Blinking light

Effects-heavy but a popcorn flick devoid of fun moments, “Green Lantern” is based on the long-running DC comic book of the same name. Bequeathed a will-powered ring by a dying alien, cocky and misunderstood pilot Hal Jordan becomes part of an intergalactic police force, creating light constructs and fighting space-spawned menaces connected to his predecessor.

Understandably, the film is its own entity, as it compresses and revamps details from the source comic book. That may initially impress the loyal reader, but the potential of the semi-faithfulness isn’t fully explored and the movie focuses instead on a very typical, surprise-free hero’s journey. Hal Jordan is played by Ryan Reynolds, who spices up the role a bit despite his sometimes-annoying jokey demeanor. Reynolds gives Hal some recognizable personality, at least, because Hal’s pretty dull in the comics.

Blake Lively makes a decent Carol Ferris, also a strong-willed pilot and Hal’s longtime friend and occasional lover. Unfortunately, their pairing has no sparks; their scenes together are unexciting, and the movie slows down considerably whenever they’re focused on.

As for the villains, the disfigured psychic Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard) and the cosmic creature Parallax aren’t at all distressing antagonists; one’s typically the vengeful nerd conveniently pining for Carol, while the other’s a cloudy mass reminiscent of the film version of Galactus. A respected Green Lantern, Sinestro (Mark Strong), isn’t a villain yet, but older fans might wish that his fascistic tendencies were more concretely hinted at. Still, he’s shown as someone likely to pursue his own agenda.

The super-brawls proceed mechanically, sadly, disappointing with less-than-imaginative fight tactics and emotionally disconnecting confrontations. “Green Lantern” ultimately does little to make the main character a sympathetic and awe-inspiring figure, and his cosmic feats lack grandeur and lasting impact.