The Green Hornet Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Green Hornet" showcases a competent yet imperfect leap from 2D to 3D, revealing several technical nuances that potentially diminish its overall impact. The 1080p transfer excels in delivering a sturdy picture quality across both formats, with the 2D version highlighting a sharp, detailed visual feast complemented by deep blacks and a cool color scheme slightly tinged with teal. Notably, the film's darker nature is well-served by this palette, allowing colors to occasionally pop—such as the vibrant red of the roses or the sleek black of the Black Beauty—and details to emerge, particularly in action sequences where every shard of glass or piece of debris is discernible.

Transitioning to the 3D aspect, while it stands superior to several other conversion attempts in the market, the presentation suffers from inherent flaws that curtail its ability to fully immerse and impress. Natural depth is inconsistently conveyed, with certain expansive scenes benefitting from a more realistic spatial perception, yet closer, medium-range shots appear inadequately flat. Furthermore, the 3D version appears somewhat softer and less vibrant compared to its 2D counterpart, possibly due to the conversion process and the mediation of viewing through glasses, leading to a diminished sharpness and less pronounced color vibrancy. Black levels exhibit more crush, and despite a commendable effort in minimizing ghosting artifacts, the film lacks the striking pop and seamless dimensional integration seen in natively filmed 3D content.

Technical qualities specific to the 3D visualization reveal mixed results. Although there are moments where the 3D effect adds a tangible layer of engagement—like shell casings flying towards the viewer—the majority of potentially spectacular 3D scenes miss the mark on delivering a convincing depth of field. The softness in image quality, alongside subdued colors and an overall lack of dynamic visual pop, positions this 3D conversion as an illustrative contrast to the crisper, more vibrant 2D experience. In sum, while "The Green Hornet's" 2D presentation stands as a solid example of modern action cinema's visual expectations, its 3D counterpart serves as a noteworthy but ultimately flawed attempt at enhancing the film's immersive potential.

The Green Hornet's audio component, showcased through its DTS-HD MA 5.1 3D Optimized lossless soundtrack, impressively elevates the viewing experience to a first-class auditory thrill ride. While some may argue that the audio might be amped up slightly more than what's typical for standard DTS tracks, particularly in terms of surround effects, it hardly detracts from its overall quality. The soundtrack is a robust concoction of directionally precise activity, crystal-clear musical scores, and a substantial low end that consistently punches above its weight class. Explosions rumble through the soundstage with tight, controlled bass, complemented by a vivid array of sound effects that are thrown around the speakers with lifelike precision, immersing the viewer in the thick of the action.

Dialogue within The Green Hornet remains sharp and focused, a crucial aspect for any action-heavy film, ensuring that every quip and line delivery is heard with absolute clarity. Amid the chaos, the soundtrack maintains an exceptional balance, allowing for a dynamic range where the roar of engines and the crackle of gunfire are delivered with devastating impact. Directionality is particularly noteworthy; vehicles pass through the sonic landscape with such smoothness and velocity that it exemplifies the soundtrack's ability to handle fast-moving audio with ease. The integration of environments and background atmospherics complements the more pronounced effects, creating a fully immersive soundscape that engages the listener at every turn.

In essence, The Green Hornet's sonic presentation stands as a testament to what dedication to audio design can achieve. From the ground-shaking lows to the crispest highs, every element works in concert to bring about an audio experience that's not only thrilling but enveloping. It manages to capture the essence of an action film brilliantly, with every sound element crafted to perfection, making it a prime example of audio engineering excellence. Fans of tech-savvy soundtracks will find this audio prowess both delightful and profoundly satisfying, marking another notable entry in Sony's action movie catalog.

