The newest superhero in theaters, the Green Lantern, is based on a successful comic book series from the 1940s. The film is centered around a struggling and headstrong pilot, Hal, with trauma from his youth. He soon gets pulled into an intergalactic conflict when a dying, purple alien gives him a green, glowing ring and tells him that he has been chosen to be a Green Lantern, a select group of the universe’s protectors.

When Hal’s childhood friend brings a terrifying and evil creature to attack Earth, he is forced to conquer his fear and use his inner strength to defeat it and save everyone he cares about.

Blake Lively, who I’m fond of on the television show Gossip Girl, starred as the hero’s love interest. I was surprised by how small a leading role she played, and I was also shocked to see her as a serious brunette, and a much different character than I was used to her playing.

The Green Lantern wasn’t much of a love story, although it did have other things going for it. Ryan Reynolds portrays unlikely heroes extremely well, so he was very good as the Green Lantern. It was particularly interesting to watch Peter Sarsgaard as the deranged and sinister scientist-turned-villain because he truly showed the deep-rooted anger he had for those closest to him.

One of my favorite things about the film was the special effects they used for the Green Lanterns’ powers. Their powers came from their special rings and their own strength of will. The Green Lanterns were able to manifest anything they wanted to using their imaginations and their rings, which led to many creative and interesting scenes.

For example, Hal conjured a giant roller coaster to save Lively’s character from being hit by a crashing helicopter. It was exciting to watch what they could do with their powers, and they created great action scenes.

I thought the message of the movie was its strongest point. Hal has to learn that fear is inevitable, but success comes from overcoming that fear. The leader of the Green Lanterns believed that to be strong, one shouldn’t have any fear, but Hal shows him that the human way to be strong comes from the willpower to overcome fear. He also shows him that everyone, even those who seem like they do not, has fear. The message was very true, and I believe that it applies to everyone.

The Green Lantern was a fast paced superhero film filled with action. I thought it was very entertaining and interesting to watch, although I didn’t think they used the 3D effect very well, because I didn’t notice it once.

But, because of the film’s relatable message, I believe that anyone who appreciates superhero or science fiction movies will enjoy The Green Lantern.

Aran Kirschenmann, 15, is a contributing writer for the Bellevue Reporter and a sophomore at The International School in Bellevue. You may reach and connect with her on her Facebook page “The Young Critic.”