Green Hornet: Dynamic duo

The Green Hornet is not a known superhero, at least in this part of the world. So, when you watch a movie about a masked vigilante who is very rich, can boast of numerous technologically advanced gadgets and a sidekick to boot, and makes people think he is the bad guy, it doesn’t take long for you to go “Batman?”

While there are many similarities between the Green Hornet and the Dark Knight, the film differs from those about the caped crusader in two ways: It is more comedic and it isn’t done as well as the many Batman movies that have aired on the big screen in the past (except, maybe, Batman Forever).

As already hinted, The Green Hornet’s plot is similar to Batman. It revolves around a rich boy, Britt Reid (played by Seth Rogan), whose father dies and leaves him a wealthy business. Reid has so far lived a fairly empty existence partying it up with pretty young things and yearns to do something meaningful. It is just then that he meets Kato (Jay Chou), his father’s ex-mechanic, who is a technological genius as well as a crazy martial arts expert. Together, the duo go out every night to find trouble (Batman alert! Batman alert!).

Now, if you’re familiar with the sort of humour associated with Rogan, you won’t expect classy witticisms and smart jokes —which is good, because the humour in The Green Hornet is pretty lowbrow. One thing that does stand out about Rogan is entirely unrelated to his acting chops — the guy has lost a lot of weight.

Jay Chou plays Kato who, other than having the aforementioned jobs, also drives the Green Hornet around. Chou, who hasn’t really done any noteworthy English language productions before, actually pulls off a good act. However, at times you’re left wondering whether Chou’s character is supposed to be funny or not. But then again that’s how you feel about most of the movie.

The best character in the movie is that of the villain Chudnofsky who later on becomes Bloodnofsky, played by the extremely talented Christopher Waltz. Now, if you have seen his last film Inglorious Bastards, you would know exactly what is being referred to here. The man is made to play a witty and eccentric villain. Even though he is the bad guy, Waltz’s performance will probably make Chudnofsky your favourite character.

Cameron Diaz as Lenore Case was a waste of a role. Enough said.

All in all, The Green Hornet is a somewhat funny, action packed movie which features lots of cool gadgets. On a boring day, it’ll take your mind off your troubles for a little while.

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, February 27^th, 2011.