The Blu-ray release of "The Green Hornet" packs a substantial range of extras across its three discs, combining both 3D and 2D content with a plethora of insightful behind-the-scenes features. Noteworthy is the comprehensive audio commentary available on the 3D and standard 2D editions, presenting an in-depth discussion on the film's production with contributions from key figures like Seth Rogen and Michel Gondry, who share candid insights into the creative process, casting, and more. The 3D disc enhances the experience with unique storyboard comparisons, while the second disc boasts a variety of supplements including deleted scenes, a gag reel, and several featurettes exploring the writing process, the reinvention of the Black Beauty, and the technical aspects of action sequence creation. The package effectively caters to fans seeking a deeper understanding of this anti-superhero movie's genesis, complemented by opportunities for interactive engagement via The Green Hornet Cutting Room.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insightful discussions with actor/producer Seth Rogan, producer Neal Moritz, director Michel Gondry, and writer Evan Goldberg.
• 3D Animated Storyboards Comparisons: A visual comparison feature in 3D.
• The Green Hornet Cutting Room: An interactive feature allowing users to edit clips from the movie.
• Deleted Scenes: A collection of nine removed segments from the film.
• Awesoom Gag Reel: A compilation of humorous outtakes from shooting.
• Trust Me -- Director Michael Gondry: A featurette focusing on Gondry's directorial style.
• Writing The Green Hornet: Discussion of the movie's script development.
• The Black Beauty: Rebirth of Cool: Detailing the revival of the iconic car for the film.
• The Stunt Family Armstrong: An introduction to the stunt choreographers of the film.
• Finding Kato: Focuses on casting Jay Chou as Kato.
• The Art of Destruction: An exploration into the creation of destruction scenes in movies.
• Previews: Trailers for additional Sony titles.
• MovieIQ: Interactive movie-watching experience.
• BD-Live: Online content access.
• The Green Hornet PS3 Theme: A special theme for PlayStation 3 users.

The Green Hornet" Blu-Ray presentation offers an interesting blend of attributes for fans and newcomers alike. Enhanced by its 3D capabilities which add a supplementary layer to its visual experience, this release also comes packed with a DVD copy and is encased in an appealing package. The film itself unfolds as a somewhat unconventional superhero tale, focusing less on the high-octane crime-fighting scenes that are typical of the genre and more on the dynamic relationship between Britt Reid (Seth Rogen) and Kato (Jay Chou). Their partnership is the core of the film, bringing a mix of humor and technical gadgetry into the fray, notably through their creation and use of a nearly indestructible car filled with an arsenal fit to challenge any villain. This, coupled with their strategy to infiltrate the criminal underworld by posing as villains themselves, introduces a novel twist to the superhero narrative.

Director Michel Gondry maneuvers through the plot's straightforwardness and stylistic conventions by leaning into the bond between Britt and Kato, ensuring that their camaraderie and growth remain front and center. Despite Seth Rogen’s tendency to dominate scenes with his characteristic loud dialogues, both he and Jay Chou deliver performances that solidify their characters’ roles within and outside their vigilante endeavors. However, the film does indulge in some of the recent superhero genre’s pitfalls, such as questionable decisions that disregard the safety of bystanders during action sequences, mirroring a disregard for collateral damage seen in other contemporary action films.

While "The Green Hornet" may struggle with balancing its comedic elements and action scenes, often sidelining its villains in favor of showcasing the exploits of its leads, it manages to carve out a niche for itself with its unique approach to superhero storytelling. The premise of exploring a hero-sidekick dynamic where the sidekick is arguably more competent is both refreshing and underexploited. Despite criticisms regarding its length and Rogen's overwhelming presence, the film secures its place as an entertaining, albeit flawed, Action/Comedy that adds an interesting layer to the superhero genre. Within this Blu-Ray presentation, both fans of the genre and those seeking a light-hearted action-packed movie might find "The Green Hornet" a noteworthy addition to their collection, especially with its added 3D visual flair.

The Green Hornet" Blu-ray presents a mixed bag of entertainment that threads the needle between a superhero film and a buddy comedy, bringing together an array of elements that vary in execution. The film itself diverges from the thematic darkness common to many contemporary superhero movies, opting instead for a lighter, more humorous approach, albeit with a narrative and villain that may not stand up to rigorous scrutiny. The main attraction lies in the dynamic between the lead characters, whose performances are infused with a chemistry that elevates the movie above its script-related sloppiness. While the action sequences and comedic exchanges provide a decent amount of entertainment, the story's depth and the villain's development take a backseat, making it more akin to a casual viewing experience rather than a cinematographic marvel.

Sony’s Blu-ray 3D release offers a robust package despite the 3D presentation not significantly surpassing the standard 2D experience. Both audio and visual elements are commendably delivered, ensuring a high-quality home viewing experience. Added to this are an array of special features that cater to fans' behind-the-scenes curiosities and interests. Notably, the purchase includes three variations of the movie in one set—making it a potentially worthy investment for those particularly enamored with 3D technology or for collectors seeking to bolster their libraries.

In conclusion, while "The Green Hornet" may not carve out a unique space within the superhero genre, its Blu-ray release stands as a testament to Sony’s commitment to quality home entertainment. With performance-driven charm, adequate technical presentation, and a slew of special features, this release might not capture the hearts of every viewer but is recommended for those with a penchant for its comedic approach or for devoted fans seeking to explore every facet of their favorite film through the added special features. Its mixed critical reception notwithstanding, the Blu-ray edition offers enough to warrant attention from its target audience.