The Green Lantern home world of Oa is under attack by Krona, being from the anti-matter universe, not seen since the Crisis on Infinite Earths. Hal Jordan, the first human Green Lantern of Sector 2814, tells stories about different Green Lanterns to the newest GL, Arisia Rrab of Sector 2815, while preparing for the battle against Krona.
There are 5 stories told about Green Lanterns past and present: Avra, Kilowog, Laira Omoto, Mogo, and Abin Sur. Avra is actually a new character conceived for this film, the first time an origin story for the original Green Lantern has ever been stated. The rest of the characters' stories are all based on exisiting comics. Kilowog's story depicts him shortly after receiving his power ring, showing how he became the tough drill instructor we all know today. Laira's story is a slight modification of her actual origin story from the comics, erasing any mentions of the Crisis on Infinite Earths, showing why she is such a tough cookie and the pain one potentially has to go through as a Green Lantern. Mogo's story is a humorous story taking the entire story to show who the hell Mogo is, specifically designed for people who don't know who Mogo is. Abin Sur's story is included mainly to show what kind of person Abin Sur was and to introduce the character Atrocitus, a future Red Lantern.
After all 5 stories are told, the Green Lantern Corps. then fight against Krona, defeating him using an idea coined by Arisia. Arisia is celebrated as the newest hero to appear in the Book of Oa, the ongoing chronicle of the Universe. Of course, some questions do remain for Green Lantern fans.
More or less everyone knows that Sinestro becomes a villain (what a surprise with that name, right?) and starts the Sinestro Corps., the first organization of Yellow Lanterns. There is reference to that in the movie, but the film plays Sinestro straight up as a good guy who has no hints of ever becoming the main antagonist of the Green Lanterns. A previously lesser known Lantern, Laira, also becomes a villain later on when she becomes a Red Lantern, and most recently a Black Lantern during the events of Blackest Night. Laira isn't exactly the most popular Green Lantern, especially considering she's only existed since 1993 and has never previously been mentioned outside the comics. She isn't given a credited role in the live-action film to be released next week, so why was Laira given a story and not say, Tomar-Re, who has a rather large role in the film?
DC has to be up to something.
The First Lantern: 4 giant swords out of 5
Kilowog: 5 poozers out of 5
Laira: 4 halberds out of 5
Mogo Doesn't Socialize: 5 Unrelenting Bolphungas out of 5
Abin Sur: 3 psychic villains out of 5
Emerald Knights: 3 Nathan Fillions out of 5
Average Score: 4 planets juggled out of 5
Green Lantern: Emerald Knights does a great job as a film for both old and new fans of Green Lantern. The actual Emerald Knights story is pretty boring and Hal Jordan doesn't get to do much of anything and Abin Sur's story is pretty bland too since all it does is tell new fans that SINESTRO IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED. Even a complete moron can tell just from his name that Sinestro is well, sinister. Avra's story is pretty cool, but the one flaw is that the story has the worst animation and character concepts seemingly designed by a 9-year-old. Kilowog and Mogo's stories really stand out and I would give Mogo's a 6/5 if I could, if only because it's a direct translation of Alan Moore's short story. Laira's story is also pretty good, but it's too action heavy and doesn't foreshadow at all that Laira is very unstable and will eventually become a Red Lantern.
Despite the small flaws, overall Emerald Knights is really awesome and should please both new and old fans.
Green Lantern starring Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan will be released next Friday and you can bet I'll be going to a midnight show.
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