So, I saw the Green Hornet at an advanced preview screening and and it was good. I can honestly say see it. You won't have that, "I can never get this time back" or "I can't believe I paid 10 bucks" feeling from this movie.
You might recall that I have been thinking about the neo-pulp moment. To me the return of classic pulp characters to the small screen (The Cape) and big screen extends and progresses a message of masculinity, identity, and agency linked to the American experience. The Green Hornet is a reboot movie and works in part because the character's placement in U.S. popular culture is distinct, but limited. This movie was funny, had lots of action, and interesting visuals. There is something more to be said here. The visual engagement in the Green Hornet has little to nothing to do with 3D, that was pointless. The greatest impact of the 3D, in my opinion, is the end credits sequence. The visual artistry comes from Michel Gondry's innovative approach to framing the action. These visual tricks are aided by 3D effect a little, but it is more about his approach to telling the story.
On the whole, I think the film made maximum use of what was understood about the Green Hornet. The car (Black Beauty), the Mask, and Kato. This is what you remember from the tv show (how many people have read a Green Hornet comic?). The fact the movie goes to such great pains to acknowledge Kato's coolness versus the Britt Reid is a direct comment on the specter of Bruce Lee's Kato being second fiddle to Van Williams Green Hornet. The film corrects this and other point of obvious contention. Moreover, it recognize the conventions associated with modern superhero movies and tries to avoid them as well. The billionaire playboy superhero is everywhere, how is Green Hornet different? Well, he doesn't evolve as much as you might expect. Tony Stark has similar path on film, but Rogen's Reid is a work in progress in every way imaginable. Still, you can tell he wants to do the right thing. The movie is accessible and enjoyable on multiple levels. While the film, will likely do well (not super blockbuster, but well). I don't know that people know the Green Hornet enough to be super excited, so the audience is making a judgment based on Rogen, does this look cool, and maybe 3D.
Still, thinking about the character and the link between dynastic authority and struggle to insure community stability, this film does some interesting things with our understanding of the masked hero, especially considering its placement in the midst of ongoing debate about the United States' internal and external identity.
More to Come
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