THE PLOT
Britt Reid (Seth Rogen) is the slacker son of newspaper magnate James Reid (Tom Wilkinson). Following his father’s death Britt lashes out against his strict upbringing by getting drunk and decapitating James’s memorial statue. In the process, he and servant/mechanic/martial arts expert Kato (Chinese pop star Jay Chou) save a young couple from being assaulted by a band of muggers. It’s here that Britt realizes his childhood dream of being a superhero and takes on the persona of The Green Hornet with his trusty sidekick Kato. Together they set out to take on the bad guys whilst pretending to be bad guys themselves (for some reason).
THE REVIEW
Being that Seth Rogen co-wrote and executive produced this film, the slacker that he is so stereotyped for was always going to show up in this film, although here it’s more tolerable and less over-the-top than many of his previous outings. That Rogen plays down his ‘type’ is of some credit.
Jay Chou is great as Kato and steals most scenes either with faltering sarcasm or kick-ass action. It is the relationship and specifically the dialogue between Rogen and Chou’s characters that is this film’s strength, but not enough to make this a good film.
Christoph Waltz is Chudnofsky, the cities crime boss and The Green Hornet’s arch enemy, as Reid and Kato go about destroying his empire and stealing his glory. Academy Award winner Waltz was very disappointing, all but reprising his award winning role from Inglorious Basterds, but less sinister and without the quirkiness; the characteristics that made the character great. This could be due to Rogen’s writing or Michel Gondry’s directing, but Chudnofsky comes across as a dull caricature of Col. Hans Landa.
Cameron Diaz plays the tottie, and that’s about it! Her character is all but obsolete and neither enhances the plot nor the entertainment factor.
Another gripe with this film is the fact that the studios and producers are mugging the audience of their cash by taking a conventional film and adding half a dozen 3D scenes in post production, somehow justifying a hike in admission of almost 30%. Thieving bastards! Perhaps they knew it would bomb after the opening weekend once word got out about how average a film it really is and they figured they should cash in early!
THE VERDICT
There are fun moments here, to be sure, but this is a largely forgettable film.
TC
Director: Michel Gondry
Writers: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (screenplay) and George W. Trendle (radio series "The Green Hornet")
Stars: Seth Rogen, John Cho, Christoph Waltz and Cameron Diaz
Running Time: 119 Mins
NOW SEE THE TRAILER...
UK Release Date: 14th January 2011
I agree with your review that this fil was forgetable. I actually forgot that Cameron Diaz was even in the film until I read your review, and I only saw it a couple of weeks ago! She's never hard on the eyes, but when you can't even remember seeing her in a movie, her part had to be minimal. As for the 3D version, many films are being shown in 3D now merely to prevent pirating by moviegoers who shoot copies inside theatres, then sell the knock-offs.
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