The hero who wants to party!

The Green Hornet (2010)
Certified: PG
Duration: 119 minutes
Directed by: Michael Gondry
Starring: Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz, Chistoph Waltz, Tom Wilkinson
KRS release

Since The Green Hornet was created in 1936 for a radio programme, the franchise has spawned film serials, television series, comic books and now also a feature film. The 1966-67 series was especially notable for the fact that the sidekick part of Kato was played by Bruce Lee who later on achieved legendary status.

The quirky new version, directed by Michael Gondry, is a mix of comedy, action and special effects. Starring Seth Rogen and made in the comical style of a Judd Apatow film, the film is an uneven affair that for two-thirds of its running time soars and for the rest seems to slump in its own awkwardness.

Mr Rogen plays Britt Reid, a spoilt rotten rich kid living in the shadow of his father, James Reid (Tom Wilkinson), a very successful newspaper publisher. Britt is only intent on partying, however his life turns upside down when his father dies from a bee sting! He now has to shoulder the responsibility of his dad’s fortune and publishing industry. He luckily finds help from his dad’s mechanic/coffee maker/valet Kato (Jay Chou).

At one point the duo visit the town’s cemetery as Britt wants to deface his dad’s cemetery statue. There he spots a couple being attacked by some thugs. They go and save them and while it is Kato and his martial arts that really did all the work, Britt decides to take on superhero duties and pushes Kato, who is a bit reluctant, to be his sidekick. They want to be heroes but want the public to see them as villains.

Soon they are facing off with Chudnofsky (an excellent Christoph Waltz) who is the local crime boss. Meanwhile, Lenore (Cameron Diaz), Britt’s new secretary, seems to make it a point to plan from beforehand The Green Hornet’s every move.

From the outset, Mr Rogen’s character says to Kato: “You know what the stupid thing about superheroes is? They announce to everybody that they’re good guys and all the villains need to do is start killing innocent people and they’ve got them! So let’s pretend we’re criminals while we actually fight crime!”

Thus from the outset, the film shows that this is going to be a whacky, over-the-top, no-holds-barred picture that is not going to stick to the confines of the genre. The script may be one of the film’s weak points for the fact that it simply does not provide pivotal points on which the characters can solidify their positions and Mr Gondry’s aimless sense of direction does not help. This is what you get when you mix The PineApple Express, Superbad, Batman and Spider-Man all in one cocktail.

It was fun seeing Mr Rogen as a superhero as he is quite a normal-looking guy. He is glib and funny while Mr Chou is cool and slick. The latter’s presence is vital as too much of Mr Rogen can be a tad grating. Meanwhile, Ms Diaz seems to have drifted into the movie by mistake as she is simply not that much into the affair.

Overall, the production is slick and polished. Mr Gondry does the usual action scenes but adds some extra zing; these manage to be funny too which is not such an easy mix.

Unlike the usual tragic and brooding pathos of most superhero tales, The Green Hornet decides to kick the genre under the belt and simply smile its way through, not caring at all whether you are in for the ride or not.