This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 205! You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.
Hey film buffs! 👋
So, last night’s flick was a bit of a mixed bag: 2011’s “The Green Hornet.” It’s as bananas as I thought it would be. Directed by Michel Gondry, this flick tries to do a lot—sometimes maybe too much. Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s some good stuff here. Michel Gondry, the director, is a visionary known for his quirky style (think “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”).
The gist of the plot is pretty straightforward. Britt Reid, played by Seth Rogen, is this rich, party-boy type who hasn’t really found his calling yet. That is until his dad, who happens to be this super-serious newspaper tycoon, suddenly dies.
Then, Britt’s life takes a sharp left turn. Teaming up with his dad’s ultra-inventive employee, Kato (a kick-ass role by Jay Chou), he decides to become a superhero. But here’s the twist—they pretend to be the bad guys to get closer to the real criminals. Kinda smart, right?
So, they deck out in these cool, albeit slightly ridiculous, costumes and get behind the wheel of the Black Beauty—a car so decked out, it’s like Batman’s ride got a tech upgrade. They start tackling the baddies, but, like, in a way that’s supposed to look bad? It’s a whole vibe.
But here’s where things get a bit wonky. The story feels all over the place, like a bunch of cool ideas thrown together without a clear direction. One minute they’re fighting the Russian mob, the next they’re trying to make headlines. And then there’s Cameron Diaz, who plays Britt’s love interest Lenore, but her role feels like an afterthought. It’s a shame because she’s a talented actress, but here, she’s mostly there to be the damsel in distress.
I did enjoy the bonkers dynamic between Britt and Kato. It’s like watching a buddy-cop comedy (with more gadgets and less donuts), but neither of them is a cop, and they’re not always on the same page.
And then there’s the villain, Chudnofsky, played by none other than Christoph Waltz. He’s this quirky mob boss who’s going through a bit of a mid-life crisis, trying to rebrand himself as something scarier. Honestly, Waltz is just perfect in these kinds of roles. He brings a certain… je ne sais quoi.
The movie is a wild mix of action, comedy, and some seriously eyebrow-raising moments. There are explosions, cool gadgets (thanks to Kato’s genius), and some fight scenes that are just awesomely choreographed.
While the film didn’t exactly make superhero landing in everyone’s heart, it has this offbeat charm that kinda grows on you. Plus, the soundtrack? Absolutely slaps. It’s got this energetic vibe that just keeps you pumped throughout.
Despite the flaws, there are some genuinely fun moments. The action scenes are entertaining, especially when Kato gets to show off his martial arts skills. And there are some witty one-liners that’ll make you chuckle. But overall, it feels like the movie doesn’t quite know what it wants to be: a comedy, an action flick, or a superhero origin story.
So yeah, “The Green Hornet” might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s worth a watch just for the laughs, the action, and a look at how Seth Rogen handles being a hero. It’s not your typical superhero movie, and maybe that’s exactly why you might want to give it a go. But if you’re expecting a groundbreaking superhero movie, you’ll probably be disappointed.
TTFN,
Roger