Reel Review: The Green Hornet is a 2011 superhero comedy film, based on the Green Hornet character that had originated in a 1930s radio program and has appeared in movie serials, a television series, comic books and other media. Directed by Michel Gondry, the film stars Seth Rogen, who co-wrote the screenplay with Evan Goldberg. Supporting actors include Jay Chou as Kato, Christoph Waltz, Cameron Diaz, Edward James Olmos, David Harbour, and Tom Wilkinson.
The film was released in North America and Japan on January 12, 2011 and the United Kingdom and Ireland on January 14, 2011, in versions including RealD Cinema and IMAX 3D.
What’s Inside: Pursued by police as a wanted criminal, the masked vigilante Green Hornet is actually Britt Reid (Seth Rogen), owner and publisher of muckraking journal the Daily Sentinel. Reid’s dual identity is known only to his secretary and the city district attorney. The Hornet spends his off hours thwarting criminals with his Black Beauty, a souped-up crime-fighting vehicle and guns that fire non-lethal knockout gas and steel-piercing stingers. So far as police are concerned, the Hornet is himself a criminal; this misunderstanding enables Reid to operate “outside the law” to battle criminals and racketeers with his faithful valet Kato (Jay Chou), the only living person who knows the true identity of the Hornet.
Wrapping It Up: As it turns out, “The Green Hornet” isn’t really a superhero movie at all. It’s actually more of a slacker buddy comedy with the occasional car chase and explosion. Whatever Seth Rogen and director Michel Gondry’s creative process was, however, the results are goofy, sweet, incredibly awkward and sometimes surprisingly hilarious.
Although it looks as if the movie’s title suggests it is an action superhero movie, you are going to be sorely disappointed. Seth Rogen is commendable for really shaping up for the role. He gave Green Hornet that awkward but extremely funny feel in the movie.
Jay Chou, though, plays Kato as an extreme loner who never had time to develop a ton of social skills while he was out being awesome, and he and Rogen do manage to have some genuinely sweet moments.
Cristoph Waltz has an almost absurdist turn as a villain clearly going through a midlife crisis of some kind, and is owed the credit for one half of what may be the oddest yet most genius villain showdown ever (points to James Franco for the other half). Cameron Diaz, as the movie’s only female character with more than five lines, is there solely to make sure the boys fight later. Although it looks as if she has a big role in this film, she actually does not. However, she does what she can with the extremely small portion she’s been given. Surprise, surprise.
In the end, though, it’s the two guys who are the real attraction of the movie. But for the sake of your expectations, don’t make the mistake of calling them the heroes. Don’t make the mistake of watching this movie in 3D either. Just a normal movie format is enough.