The Green Hornet

2011 Action/Adventure

The hard-partying son of L.A.'s most powerful media magnate realizes his true calling as a crime-fighting vigilante after his father perishes under suspicious circumstances in this big-screen adaptation of the popular radio serial, comic book, film, and television series originated by Lone Ranger creators Fran Striker and George W. Trendle. James Reid (Tom Wilkinson) single-handedly built a media empire, but unfortunately his industrious genes weren't passed down to his son, Britt (Seth Rogen). Irresponsible, slovenly, and frequently inebriated, Britt is shaken out of his drunken stupor upon receiving word that his father has died. Shortly after Britt learns that he has inherited the family business, he forges an unlikely alliance with Kato (Jay Chou), one of his father's star employees, and together the pair hatch a plan to pose as villains in order to get close to the city's most high-powered criminals. Outfitting their indestructible custom-made car, The Black Beauty, with the absolute latest in technology and high-tech weaponry -- and arming themselves to the teeth with an array of gadgets that would make Batman blush -- the masked duo hit the streets as The Green Hornet and Kato. As the public's fascination with the mysterious crime fighters hits an all-time high, Britt's resourceful secretary, Lenore Case (Cameron Diaz), helps them to gather intelligence on notorious underworld kingpin Benjamin Chudnofsky (Christoph Waltz), a criminal who holds the entire city in the palm of his hand, and represents everything that Britt's father fought against. Little do the Green Hornet and Kato realize that Chudnofsky is already on to them, and that he's not about to go down without a fight. Rogen and frequent writing partner Evan Goldberg provide the screenplay, with visionary Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) handling directing duties. more..

Director: Michel Gondry

Starring: Seth Rogen,Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz, Tom Wilkinson, Christoph Waltz

Reviews

  • Never achieves sufficient traction to go the blockbuster distance.

    Michael Rechtshaffen - The Hollywood Reporter

    27 April 2013

  • The Green Hornet doesn't suck. But don't expect it to hang together either, what with the clashing tones and melting logic.

    Peter Travers - Rolling Stone

    27 April 2013

  • Some of the car gadgetry, Kato's specialty, looks cool...The Green Hornet is otherwise colorless, numbing and sluggishly paced.

    Claudia Puig - USA Today

    27 April 2013

  • It's off-putting, rude, misshapen, and more often than not hysterically funny. The second half, sadly, is an ear-splitting train wreck.

    Ty Burr - The Boston Globe

    27 April 2013

  • While this latest Rogen-penned iteration is a game try, it feels a bit like he's trying to make a volume out of a footnote.

    - Movieline

    27 April 2013

Awards

  • Best Action/Adventure Film

    Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films (2011)

     
  • Location Professional of the Year - Features

    California on Location Awards (2010)

  • Best Breakout Star

    MTV Movie Awards (2011)

     
  • Best Stunt Coordinator and/or 2nd Unit Director

    World Stunt Awards (2012)