Green Lantern

Millions of years before Earth was formed, the Green Lanterns were protecting the universe. Green willpower, channeled through their power rings, provides the Lanterns with super powers, used to protect their sectors, each spanning galaxies. Peace has ensued… until now! The evil Parallax has escaped his prison and has not only defeated several Lanterns, but is also consuming entire planets – with Earth in his sights.

Hal Jordan (Reynolds) is a typical example of humans – he can be the elite on one hand (in his case when it comes to the extreme of being a fighter jet pilot), but he can’t even sort out his personal life. When Abin Sur, a powerful Lantern, has a run-in with Parallax, he escapes to Earth, but is mortally wounded. His ring seeks out a new owner – it chooses Hal.

Hal undergoes Lantern training, but fails to impress Corps leader Sinestro (Strong) and flees in shame of the fear he’s exhibited. With Parallax approaching and intent on devouring the Earth, Hal needs a proverbial kick up the ass – and fellow pilot Carol (Lively) is just the woman to administer it.

This latest superhero offering from the comics conveyor belt sees DC unveil their universe-wide peace force. Martin Campbell has directed action movies before, with Casino Royale right up there with the best. Green Lantern benefits from this, crossing the best traits of Bond with rival Marvel’s superhero formula exhibited in the likes of Iron Man. Add in some stunning graphics such as a huge, spontaneously formed race track, and the result is an action packed blockbuster that doesn’t take itself too seriously but that ticks all the right boxes.

Robert Gardner