The Green Hornet Review
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Last night I finally got a chance to watch "The Green Hornet" starring Seth Rogen, Jay Chou and Cameron Diaz. Is this worth the full price of admission, or will you be stung?
Story Synopsis - Britt Reid, son and heir to Los Angeles' largest newspaper fortune, is a rich, spoiled playboy who has been happy to maintain a direction-less existence. When his father James Reid dies, Britt meets an impressive and resourceful company employee, Kato. They realize that they have the resources to do something worthwhile with their lives and finally step out of James Reid's shadow. Kato builds the ultimate weapon, The Black Beauty, an indestructible car with every weapon imaginable and Britt decides that in order to be heroes, they will pose as villains. With the help of Britt's new secretary, Lenore Case, they learn that the chief criminal in the city is named Benjamin Chudnofsky. He has united all the gangs under his power, and he quickly sees that the Green Hornet is a direct threat to the prosperous criminal underworld he controls.
The story is fun to watch. Each of the important characters gets their back-story. However the villain Benjamin Chudnofsky is funny to watch, but he's not really a threat. He's kind of boring to watch and his purpose to be the head guy is kind of pointless. He has this thing about making people afraid him, that just comes off more as a comedic villain then a real threat to the Hornet. The Green Hornet gets outshine by his sidekick Kato. Watching the movie I felt that Kato is actually a more interested character. Better back story and more reasons to why he does what he does. Overall the story is average and the pacing is done world, but a lot of characters like Cameron Diaz character is just there. Problem with the story is The Green Hornet is such a dick in this movie, that you don't really care what happens to him. He miss treats Kato, he doesn't know how to talk to girl and in a way you hope he gets his. You don't really cheer for him like you do for Kato.
Acting - The acting is pretty good in this movie. The one who really stands out is Jay Chou as Kato. For those who remember Bruce Lee played Kato in the original Green Hornet, and Bruce kicked major ass. In this one Kato still kicks major ass and does a good job filling in the shoes. The choreography is wonderful when Kato is fighting. You even see a drawing of Bruce Lee in the movie. Seth Rogen as The Green Hornet was funny. But watching it I felt like both Seth and Cameron Diaz were not really playing characters, but themselves. The delivery was there in the lines, but it's nothing new performance wise you see from these two actors. Christopher Waltz is underused and his talents don't really show, due to the script and his character having nothing to do.
Music - The music is composed by James Newton Howard and it's one of the strongest aspect of the film. It compliments the scene and you will love the themes played in the movie. You even get a hint of the original theme sneaking into the scores sometimes.
Final Grade C-/**1/2- The Green Hornet is a fun movie that has it's moments. Jay Chou steals the show, but he is the only one holding the film from disaster. The story arc for The Green Hornet is not that interesting and you don't care for him. The set up is there, but the execution is not pulled off well. The villain is not interesting enough, and when you see James Franco cameo you will wish he was the main villain. Overall it's a movie you will see for a Matinée. Final Grade C-/ **1/2.
Story Synopsis - Britt Reid, son and heir to Los Angeles' largest newspaper fortune, is a rich, spoiled playboy who has been happy to maintain a direction-less existence. When his father James Reid dies, Britt meets an impressive and resourceful company employee, Kato. They realize that they have the resources to do something worthwhile with their lives and finally step out of James Reid's shadow. Kato builds the ultimate weapon, The Black Beauty, an indestructible car with every weapon imaginable and Britt decides that in order to be heroes, they will pose as villains. With the help of Britt's new secretary, Lenore Case, they learn that the chief criminal in the city is named Benjamin Chudnofsky. He has united all the gangs under his power, and he quickly sees that the Green Hornet is a direct threat to the prosperous criminal underworld he controls.
The story is fun to watch. Each of the important characters gets their back-story. However the villain Benjamin Chudnofsky is funny to watch, but he's not really a threat. He's kind of boring to watch and his purpose to be the head guy is kind of pointless. He has this thing about making people afraid him, that just comes off more as a comedic villain then a real threat to the Hornet. The Green Hornet gets outshine by his sidekick Kato. Watching the movie I felt that Kato is actually a more interested character. Better back story and more reasons to why he does what he does. Overall the story is average and the pacing is done world, but a lot of characters like Cameron Diaz character is just there. Problem with the story is The Green Hornet is such a dick in this movie, that you don't really care what happens to him. He miss treats Kato, he doesn't know how to talk to girl and in a way you hope he gets his. You don't really cheer for him like you do for Kato.
Acting - The acting is pretty good in this movie. The one who really stands out is Jay Chou as Kato. For those who remember Bruce Lee played Kato in the original Green Hornet, and Bruce kicked major ass. In this one Kato still kicks major ass and does a good job filling in the shoes. The choreography is wonderful when Kato is fighting. You even see a drawing of Bruce Lee in the movie. Seth Rogen as The Green Hornet was funny. But watching it I felt like both Seth and Cameron Diaz were not really playing characters, but themselves. The delivery was there in the lines, but it's nothing new performance wise you see from these two actors. Christopher Waltz is underused and his talents don't really show, due to the script and his character having nothing to do.
Music - The music is composed by James Newton Howard and it's one of the strongest aspect of the film. It compliments the scene and you will love the themes played in the movie. You even get a hint of the original theme sneaking into the scores sometimes.
Final Grade C-/**1/2- The Green Hornet is a fun movie that has it's moments. Jay Chou steals the show, but he is the only one holding the film from disaster. The story arc for The Green Hornet is not that interesting and you don't care for him. The set up is there, but the execution is not pulled off well. The villain is not interesting enough, and when you see James Franco cameo you will wish he was the main villain. Overall it's a movie you will see for a Matinée. Final Grade C-/ **1/2.
