[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Directed By: Lauren Montgomery
Written By: Alan Burnett
Starring: Christopher Meloni, Victor Garber, Tricia Helfer, Michael Madson, John Larroquette and Kurtwood Smith
Original Release Date: July 28, 2009
Summary
Test pilot Hal Jordan is given a green ring from a dying alien that crashed on Earth. The ring he’s given is the most powerful weapon in the universe created by a race of beings known as the Guardians of the Universe. With the ring Jordan becomes a member of the Guardians intergalactic police force known as the Green Lantern Corps. Skeptical of Jordan since he is the first human to ever wield the ring, the Guardians put their premiere corps member, Sinestro in charge of Jordan’s training. Jordan quickly realizes Sinestro actually hates the Guardians and has an agenda all his own to take power from them. Sinestro’s lust for power is realized when he finds a new power source that may be more powerful than even the green rings of the Guardians. Jordan soon finds himself to be the last line of defense between Sinestro and his fascist reign over the universe.
Positives
First Flight is action-packed from beginning to end. They spend very little time getting through the origin of Green Lantern and get right into what makes Green Lantern great: his intergalactic adventures. Sinestro proves to be one of the more complex and interesting villains in the DC Universe. The scope of his plan and what he is willing to do to achieve his goals isn’t clear until a powerful scene where the green rings of dead Green Lantern Corps members comes raining down on the Guardians. It also has appearances of many fan-favorite Green Lantern Corps members including Kilowog, Tomar Re and even Ch’p.
Negatives
There is very little, if any, character development with the characters, particularly the Hal Jordan. As interesting a character he is in the comic books, he unfortunately feels two dimensional in this movie. Sinestro is the only character that appears to have any depth. Even though Abin Sur is only in the film briefly, the changes they made to him seem pointless and I can’t help but ask why approached that character in such a way.
Verdict
Green Lantern: First Flight has its flaws, but overall is a fun, action-packed movie worth checking out. Sinestro is a great antagonist and the showdown between him and Hal is worth watching the movie for alone.
