Between “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” “Kick-Ass” and the never-ending series of “Spiderman” movies, you would think the average-boy-turned-superhero bit has run its course. Fortunately, you would be wrong.
“The Green Hornet” was released to theaters Jan. 14, adding yet another superhero-based plotline to big screens across the nation.
“The Green Hornet,” directed by French filmmaker Michel Gondry, who also directed “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” is chalk full of A-list actors like Cameron Diaz, James Franco and Christoph Waltz, and adds a refreshing twist to the typical good-versus-evil scheme.
The plot takes an unsuspecting turn when the two main characters, self-proclaimed super-heroes Britt and Kato, decide they would rather be seen as villains than as heroes. Their plan is to pretend to cause destruction, while in reality, perform good deeds.
As you can probably figure out, their plan doesn’t go as, well, planned. Although the plot veers away from the average hero-based story, many key ingredients remain — they wear masks, drive around in a badass car named “The Black Beauty” and fight over the bombshell secretary played by Diaz.
Britt, played by Seth Rogen, is the delinquent son of newspaper editor and owner of The Daily Sentinel, James Reid. When Reid is found dead at his home from an alleged hornet sting, Britt is left with the newspaper, and his lack of knowledge and motivation leads to trouble for the publication.
Britt teams up with his father’s mechanic and morning coffeemaker Kato to decapitate his father’s memorial statue out of spite.
When Britt and Kato are faced with a moral decision during one of their many amateur stints, Kato’s full potential is revealed, and the two decide to take over the city, one criminal at a time.
The protagonists balance each other out, using Rogen’s stereotypically goofy persona with Kato’s mysterious ways and black belt combat.
Chudnofsky, played by Waltz, is head of the Los Angeles mob and continually seeking an image that instills fear in his victims. Waltz spews humorous lines throughout the film, adding a sense of dark humor and an air of looseness not typical of a villain.
You can expect plenty of humor and a heap of foolish antics throughout the film, including a sushi shaped jump-drive, ejector seats, and a plethora of all-out battle scenes that make this film a must-see.
Regal Theater 18 on Beach Boulevard has $5 movies on Sundays, if you’re willing to wait with anticipation, or just want to save some cash.
