My final review of LANTERNS:
Everyone knows that I love Green Lantern and approached this project as a viewer with enthusiasm and credulity. I am not a reactionary bigot. My bigotry emerges slow and deliberately as all of the evidence slithers in. And at that point, could it be called bigotry? I dare say not.
I loved watching LANTERNS. I am not going to knock off points for it not being precisely what I would expect from a Green Lantern show. I’m not going to attack it’s budgetary constraints and limits. I’m game for whatever these folks are capable of putting on.
I watched carefully, week after week, enjoying guessing at the mystery. Listening closely to dialogue and gleaning clues from it. I was a good audience for LANTERNS.
I needed to watch all 8 episodes before rendering my verdict, because this has to be a matter of story and character. I have done so, without prejudice or malice.
And here it is: You failed. It shouldn’t have been hard to drag these characters through the hell you put them through and have them come out better for it by episode eight, but instead you tarnished and destroyed them. All of them. Even the Manhunters are reduced by this show.
John is a selfish, villanous asshole. Kerry is a monstrously stupid and cowardly murderer, the Guardians are either weird schemers or absent entirely, Guy is a pussy and Hal…why did you need to murder him in such a hollow and meaningless, deeply depressing and sick way?
There is something deeply wrong with your entire writing room. I cannot believe James Gunn of GOTG fame could allow this sick nightmare to coexist with his typically fun superhero films. All of you should be ashamed for this profound failure.
People told me you hated Hal Jordan. I thought that was a stupid notion…but I think they were actually correct. That mental illness led you to destroy the terrific John Stewart, too. In trying to demote Hal, you killed John’s decency, loyalty and his soul.
I’m so sad about this result. Ask anyone. I loved watching the show and believed you stick the landing. Hal’s father stuck his landing better.
God have mercy on your souls.
1/10 stars. Pure evil, but Kyle Chandler was a revelation. Bless him.