Green Lantern throws all it has against the kitchen wall, and some of it sticks while other parts slide down and form gloop on the floor. The movie as directed by Martin Campbell makes sense in a graphic way and occasionally wows with its effects.

The star, Ryan Reynolds handles the lead with aplomb but without exception everyone else in the cast (which ranges from Tim Robbins to Angela Bassett) is a freaky extraterrestrial or an Earthly cipher. The 3D adds some depth to the opening sequence; itself set somewhere in the deep space of our universe, but adds nothing to the overall look of the film.

Actually the screening I attended started 15-minutes late due to tech difficulties in getting the digital print started. Digital has the advantage of never being out of focus or maligned by the kind of problems that 20th century projectors suffer. However the fact that digital projectors can glitch and then only be opened and reset by a theater manager with a code means that delayed start times are a harbinger of things to come.

GL (a DC property) has the playing field superiority of not being part of the Marvel Avengers franchise so there is a fresh take on what a super hero can achieve. The other side of the coin being that once again you have a movie that requires a dedicated fan base and a new cosmology for said fan base as well as the general public to embrace.

Green Lantern is never precious but it’s never astounding either. At least Zack Snyder’s Watchmen had gumption and a R-rating. Meanwhile GL exists in a world of pulled punches and super heroes in underwear. If you’re a 13-year old kid this is your summer candy. For the rest of us, we’re waiting for movies with more of a pulse.

- Michael Bergeron