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"The Green Hornet Delivers"
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A 2011 film Directed by Michel Gondry inspired by the characters from a radio program in the '30s.
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Jan 16, 2011
- by AlmostRambo
- posted in Love of Comics & Graphic Novels!
Rating:
The Green Hornet debuts in theaters this weekend.
+4
This film covers the origin story of how Britt Reid decides to become the Green Hornet to fight crime. It is interesting what has been remembered from the old Green Hornet TV show to people who were not part of the generation where it debuted. Few people would probably be able to identify, offhand, the actor who played Britt Reid. Whether the same will happen to the revival of this franchise to a new generation has yet to be seen.
First, what I generally thought about the film. It was a fun action movie with many comedic elements. This is probably not a shocker to anyone who is familiar with Seth Rogen's(Britt Reid) work. What is interesting is that Rogen co-wrote this movie showing he has an interest in it and the desire to follow through with it enough to see it happen on the big screen, a process that often takes years before a project finally happens. The film also stars Christoph Waltz, the actor who got critical acclaim for his role in Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds. The film shows he can take on comedy quite well choosing to play the part as straight acting much in the vein of Leslie Neilson, finding the humor in the seriousness of the lines.
The part everyone is probably thinking about is that of the role of Kato. Kato is played by an actor named Jay Chou and does a good job making the character his own. This role was originally played by Bruce Lee and is huge shoes to fill for anyone. The film gives nods to Lee throughout the film including his famous one-inch punch seen in the trailer. Chou does a good job giving some complexities and depth to a character that really wants to be more than just a sidekick.
The biggest difference between The Green Hornet then and now is the change in culture. Asians, in Lee's time, were not ever looked at as leading men in film, and something like segregation affected them too. It is little surprise Hollywood of the time regulated him to chauffeur instead of the starring role. While Kato is not the main character in this film the idea of cultural equality is obvious. Reid sits in front seat, as an example, often in the film, where in the TV show he was in the back seat driven around by Kato. While Kato works for Reid as part of his estate like his maids there is never any question he doesn't see him as an equal, unless it gets in the way of him becoming the main superhero and news worthy of the two.
This cultural change of a mere few decades is very worthy of note in a film like this. When you watch it think of the culture and time this was originally shown and how far we've come today. In Lee's time, in American film, an Asian lead was unheard of, now we have Jackie Chan and Jet Li not only as leads, but become international stars and superstars around the world. The Green Hornet is a time capsule of how things once were and can now be a time capsule for how things have changed.
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Scotman
January 16, 2011
Yes, I noticed that cultural difference too. Since the credits say "based on the radio series" I looked it up and found that the original Kato was Filipino. I wonder who they had voice him in the radio series? I liked this film, too. Just have to not take it seriously. The 3D was OK, but I could have lived without it. I loved the end credits with the original Green Hornet theme!
AlmostRambo
January 16, 2011
I didn't see it in 3D and didn't think it was a 3D movie until the credits ran. Hopefully, at the least, this movie will get a new generation to look up the original TV show and get into Bruce Lee. Though Lee has never had a problem since his death of getting martial arts fanatics getting knowledgable of his films can be tougher.
Scotman
January 16, 2011
Oh, sure, I agree! I got a clip of the original TV theme and placed it on my review. It only lasted one season. It might be rerun on Hulu.com as well as getting the DVDs on Amazon. It was a decent film. I'm hoping for a sequel.
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AlmostRambo
Ranked #23
Ranked #23
I'm a huge Alexz Johnson fan and of the girl group Lady Phoenix. I love One Tree Hill and the good old days of professional wrestling. My favorite movie of all time is probably Fight Club. You can find … more
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About this movie
The Green Hornet is an upcoming 2011 action-comedy film, based on the character of the same name. The Green Hornet is an American pulp hero and masked vigilante - created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker with input by radio director James Jewell in 1936. Since his radio debut in the 1930s, the Green Hornet has appeared in numerous serialized dramas in a wide variety of media. The character appeared in film serials in the 1940s, a network television program in the 1960s, multiple comic book series from the 1940s on, and a feature film in January 2011.
Directed by Michel Gondry, the film stars Seth Rogen in the title role, who also 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 will be released in the United States on January 14, 2011, and the United Kingdom April 8, 2011, which will also include RealD Cinema and IMAX 3D. The film has been dubbed as a re-issue of the TV series rather than the serials or the comic books. After all, it has strong tibutes to Bruce Lee's portrayal and even gives homage to his one-inch punch. Jay Chou knew he couldn't play the role like Bruce, but the references to his movements were all there.
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Directed by Michel Gondry, the film stars Seth Rogen in the title role, who also 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 will be released in the United States on January 14, 2011, and the United Kingdom April 8, 2011, which will also include RealD Cinema and IMAX 3D. The film has been dubbed as a re-issue of the TV series rather than the serials or the comic books. After all, it has strong tibutes to Bruce Lee's portrayal and even gives homage to his one-inch punch. Jay Chou knew he couldn't play the role like Bruce, but the references to his movements were all there.
Director:
Michel Gondry
Genre:
Action,
Adventure
Release Date:
January 14, 2011
MPAA Rating:
PG-13
Screen Writer:
Seth Rogen,
Evan Goldberg
Runtime:
108 minutes
Studio:
Sony Pictures
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