The Green Hornet

Vlad Piranha · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:46 pm Post subject: The Green Hornet

Believe it or not, I was prompted to go see this movie by my 58 year old father, who grew up with the television series (that starred Bruce Lee as Kato, believe it or not).

Britt Reed is the pampered son of a newspaper magnate who has never done anything remotely constructive with his life, as his overbearing father constantly reminds him. Even his failed attempts at doing something noble are met with criticism. This has him settling into life as a boozing socialite until the day he finds himself in charge of his father's legacy after his untimely death. After he befriends his father's mechanic Kato, the two spend a night on the town raising hell. This takes an interesting turn when they find themselves witnessing a gang beating of a random passer-by. After a haphazard rescue and escape, they realize that they may both have a higher calling and begin using Britt's new fortune to fashion cars and weaponry to carry on a war against crime.

I know what you're thinking, Seth Rogen as an action hero doesn't sound like a good fit. It's sad that I have to agree with this sentiment. While you'll find yourself enjoying the film in a corny 1989-Batman sort of way, the buddy comedy vibe that Rogen supplies this film with makes it very unbalanced at best. I remember feeling this when I saw the Stiller/Wilson version of Starsky and Hutch a few years back. Taking a relatively serious (and fondly remembered) concept and retooling it into a ludicrous action comedy was an awkward move. My dad and I don't regret seeing it at all, but I don't suspect that I'll have the urge to ever watch it again. Two Stars or a C, choose your standardized unit of measure.