wasted my money and a part of me tells me its worth it-- because now I can objectively warn everyone that I watch it first hand, in 3D and it is a mediocre comic book super hero movie.

1) Main Flaw : Rogan's Green Hornet is a goofball. They are converting Green Hornet image to Lethal Weapon-- well Rogan's GH is not Mel Gibson and not even Danny Glover. He is Joe Pesci. His goofiness is so annoying and distracting that is unbelievable for crimefighter.

2) The Green Hornet has one of the best and most recognizable Themes for a superhero. IT WAS ALMOST NEVER USED!!!

3) They erroneously capitalized on Kato's skill and over emphasized GH as a GOOFBALL. The original GH is a "BRAINS and BRAWN TANDEM". In Rogan's version brains is assigned to LENORE CASE. Why? So they can emphsize how useless Green Hornet is. Instead of coming up an acceptable background to explain how a millionaire publisher can be an effective crime fighter they opted to focus how hillarious the GH concept is.

4) The jokes-- there may be few that could give you a chuckle. If you are a fan of Seth Rogan then this is your movie.

5) The action -- Not really outstanding enough to be noticed amidst Rogan's silliness.

6) Human side-- perhaps it is here that the movie might excel. But because Rogan was not good as an actor I wasn't able to identify with his angst.

7) And finally the 3D effects. What 3D effects? The film was obviously not originally made for 3D. The best 3D effects were not in the martial arts nor in the car chase scenes but on the two flying bottle caps! SO DON"T WATCH IT ON 3D PEOPLE CAUSE YOU WON'T MISS ANYTHING.



Overall perhaps the only ones who could enjoy this flick are kids who totally has no idea who the Green Hornet is. For comic book, superhero, crimefighter fans (whether you know Green Hornet or not) you will find this flick rather bland. Because over all its not a even a close adaptation of the crimefighter but instead expect another Seth Rogan movie.



Orehrepus
Orehrepus - 2/7/2011, 8:13 PM
Thanks a lot for the comments, guys! People actually read my stuff. LOL!

@Tea:
What didn't? Is there such a thing as "enough boobs"? LOL!

@manymade1:
Thanks!

@marvel72:
So, I take it you don't like it? LOL! Chill, man. But, yeah, we do that sometimes. Watch it simply so we can bash it better. LMFAO!

@Dmon:
Whoa! Someone like you, I don't expect. Kick ass marine turned PI with a sense of humor? Your life must be an adventure film by itself. I'm glad you like The Green Hornet although you know the character.

It's genuine admiration, if you're wondering. Not sarcasm. Honest.

@Kalabog:
Exactly my point!
I agree with you almost 100%!

"The Green Hornet has one of the best and most recognizable Themes for a superhero"
I thought Batman does. LOL!

But, really, thanks a lot! Your comment is the living breathing embodiment of my whole point. You have to hate The Green Hornet. And for those exact reasons, too.

I wish MTL read this. I forgot his name, but people usually call him MTL.
Kalabog
Kalabog - 2/8/2011, 12:49 AM
@Orehrepus
Well to be honest I did based my final message in your review. Yep I really was disappointed at Seth Rogan for what they did to GH but you are right. Kids will really enjoy this flick.

Yeah I really dig Batman theme both the 60's and Tim Burton's. Together with Superman (esp John Williams), spiderman (TV cartoon 60s) , the lone ranger aaaaaand the Green hornet are perhaps the most recognizeable themes.

Yep I also envy you for getting more comments. Perhaps maybe my avatar has something to do with it. Mine has that grumpy frown and yours has that refreshing Anthony Hopkins smile. :-D
Kalabog
Kalabog - 2/8/2011, 1:02 AM
Ooops I forgot to include this:

In fairness to Seth Rogan he is entertaining as goofy superhero and I expect him to back. No not as Green Hornet (NO! NO! NOOOO! PLEASE NO!!!) but as "Mr. H" -- THE GREATEST AMERICAN SUPERHERO.

Orehrepus
Orehrepus - 2/8/2011, 3:08 AM
LOL! Your avatar is awesome!
And hell yeah, never thought about that, but Seth Rogen would be perfect for the remake of The Greatest American Hero!
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