In the 1960's martial arts expert, Bruce Lee was cast as Kato in the TV series The Green Hornet. Although Lee was supposed to be a second rate character next to actor Van Williams, Lee's fast and impressive moves is what people remember most about this show that only lasted one season. Now, relatively unknown actor, Jay Chou has stepped into Lee's shoes in the new film based on The Green Hornet. But can Chou compete with Lee's legend?
This new interpretation of The Green Hornet stars comedian Seth Green as the media millionaire, Britt Reid. When Britt's father dies he decides to finally start doing some good with his life. Enter Kato, his father's mechanic and coffee maker. Lucky for Britt, Kato is also a martial arts expert and all around badass. Together they pose as bad guys to try and get to the top of L.A.'s crime syndicate, Russian mob boss, Chudnofsky. But Britt and Kato will first have to find a way to not kill each other if they have any hope of killing Chudnofsky before he kills them.
I never knew much about The Green Hornet aside from it being a time in Bruce Lee's biography, and at one time Kevin Smith was set to direct this film. But the directing chair was finally filled by Michael Gondry, who had brought us such films as Be Kind Rewind, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Gondry blended this film of action and comedy together very well. I wasn't expecting much, but came out pleased with value of entertainment I received for my ticket price.
Rogen plays the character as very egotistical and arrogant as opposed to Williams serious portrayal in the sixties. There are some points where his arrogance borders on ridiculous and almost stupid, but Rogen finds a way to still make the audience laugh. Cameron Diaz played Reid's secretary who he and Kato can't seem to stop fighting over, but I didn't see her character or performance as anything spectacular. Oscar winner Christopher Waltz played the film's villian, Chudnofsky, and was quite delightful. Waltz plays the character as someone who seems a little off his rocker, but still trying to keep control until things don't go his way.
As for Chou, he seemed to be very impressive as a martial artist, but you never really know due to the slow motion shots, and something I call Kato-Vision, that happens every time there is a fight scene. I would have preferred to just let the camera run and see if Chou was too fast for the film like Lee was. I doubt it, but then again maybe I'm just a fight scene purist. Let the actors work harder than the special effects team I say. They usually get all the glory anyway. Although the Black Beauty can give the Batmobile a run for its money in this film.
I didn't see the film in 3-D because I knew it wasn't going to be worth it. Why Hollywood thinks every film is worthy of 3-D is beyond me. It's not a superhero or film classic but any means, but it doesn't try to be more than it is. A comedy film with a little bit of action in it. I'll take it.
Rating: C
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