Green Lantern, directed by Martin Campbell, opened in movie theaters across the nation Friday.
1. What’s it about?
A cocky test pilot is chosen to join the Green Lantern Corps, the defenders of truth and justice in the galaxy. As he learns to accept his fate and fight his inner fears, he finds strength in himself that he never knew existed. He harnesses his inner strength and overcomes the evil that threatens the Earth.
2. Will my kids like it?
Your kids will love this movie. It's a comic book come to life, with plenty of good guy vs. bad guy action, a fighter jet vs. drone battle and cool explosions to keep their interest. Plus, Green Lantern is übercool, right up there with Marvel's Silver Surfer character.
3. Will I like it?
There are some issues I had with the character development of Hal Jordan, the protagonist hero, which should have been the strongest. Hector Hammond, the biology teacher, was the strongest character in the movie. And, yes, the script's handling of heroic and comic moments was imbalanced and flat at times. But, if you are a comic book fan, you can't help but love this DC classic on the big screen.
4. Is it scary?
There are some moments in the film that might be scary for younger kids, when Hammond's head blows up after contracting an alien virus, and when the evil Parallax attacks earth, sucking out the life force of people (he resembles a black, cloudy version of the Flying Spaghetti Monster).
5. Why is it rated PG-13?
There are some parts with good-guy vs. bad-guy violence. There are action parts with cartoon weapon violence in Green Lantern's fight against Parallax, and some parts (a bar scene and a party scene) with some mild drinking.
6. How are the special effects?
There is a judicious use of 3D that complements the actions scenes, without making 3D the pivotal element of the movie. The scenes of the planet Oa are particularly fanciful and well rendered.
7. Is there a good time for a bathroom break?
The movie runs for 114 minutes, and there is not really a good time to take the kids to the bathroom. You can buy them smaller Cokes. Or, step up to the lantern of fatherdom, do your duty and just take them.
8. Should I stay for the credits?
Yes, indeed! For those patient DC fans, there is a surprise sequence after the credits that shouldn't be missed, but I swore an oath to a Green Lantern not to tell.
9. Will there be a sequel, huh, Dad?
Of course. Judging from the too obvious fact that Sinestro puts on the Yellow Ring of Fear, changing his appearance to a yellow bad guy.
10. Is it a good Father's Day movie?
Absolutely! This is a movie that fathers will love to take kids of all ages to. It tells a great DC story, has plenty of fun action sequences and has a feel good message to it, finding one's inner strength to overcome our fears and prevail against adversity or big cloudy, evil aliens.
Now repeat after me, kids:
