The Green Hornet, a remake of the 60's TV show, could have been adapted in a multitude of tones and styles. For example the Starsky & Hutch reboot went for a broad comedic tone, Tim Burton's Batman reboot went dark and fantastical while Charlies Angels turned into a glorified, feature length pop video. In the end, indie director Michael Gondry was the perfect choice to helm to reimagining of the franchise as he's essentially updated it with the bland of adventure and silliness intact.
The original, starring Van Williams and Bruce lee as masked crime fighting duo Green Hornet and Kato, was made in 1966 and lasted just one season. It shares a similar style to the Batman TV series made the same year along with the dramatic voice over, animated title sequence, stylised acting and exuberant theme tune. But despite these wacky comic book flourishes, Hornet took itself much more seriously than Batman, making it a crime thriller first, with humour taking a backseat.
The remake works because Gondry, along with writer and star Seth Rogan, keep the characters and the plot grounded. The comedy is often broad and absurd, the comic book elements all present and correct (along with the over-dramatic batman-esque music and animated end credits) but the characters seem real and believable. The big reinvention in the remake is the relationship between millionaire newspaper owner Britt Reid (Seth Rogan) and his assistant Kato (Jay Chou) in that the dynamic is now much like Hon Kong Phooey and Spot The Cat; Kato is the real hero and Britt Reid is the sidekick (although Reid would see it the opposite way around). It's this relationship which is the foundation of the movie, not only as a story through-line
but also the emotional and humour core of the film.
Seth Rogan plays Reid as a spoilt, arrogant, self obsessed overgrown kid, staying just the right side of likable even when he's being a complete twat. Jay Chou is a great find as Kato. While his command of English might be limited, he more than makes up for it in his use of martial arts and a genuine star charisma. Rogan and Chou's scenes together are the film's best. Cameron Diaz has more of a cameo role, but she's at leat very important to the dynamic of the crime fighting team. Inglourious Basterds Christoph Waltz raises many a laugh as a villain under going a midlife crisis and there's a brilliant James Franco cameo which opens the movie.
Director Michael Gondry's trademark style has been dramatically toned down from his previous work, but what remains is enough quirkiness to make Hornet funny and distinctive. There's plenmty of invention including a Benny Hill style snogfest around Reid's garage, Pink Panther style combat around the mantion house and some ultra-cool slow motion photography to illustrate 'Kato-vision'! It's a fun ride and it's really refreshing to watch a superhero/vigilante movie that isn't as intense and brooding as the likes of Batman. Of course I love Batman, but it's feels good to see an action comedy that actually works (sorry Cop Out).
1 comment:
This was something of a minor revelation for me as I fully expected The Green Hornet to be total crap. What I didn't expect was to be laughing my ass off, thrilled by some creative and cool action and just revelling in the whole larky, fun packed affair. Of course the great cast helps a lot, but, like you say, it is the relationship between Reid and Kato that really makes the film. They are great. This is basically a superhero bromance done Hong Kong Phooey style with Kato as Spot the Cat and Rogen as Phooey. And darn good it is too. Sequel please.
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