No originality in ‘The Green Hornet’

Media magnate James Reid (Tom Wilkinson) dies from an allergic reaction to a bee sting, leaving his empire to his wastrel party-loving son, Britt (Seth Rogen).

He forges an unlikely friendship with chauffeur Kato (Jay Chou) and together they fight crime on the city streets. In his guise as The Green Hornet, Britt strikes fear into the heart of the underworld controlled by Benjamin Chudnofsky (Christoph Waltz).

Sexy secretary Lenore Case (Cameron Diaz), who has a degree in criminology, proves a valuable ally in stoking the mythology of The Green Hornet to splash across the front pages. Unfortunately, Britt underestimates the determination of Chudnofsky, who intends to swat the masked heroes and seize back control of Los Angeles.

‘The Green Hornet’ resurrects the eponymous masked avenger from George W Trendle’s popular radio series and puts him at the centre of a flimsy, illogical plot and a blitzkrieg of headache-inducing action sequences.

A puerile script by Rogen and Evan Goldberg of ‘Superbad’ renown leaves no room for sparks of originality.

Michel Gondry’s film lacks cohesion, clumsily teeing up set pieces which include a ridiculous chase around the newspaper offices.

Britt is deeply unlikeable – oafish, crude and selfish – and we spend the entire film praying unkindly that someone will slap that smug grin off Rogen’s face.

Chou is tolerable as the sidekick with slick martial arts moves, but Diaz has nothing to do other than stand around in her underwear, which might be recommendation enough for some viewers.

Rating: 2/5