By Joshua Robison The Jambar
After many bright days and black nights, the DC Comics superhero, Green Lantern, made its long-awaited, live-action comeback after 15 years with the Aug. 19 release of the television series, “Lanterns,” on HBO and HBO Max.
Other Green Lanterns have been seen in other films, such as characters Guy Gardner in director James Gunn’s “Superman” and Yalan Gur in director Zack Snyder’s “Justice League.” The last project dedicated to the superhero was in 2011 with director Martin Campbell’s “Green Lantern,” which starred actor Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan.
“Lanterns” follows Green Lantern, aka Hal Jordan, played by actor Kyle Chandler, and trainee John Stewart, played by actor Aaron Pierre, as they investigate a strange crime scene that Jordan believes may involve a Manhunter, a robotic android with great destructive power.
Being a part of Gunn’s DC Cinematic Universe, “Lanterns” takes an unusual route from the rest of his projects to focus more on the human element of each character, rather than the superhuman abilities a Green Lantern possesses when they wear a power ring.
As far as episode six, there has yet to be a cinematic fight scene with a Green Lantern fighting an alien or giant monster on some distant planet — unusual for a Green Lantern. The series emphasizes themes of letting go of the past, and handling adversity and corruption.
The characters feel valuable and bring something beneficial to the table. Each person introduced acts as a driving factor for the plot — as a character should — and provides great detail.
It’s also refreshing to see Green Lantern as a prominent character in a DCU project. In the comics, Green Lantern is one of the most notable characters and has been brushed off to the side in live-action works.
As with all great TV series, it is not without exception of having faults.
One of the biggest flaws with this series is a physical Green Lantern suit. In the comics, a Green Lantern uniform is projected onto the character by their power ring. This show takes that concept and completely trashes the idea.
Revealed in the trailer, as well as in an episode, a suit made of leather and fabric is seen hanging in Jordan’s closet, void of its comic accuracy.
Another discrepancy in the show is the design of Sinestro, played by actor Ulrich Thomsen. This Sinestro is a significant downgrade from what audiences received in the 2011 film. Nothing about this interpretation gives, “alien leader of the Yellow Lanterns,” but gives off a more sunburnt dad aesthetic.
To the character’s defense, Sinestro plays a minute role in the series and is insignificant.
Regardless of a lackluster design choice of the Green Lantern costume and questionable casting, the show is a great representation of the character and serves its purpose well as one of the building blocks of more DCU projects to come.