Unlike Tom Cruise in Top Gun (1986), Ryan Reynolds' character is presented as a genuine human being that isn't scripted over the top, melodramatic two-dimensional character. Even though Hal Jordan (Reynolds) is the masculine over the top narcissist, this character maintains a delicate much more complex and even somewhat underplayed character making the star attraction even more acceptable and believable. Unlike Batman movies, unlike almost every other superhero, Hal is authentic in his nature. Even Peter Skarsgaard as Hector Hammond is the movie's nemesis is given a believable character development unlike those found in Spiderman (2002) and Willem Dafoe's Norman Osborn. The fantastic otherworldly set designs are superior in their innovative vision that sets it apart from Avatar (2009), Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999). What is accomplished is that Ryan Reynold's humor originates from not comedic nature, but just from the more difficult nature of events and circumstances and retaining the character that he is making this movie even more balanced and mature. There are great emotive subplots going on here that aren't exploited and there is an immediate harshness unlike Spiderman that aren't unwieldy or saccharin. Only three technical, but small weaknesses earlier in the movie became apparent, the unnecessary Star Gate (1994) motiff, the reverse alien leg design from The Arrival (1996), and the incongruity of Reynold's character receiving universal knowledge but still having to ask questions. Overall, this is a great fusion of less known superhero but as such it brings with it a potent and serious punch to this genre.
