Talking Pictures

Tony Toscano reviews “The Green Hornet”

Based on a 30’s radio show, newspaper publisher Britt Reid’s alter ego “The Green Hornet” was a kind of anti-hero hero. Seemingly a criminal, the masked Hornet and his trusted sidekick, Kato, battled criminals (and sometimes the law) to make sure justice was served.

If the plot is a bit familiar to you (especially anyone older than 50) you’re right, as The Green Hornet takes its plot line from “The Lone Ranger” legend.

In fact, Britt Reid is the grand nephew of John Reid, the Lone Ranger himself.

In the new film “The Green Hornet,” Britt Reid is a spoiled rich kid with daddy issues who is board with his life. After his father dies and leaves his media empire to Britt, the young man begins to find some purpose in helping those who can’t help themselves.

Seth Rogen (who also co-wrote the screenplay) takes on the challenge of playing the masked vigilante with Jay Chou as Kato, a car mechanic who has a knack of invention and making coffee.

The script is smart and action filled with just enough tongue-in-cheek humorous dialogue to give the film a sense of itself as both Britt and Kato discover they may have bitten off more than they can chew.

I do have a couple of minor problems beginning with the fact this update of the Green Hornet should have been released in the summer, as I think it would fare better to a summer audience. And the 3-D was choppy, hindering and actually was unnecessary as it did not add to the film in the least.

But despite those drawbacks, “The Green Hornet” is worth the ticket in.

It gets a B and is rated PG-13 for sequences of violent action, language, sensuality and drug content.

Tags: abc4, CW30, review, talking pictures, the green hornet, Tony Toscano
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