A Movie Reflection by Ken - 'Green Lantern'

I can't say the Green Lantern is the brightest star among the comic book movies coming out this summer, but it shines just enough to make it entertaining.

The story centers on Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds), a test pilot who is chosen by a mystical green ring to receive super powers. He becomes a guardian of earth in an intergalactic squadron tasked with keeping peace within the universe.

The fan-boys of the green hero will find the story true to the pages of the DC comic. And movie-goers unfamiliar him won't need to do background research as, like many comic book movies before it, Lantern is an origin movie -- an introduction to a new hero filled with way too much information.

Green Lantern could have been a half hour shorter. It tends to drag in many areas and leaves you begging for more action. With so many previous movies failing in the past, the concept of explaining the origin of a hero should have been summed up more quickly than the entire first movie.

Parents, you might want to invest in the green lantern night light if you take your little galactic guardian to the theater. This may be too much for anyone under 8. Language, brief sexual conversations and plenty of big scary skeleton eating clouds will be enough to bring in the nightmare patrol at 11:30 p.m.

Overall, it isn't bad, but it's not great. Green Lantern delivers a cocky Ryan Reynolds in a skin-tight suit, and there is some cheesy- to sub-par animation. You have to enjoy it for what it is.

The true gamble here is, whether it can make back its $300 million price tag to warrant a sequel. Even though the post credit scene sets it up, I wouldn't take that bet.

Ken's Ranking - Green Lantern - 2.75 stars - Don't fear Green Lantern's light.