In brightest day, in blackest night,
No evil shall escape my sight.
Let those who worship evil's might,
Beware my power ... Green Lantern's light.
*
HBO/DC's Lanterns is about to premiere, and its makers have granted fans a glimpse into its intended, melodramatic direction.
Most already know that Lanterns is a dual-lead deal, with Kyle Chandler's Hal Jordan showing the ropes to Aaron Pierre's John Stewart, or is someone disguised as Jordan set to teach? (The shaky rumor mill has gotten me and others confused about that, but we'll just wait and see what does, in fact, develop.) In any event, the duo's main exploit bounces off a rippling-effect murder and will include intermittent visits from Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner, thus linking the series to James Gunn's new Superman franchise, as well as (and if only by implied default) the parallel-tracked Peacemaker. As an added treat, Ulrich Thomsen is portraying the imprisoned, Hannibal-Lector-like Sinestro: yet another slice of feels-right casting for this eight-part event.
We've been told enough times over that the show will emphasize its evident, "buddy" component, which could place it in that Lethal Weapon/Tango & Cash/Rush Hour/48 Hours category, but there's also a Manhunter catch to the story (not of the Martian kind, but rather something robotic, plucked from DC's deeper roots.)
Maybe an approach along the lines of The Batman (a grounded fringe, though sprinkled with lighter moments) could prove all the more prosperous for Lanterns. I can also see it having a Streets of San Francisco vibe, albeit with super-tech rings to help with the investigations. Yeah, that would work.
With that said, I've often thought a television series based on the 1970s, Green Lantern/Green Arrow comics could strike a chord, considering the title's shrewd handling of socio-political perspectives. On the other hand, an angle of that sort, nurtured in today's lopsided climate, would likely be biased, so why even bother? Even so, if Lanterns is successful, maybe something at least akin to the concept could surface and pave the way for Oliver Queen's long-awaited, live-action return. Ah, dream on, right?
Anyhow, HBO lights its Lanterns this Sunday (August 16 at 9pm), with further episodes dropping weekly. I'll share my inclusive reaction when the season is through.
I was okay with the detective slant of the initial episode, which will obviously flow down the line. It makes this incarnation more in sync with SMALLVILLE, I suppose: The mythology is there, but it's subdued. The show also has an ALIEN NATION vibe, with an extraordinary context driving an earth-bound mission.
ReplyDeleteGot to the third episode. Is there a guilt trip being layered on here or is it just my imagination? Is Hal Jordan unworthy? (On a related note, at least in regard to the episode's content, the Guardians always did get on my nerves with their wishy-washy, collective perspective. I suppose this show could end up another case in point for the cosmic, judgmental band.)
ReplyDeleteLooks to be an enormity of backlash on Episode #3. Not a good sign. Will the season recover from this?
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