Green Lantern Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Green Lantern" features a theatrically correct widescreen 2.35:1 1080p 3D transfer that is region-free. Regrettably, the 2D-to-3D conversion is inconsistent and fails to create an immersive experience. While some CG elements were originally rendered in 3D, they lack the depth and engagement found in better-executed films. The opening scenes and Warner Bros. logo exhibit promising 3D effects, but as the film shifts to Earth-based scenes, the depth falls flat, with individual layers lacking solidity. Subsequent scenes fluctuate in quality, from reasonably effective depth during specific moments to poorly executed landscapes and CGI that pull viewers out of the experience.

In terms of 2D visual quality, "Green Lantern" fares significantly better. Detail is generally high, with skin textures, clothing weaves, and distant objects, like cityscapes and Oa's surreal landscape, appearing crisp and well-defined. However, instances of digital manipulation cause occasional softening of both near and far scenes. Colors are bold and predominantly green, which overshadows other primary colors like blue and red, affecting vibrancy. Explosions lack intensity, skies fall short in depth, and skin tones are slightly orange. Brightness and contrast are set to provide deep blacks, though this sometimes obscures shadow detail in darker scenes. Digitally, there are no apparent compression issues or artifacting, although minor image softening and an absence of posterization and banding are noted.

Overall, Green Lantern's 3D presentation is marred by a lackluster depth effect and inconsistent quality across scenes. The 2D picture offers better resolution and clarity, albeit with some limitations concerning color balance and visual consistency. While not without its visually appealing moments, the presentation does not meet the high standards expected from contemporary high-definition releases.

The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for "Green Lantern" is profoundly invigorating and impressively immersive. Warner’s adept utilization of this lossless surround sound format truly elevates the viewing experience, rendering action sequences with notable dynamism and precision. From the opening prologue through the cosmic vistas, the sound mix adeptly harnesses the surrounds to craft a compelling soundscape. The auditory journey is intensely engaging; from Hal Jordan’s aerial dogfight, which meticulously utilizes all speakers for seamless flybys, to Parallax’s menacing presence underscored by profoundly deep bass reverberations. Dialogues are crisp and coherent, maintaining natural tonality and directionality, while James Newton Howard’s score is expansively rendered across the channels, enhancing total audience immersion.

Dynamic range and sonic detail are remarkable, transforming spaces with a three-dimensional auditory experience that is thoroughly absorbing. Dialogue remains clear and well-anchored amidst the sonic chaos of battle, with only the slightest hint of sibilance in the upper registers. Low-frequency effects deliver deep, authoritative bass that fills the room with energy, accentuating the film’s numerous impactful moments—from explosions and minigun fire to toppling buildings and intergalactic encounters. Sound effects are sharply defined and seamlessly integrated, offering pinpoint accuracy and allowing for a highly engaging listening position.

The directional correlation is exceptional, creating an encompassing 360-degree sound field. The rear speakers provide substantial sonic flair, effectively portraying alien battles, energy blasts, and cosmic phenomena with impressive clarity. Despite some visual limitations of the film, the sound design stands out as a rewarding element of the presentation. Each sonic element contributes to a technologically advanced and an involving auditory spectacle that showcases Warner’s expertise in delivering a home theater experience brimming with vitality and immersive depth.

The Blu-ray extras for "Green Lantern" are a comprehensive and engaging collection that dives deep into the making of the film and the universe it inhabits. Spearheaded by DCE Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns, the "Maximum Movie Mode" offers an expansive Picture-in-Picture experience with cast and crew interviews, trivia, character biographies, and numerous focus point featurettes accessible separately. The extras also include the enlightening "The Universe According to Green Lantern," insightful featurettes on Ryan Reynolds' transformation into the titular character, and a slew of deleted scenes that, while not crucial, offer additional context. Additionally, comic fans will appreciate the dynamic digital rendition of "Justice League #1," while a preview of "Green Lantern: The Animated Series" provides a sneak peek into the character’s animated adventures.

