Lanterns review:
There’s been a lot of hype around Lanterns, and after watching all eight episodes, I can understand why. The new DC Universe series doesn’t feel like just another superhero show. In fact, for a good part of its runtime, it barely feels like one.
And that’s probably the best thing about it.
Now fully available to stream on JioHotstar in India and HBO Max globally, Lanterns follows Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) as they investigate a mysterious case that gradually turns into something much bigger than either of them expected.
The interesting part is that the show takes a surprisingly grounded approach.
Instead of throwing Green Lanterns into space immediately and filling every scene with CGI creatures, alien worlds and huge battles, Lanterns spends a lot of time on Earth. There’s an actual mystery to solve, and the series almost feels like a crime thriller for the first few episodes.
That might sound strange for a Green Lantern show, but somehow it works.
Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre are the real deal
The biggest strength of the series is easily its two leads.
Also Read:Senapathy Is Back! Indian 3 Is Official — And This Time, It’s War
Kyle Chandler brings a tired, experienced quality to Hal Jordan. He’s clearly seen a lot, and there’s a sense that the job has taken its toll on him. He isn’t presented as some perfect superhero who always knows what to do.
Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart, meanwhile, brings a very different energy. He’s younger, more serious and still figuring out what being a Lantern actually means.
Their dynamic takes a little time to settle, but once it does, it becomes one of the best parts of the show. They don’t instantly become best friends, and thankfully, the series doesn’t force it.
There’s tension between them. Sometimes they irritate each other. Sometimes they actually listen to each other. It feels much more believable.
It’s more mystery than superhero spectacle
If you’re expecting eight episodes of nonstop Green Lantern action, this may not be what you imagined.
Lanterns is much more interested in its mystery.
The show provides some weird elements, suspicious characters and quite a number of situations where you don’t really know what’s going on. Though it doesn’t move very fast, but the majority of the times it knows how to pace itself.
Sometimes the show is too slow for your liking. Some parts are so slow that you will be waiting impatiently for something to happen.
However, when all the pieces finally fall into place, you appreciate the effort.
Moreover, since the show doesn’t overwhelm you with the information about the Green Lantern mythology from the very first episodes, it becomes even more fascinating to learn more about it.
Strong supporting cast
In this regard, the show boasts an incredible cast of supporting actors with such names as Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Jason Ritter, Laura Linney, Nathan Fillion and Ulrich Thomsen.
None of them is there only to give some background information.
There are characters you become suspicious of, characters you start caring about and a few who leave you wondering whether they’re hiding something. That uncertainty keeps the story moving.
Nathan Fillion, in particular, adds some much-needed personality whenever he appears, while the rest of the cast keeps the more grounded side of the story working.
The direction keeps things surprisingly grounded
The episodes are directed by James Hawes, Geeta Vasant Patel, Alik Sakharov and Stephen Williams, and the show generally has a serious, atmospheric look.
It doesn’t feel overly glossy.
There’s a lot of darkness, quiet conversations and locations that look lived-in rather than designed purely for a superhero show. The directors also give the actors room to actually perform instead of rushing from one action scene to another.
And when the action does arrive, it carries more weight.
Is Lanterns perfect?
No.
The biggest issue is probably the pacing. Some episodes move beautifully, while others feel like they’re stretching a mystery that could have been solved a little faster.
There are also moments when the show becomes a bit too serious for its own good. A little more humour here and there wouldn’t have hurt.
But these are relatively minor complaints.
What I find most surprising about Lanterns is how the series does not feel insecure in its difference. It never feels the need to constantly let the audience know that they are watching a superhero series. It just believes in the story, the characters, and the performance.
And this just adds to the intrigue that the Green Lantern part of the story brings when it comes into play.
Final Verdict
Lanterns is not the biggest fanfare of DC shows, and it is not trying to be.
It is a mystery show with a character-driven story hidden within it, with Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre being the heart of the series.
For longtime DC fans, there’s plenty here to get excited about. For people who aren’t particularly interested in Green Lantern lore, the detective-thriller approach makes the series surprisingly accessible.
While it won’t revolutionize superhero TV, what it does do is bring the mythos of the Green Lantern back to being a bit more exciting.
Also Read:Tamil Film Mandaadi Is Now Streaming on Netflix — But There’s One Problem
Rating: 4/5
Stream it if: You love mystery thrillers, character-centric superhero fare, and DC properties that can afford to take their time.
Streaming: Lanterns is now fully available on JioHotstar in India and HBO Max globally.
