The Green Hornet

I think this one started off as a radio show in the 1930s. And has since then transcended itself through almost every conceivable form of media – comic book, TV show, Film serials et al. It has finally reached its current destination – that of a full fledged feature film – only a matter of time I guess.


Britt Reid (Joshua Erenberg) is all of 8 years old when he is dragged into his father’s office from school. His father, James Reid (Tom Wilkinson) is the owner and Editor in Chief of The Daily Sentinel which is a leading newspaper in Los Angeles and obviously has absolutely no time for Britt’s tantrums @ school. All Britt was trying to do was help a girl in school who was being harassed by a few bullies. But James is least interested in listening to his side of the story. All he wants is that Britt stays out of trouble and doesn’t mince any words whatsoever when he tells him that – in the rudest possible manner that a father could tell a son. Now you would ask about Britts mother – no points for guessing that she is no more and Britt has to survive life with his cruel, insensitive father.

The upbringing has effects that are not very surprising at all. Britt Reid (now Seth Rogen) grows up to be a care a damn young man whose only aim 20 years later is to blow away as much of his father’s hard earned money as possible. He doesn’t pass an opportunity to hit on anything that moves – the fairer sex primarily – lest you start getting any ideas of a gay super hero (that’s a possibility though which I am sure someone has capitalized on already). Our irresponsible friend is however in for a rude shock when James suddenly kicks the bucket thanks to an extremely allergic reaction to a bee sting (eh?).

Obviously Britt has no clue whatsoever of the newspaper business and leaves it to his dad’s trusted aide, Axford (Edward James Olmos) to manage it as he deems fit. He has however, in the heat of the moment, also fired all the staff @ his dad’s estate including the person who makes his morning designer coffee with a leaf designed on it et al. Meet Kato (Jay Chou) who was primarily employed by James to take care of the dime a dozen classic cars in the garage but also has a unique skill – making superb coffee. But there is more than what meets the eye. Kato is also a superb mechanic, a martial arts expert and like Brett doesn’t think too highly of James. In the spur of the moment, the two of them decide to become anti super heroes and start off their escapades by decapitating James’ statue and taking off with the head. They then start off with their project of using the newspaper to blow these antics through the roof. They need a name for themselves and land up with The Green Hornet and his nameless side kick.

Surprising to see that The Green Hornet (TGH) is directed by Michel Gondry (Be Kind Rewind & Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind) who would be associated with more esoteric cinema and not something as mainstream as TGH. His discomfort with the concept shows very clearly but the fact that he is a good director helps him hold his own and come up with a product that is pretty decent. The use of Special Effects is quite good. The story keeps continuously moving along and doesn’t meander along the way unnecessarily. The lead roles consist of the irritating Seth Rogen, the exciting Jay Chou and furniture in the form of Cameron Diaz. What are class acts like Tom Wilkinson and Christoph Waltz doing in a time pass movie like this is beyond my levels of understanding. They are way to classy for TGH. Tom Wilkinson is probably the only actor who has carved a niche for himself in Hollywood for playing roles that demand a crabby old man. No one else can do it better. Overall, a reasonably entertaining movie but not too great. 6 on 10.

Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi21600537/