'Lanterns' Is Finally Here: The First Season Has 95% on RT, but Is It Really Worth Watching?

Green Lantern has had a particularly unfortunate series of adaptations: the 2011 movie starring Ryan Reynolds is almost forgotten and during Zack Snyder's tenure, the character was completely overlooked.

However, after the collapse of the DCEU, James Gunn and Peter Safran promised to build a new cinematic universe differently – Lanterns was among the first projects they announced.

Initially pitched as a grounded detective story in the vein of True Detective, the show has almost nothing left of the space opera. However, that doesn't make the project any less impressive.

What Is 'Lanterns' About?

The first episode introduces us to three timelines: 1996, 2016, and 2026. The plot centers on Hal Jordan, the famous Green Lantern, and his apprentice, John Stewart. Hal is a seasoned veteran who is self-assured, sarcastic, and accustomed to being above the rules.

John, on the other hand, is a disciplined and collected "boy scout" who is accustomed to completing tasks exactly as instructed. Their relationship is based on the classic mentor-student dynamic, with Hal deliberately putting John into difficult situations.

Together, they investigate a crime in Rushville, Nebraska, where something sinister lurks beneath the surface.

'Lanterns' Avoids Superhero Cliches, Embracing a Neo-Western Style Instead

The most curious thing about Lanterns is how different the series is from the typical superhero story: the main events take place in Rushville, a small town with a tough sheriff, a ranch full of guns, and residents who are hiding something.

It's a classic gray-and-yellow backwater where something sinister lurks beneath the surface of ordinariness. While the pilot lacks the depth of True Detective, it evokes the feel of Fargo and modern neo-Westerns.

The Green Lantern ring is rarely used, there's no real sense of scale, and most of the episode takes place in diners and interrogation rooms. The new DCU isn't afraid to be different – Lanterns bears almost no resemblance to James Gunn's usual superhero movies.

Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre's On-Screen Chemistry Makes 'Lanterns' Worth Watching

Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre have the same on-screen chemistry that Nic Pizzolatto introduced us to in True Detective – there's already a hint of irritation and respect between their characters, and they seem destined to become partners.

Hal Jordan is exactly how we envisioned him: tired, sarcastic, yet charismatic. John Stewart remains somewhat in the shadows, but his character works well precisely in contrast to Hal.

Like most pilots, this one suffers from the typical problems: it needs to introduce the characters, explain the rules, and set the stage. However, the first episode is anything but boring – the ending hints at something bigger, creating suspense and a desire to continue watching.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Lanterns'?

• Lanterns has 95% from critics and 85% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 8.3/10.

Where to Watch 'Lanterns'?

Lanterns is available to stream on HBO Max.