You have to feel sorry for Green Lantern. It isn’t as popular as the other comic books, such as Batman and Superman, but it still has a solid mythology that is considered one of DC’s best. Despite it’s mythology having every element needed to help turn it into a solid superhero film, Martin Campell, and Warner Bros. has unfortunately produced a big screen adaptation that's only going to leave fans underwhelmed.

The story follows Hal Jordan, cocky pilot who lives under the shadow that his revered father left, as he finds a dying alien who gives him the Green Lantern ring. He is transported to the Green Lantern planet where he finds out that the evil presence called Parallax, that feeds on fear, is consuming the galaxy one planet at the time, and guess what planet is next: Earth. Hal Jordan must find responsibility within himself in order to defeat parallax, while fighting a big headed scientist named Hector, and trying to impress his on-again-off-again girlfriend, played by Blake Lively.

The main problem with the story is that the filmmakers are trying to push too many storylines into a short period. There’s the story of the Green Lanterns trying to figure out a way to fight Parallax, while also needing to find time to train Hal Jordan. Then there’s the story of Hal Jordan feeling unworthy of himself, and not responsible enough to be a hero. Finally there’s the story of Hector Hammond gaining his own power from Parallax, and trying to gain everything he wants with this new power.

The first story should have been the one to focus on, as it was the most interesting of the three. There was a nice parallel of Hal having to step into the position of a highly revered Green Lantern in the same way he had to step into the shadow of his revered pilot father. This story would have been more than enough to help the character arc, as well as give a personal reason as to why being a Green Lantern is important for him. Focusing on this storyline would have also helped audiences connect more with the intergalactic Green Lantern corps, and help make viewers understand their mythology, which this film never fully explored. Their world and their conflict was much more captivating and intriguing then everything that was happening on earth. Additionally, when the whole galaxy is at risk it’s hard to really care about Ryan Reynolds trying to get laid by Blake Lively.

The story of the human villain's rise, Hector Hammond, and the discovery of his powers was completely unnecessary. It felt tacked on, as if the filmmakers didn't trust the threat of Parallax to be enough to carry the story. Where many other storylines weren't given enough attention, Hammond's evolution was given too much attention. There were times where his story seemed like the main plot of the film, but didn't serve anything towards the film's end goal. They could have cut the character out of the film completely, and it would have been the same film.

Another huge problem with the film is that it has a hard time building up to an end. Jordan isn't working towards anything specific, and spends most of his time doing isolated unmotivated acts. The ending of the film had Jordan making the decision to fight Parallax alone, but there was no motivation behind his decision. Why would he not want their help? Why would he put earthlings at risk even when the Green Lanterns had acquired the power to defeat Parallax easily? How is fighting a galactic creature, with powers that he barely has control over, being responsible? There was no cohesiveness to the character's actions, and it was hard to find any reason for his decisions, to the point where a majority of the film's plot points were deus ex machina.

There was many doubts that Ryan Reynolds would not be able to accurately portray Hal Jordan. I'm afraid to admit fans' doubts were well placed. Half of the problem is that Ryan Reynolds is playing Ryan Reynolds. He isn't trying to personify the character, but is trying to make the character his own. Which would be fine if it weren't for the fact that Ryan Reynolds doesn't share most of the aspects that Hal Jordan is suppose to display. His confident cockiness felt more naive then assured, and his range of emotion never went pass happy or sad. Even when he arrives on the Green Lantern planet it doesn't take long for him to feel like a frat boy at a beer factory. Jordan required a great deal of dramatic acting that the overly-comedic Reynolds could never properly portray.

Blake Lively was mostly on acting autopilot. She doesn't display anything extraordinary that makes her character anything more than a damsel in distress. While this is mostly the fault of the screenwriters, I at least expected Lively to try to put her own personal twist to the character, to make her feel more vivid and three-dimensional. It's hard to believe a privileged pilot could be as boring as she portrayed her to be.

While Peter Sarsgaard's character may not fit into the narrative as well as he should, Sarsgaard still gave one of the most interesting performances of the film. He was creepy, but never campy. He shared some of the same parental issues that Reynolds was suppose to display in his character, but, unlike Reynolds, was successfully able to personify them. Unfortunately, the writers never tried taking advantage of the two character's similarities, which would have gave both of them some much needed dynamics to their relationship, and would have warranted the character's place in the story. Sarsgaard built Hammond to be a tragic hero, one that Jordan could have became, although the writers threw this unique aspect out the door during the third act.

Mark Strong was one of the only other standouts of the film. It's a shame that the writers didn't explore his character more, but Strong was able to take what little they gave him and give an engaging performance. The gravity of the situation was only enhanced by Strong's stern approach to portraying a concerned leader, who had lost the mentor that had the answers he needed. He properly explored Sinestro's subtle and hidden desperation, as well as his fears, which were traits that would ultimately lead him into becoming the very monster he was trying to destroy. However, these nuances were not given as much screen time as they needed, and, just like a comet, could be missed with in the blink of an eye.

I usually do not count visual effects to be a negative or a positive aspect when grading a film. Great stories, and great acting is what makes a film engaging and worth seeing. However, when the visual effects are distractingly non-consistent to the point of keeping the viewer from being engaged, you have to bring it up. At times, the effects are passable, and polished enough to help make audiences believe the fictional worlds. Other times, especially with the CGI characters, the visual effects are not as up to date as they should be. I've seen cinematics from video games that had more impressive visual effects.

Green Lantern should be a testimony to what happens to a film when too many screenwriters have had their hand in writing the script. There are too many storylines trying to be packed into a script that is far too short, and characters are rarely portrayed as properly as they should be. Warner Bros. recently announced they are still trying to develop a sequel. If this film is any indication as to where they are trying to take this franchise, I'd urge them to look elsewhere for their next superhero franchise, as they are doing more harm to the Green Lantern mythology then giving it the proper exposure it deserves.

4/10