'Green Lantern' breezy, forgettable

You can feel the grip of studio interference in every scene of "Green Lantern," the fast, expensive-looking adaptation of the DC Comics hero. The complicated origin story of test pilot-turned-galactic protector Hal Jordan has been trimmed to its essentials, allowing more time for flashy action sequences to keep 12-year-old boys coming back for more.

Truth be told, "Green Lantern" is entertaining enough while it plays, but it's easily the flimsiest of this summer's superhero adventures.

Ryan Reynolds stars as Hal Jordan, a cocky but talented pilot with deep-seeded daddy issues (all superheroes have them). When an alien crash lands on Earth, Hal is chosen to wear a mystical green ring that grants him powers to join a universe-wide peacekeeping force, the Green Lantern Corps.

The goofiness continues as Hal learns his powers on the Lantern home planet of Oa. He trains with stern leader Sinestro (Mark Strong) and the more encouraging Tomar-Re (voice of Geoffrey Rush), discovering that the ring can conjure any object imagined by its wearer, be it a green bazooka or a giant Hot Wheels loop.

The Lanterns are preparing for a fight with Parallax, a giant, soul-sucking blob who aims to destroy the universe. Uh-oh.

That might be enough for a compelling originstory, but Hal has problems at home too. Ex-flame Carol Ferris (lovely Blake Lively) wants Hal to be more serious about test piloting, and scientist/rival Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard) loses his marbles.

"Green Lantern" never allows much time between expensive CGI showings, and director Martin Campbell ("Casino Royale") is much more comfortable handling the action than he is with the quieter, expository elements. Still, the intergalactic angle is atypical for a superhero movie, making even the silliest elements watchable.

Every supporting character gets the bare minimum backstory, leaving great actors like Tim Robbins and Angela Bassett with nothing to do. Lively looks pretty but doesn't have much to say, and even Reynolds is one-note as the title character.

Only Sarsgaard makes an impression, despite a storyline that takes a backseat to the Parallax blob in the final act. Before then, Sarsgaard shows true menace as the wackadoo super-scientist.

Fans of the comic will appreciate "Green Lantern" for its commitment to the source material, and kids will want to rush out and buy the Green Lantern vs. Parallax playset. Nevertheless, it's clear the studio never allowed the filmmakers to bring much original vision to the project.

It plays it safe at every turn, which is fine enough while it lasts.

Grade: B-

Ticket Stubs is sponsored by the Hayden Cinema Six Theater. Showtimes at www.HaydenCinema6.com. Tyler Wilson can be reached at [email protected].