Extras included in this disc:

Maximum Movie Mode: Green Lantern's Light: In-depth behind-the-scenes look led by Geoff Johns.

Focus Points:

• The Art of Green Lantern: Examination of design and visuals.
• Weapons Hot: The U.C.A.V. Dog Fight: Behind-the-scenes of specific action sequences.
• Reinventing the Superhero Costume: Insights into costume design.
• Ring Slinging 101: Training and visual effects related to power rings.
• We Are the Corps: Insight into the Green Lantern Corps world.
• Acting Under 10 Pounds of Silicone: Challenges of portraying certain characters.
• Guardians Revealed: Overview of the Guardians’ role.
• When Parallax Attacks: Insights into the movie’s antagonist.

The Universe According to Green Lantern: Exploration into the comic book’s history and evolution.

Ryan Reynolds Becomes The Green Lantern: Featurette on Ryan Reynolds' preparation and performance.

Deleted Scenes: Five scenes cut from the final film.

Justice League #1 Digital Comic: The first issue of 'Justice League' in a dynamic digital format.

Preview of Green Lantern: The Animated Series: A glimpse into the animated series.

UltraViolet Digital Copy: Digital access to stream or download the film.

In "Green Lantern," DC's latest foray into the superhero genre, we follow the journey of Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds), a test pilot turned interstellar peacekeeper via a powerful ring. The film, however, stumbles across several fault lines, notably with its choice of lead and a lackluster villain in Parallax. Despite promising source material, the movie's direction and story fail to engage on an emotional level and often seem overly convoluted and disjointed, which ultimately makes it difficult to resonate with audiences.

Director Martin Campbell’s "Green Lantern" suffers from a myriad of issues that contribute to its underwhelming reception. The pacing is notably slow and the plot feels stagnated despite its numerous subplots meant to propel the narrative forward. While the screenplay attempts to cover substantial ground, exploring both Earth and the cosmic realm of Oa, it ends up being a jumbled mess that doesn’t delve deeply enough into any particular narrative thread. Moreover, the film's heavy reliance on CGI is more a detriment than a boon; the computer-generated characters and powers fail to inspire awe and often look cartoonish rather than believable.

Despite these shortcomings, there are some elements that shine. Mark Strong's performance as Sinestro stands out, lending credibility to an otherwise unconvincing ensemble. Voice work by Geoffrey Rush and Clancy Brown for Tomar-Re and Parallax respectively, also deserve mention for adding gravitas to their roles. However, these highlights are not enough to compensate for a movie bogged down by poor scripting, unremarkable visual effects, and a mishandled storyline. Ideally, future installments would do better by embracing the rich lore of the Green Lantern universe and focusing on characters that make it the fan-favorite it is.

The Blu-ray release of "Green Lantern" presents a mixed bag, particularly when comparing its 2D and 3D offerings. The 2D presentation boasts a decent transfer, although not without its faults, but it shines with an excellent DTS-HD Master Audio track that effectively immerses viewers in the film’s audio landscape. In terms of bonus materials, the package is generous, offering both extended and theatrical cuts, which add value to the purchase.

Though the 3D version includes the extended cut, the actual 3D presentation is underwhelming. The depth is notably flat, failing to capitalize on the potential of 3D technology. Other superhero films like "Thor" fare slightly better in their 3D implementations, albeit also average. Despite the lackluster 3D performance, both the audio quality and the additional content remain the same across both versions.

Considering the price difference between the 2D and 3D versions is a mere four dollars, it may be worth investing in the 3D release for the additional content. However, for those who prioritize image quality and a robust 3D experience, the standard 2D Blu-ray is likely the more satisfying option. Choose wisely based on your viewing priorities and equipment capabilities.

In conclusion, while "Green Lantern" may disappoint some fans in its 3D iteration, it compensates with top-notch audio and abundant extras that enhance its value. Buyers seeking comprehensive content and not solely a premium visual experience will find purchasing the 3D version advantageous. However, those focused on high-quality image clarity may prefer sticking to the consistent performance of the standard 2D Blu-ray.