For the folks over at Moving Pictures, I reviewed The Green Hornet.
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| Beginning with its January 31, 1936, radio premiere and on through a pair of successful movie serials, “The Green Hornet” featured prominently in American pop culture of the 1940s. Since the radio show’s 1952 demise, only the short-lived 1966-1967 TV series, primarily remembered for the first American appearance of Bruce Lee, and a smattering of comic books have attempted to continue the once-popular character’s legacy. Director Michel Gondry (“Be Kind Rewind”) with the aid of star and screenwriter Seth Rogen (“Funny People”) attempts to re-energize the franchise with the lackluster “Green Hornet.” |
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| As with other similar fictional partnerships (see the Lone Ranger and Tonto), the minority sidekick offers the more fascinating and essential role within the tandem. Overcoming the hackneyed dialogue and background story, the charismatic Chou, much like Lee in the TV show, dominates his scenes with the less intriguing leading man. One wonders if Kato, who develops all the gadgets and supplies the combat savvy for the duo, or Chou really need the Green Hornet or Rogen. |
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| After an entertaining opening act — complete with an uncredited James Franco as a wannabe villain — Gondry unwisely reins in the more over-the-top elements as the film quickly descends into the purgatory of other unsuccessful superhero parodies. Ultimately a string of mediocre “Saturday Night Live” skits, “The Green Hornet” produces the occasional chuckle but mostly leaves the viewer bored, wondering where the past 90 minutes went. |
Check out my full review at the Moving Pictures.