Trailer Talk Thursday: Green Lantern and Cowboys and Aliens

Hey everyone, Travis of the Movie Encyclopedia here with another edition of Trailer Talk Thursday where I bring you the latest trailers to hit the silver screen.

This week saw the release of two highly anticipated trailers: Ryan Reynolds and Martin Campbell's take on the DC fan favorite Green Lantern and Jon Favreau, Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's take on the classic graphic novel Cowboy's and Aliens. Looks like it's time to crack open the comics...

First up is Green Lantern- 

 I've always been a fan of the Green Lantern, even before I became the comic nerd that I am now. The idea of a man who could fly and materialize anything he wanted all because of a magical alien ring was mesmerizing to five year old me. While I always fancied myself a Batman enthusiast (the posters, action figures and costume could vouch for that), it would still be cool to put on a ring and imagine being able to create a giant hammer out of thin air. But then I did get into comics and I found myself realizing that while I still loved Green Lantern, he has some convoluted and confusing stories. Not to mention there are thousands of Lanterns and the DC universe focuses on many of them. Still though I find myself catching myself up and I enjoy every minute of it.

The film version however (which is what you care about) follows probably the most famous Lantern Hal Jordan and his origin story of how he became a Lantern. It also features the introduction of two of my favorite super-villains, Sinestro and Hector Hammond. Hal is played by People's Sexiest Man Alive of 2010 and all around badass Ryan Reynolds, who plays the character perfectly, mixing the charm, charisma and badassery necessary to be Hal Jordan. Sinestro is played by perpetual bad guy Mark Strong with Peter Sarsgaard playing Hammond. Both look good in their roles, although the trailer didn't focus much on them. The effects look great, the story looks solid and hopefully it lives up to the hype.

Here is the trailer:

Next up is Cowboys and Aliens-

I read the original graphic novel (and subsequent online webcomic sequel) a while back and fell in love with the concept. The title got straight to the point, as this IS a tale about cowboys and aliens, but the action and the story are much deeper than that. Mixing elements of sci-fi and western to create something that on paper seems silly but in execution is amazing, Cowboys and Aliens is a thrill ride from beginning to end. But how does the film stand up?

Well if the trailer is any indication then damn...it looks good. Besides my inner geek going "James Bond and Han Solo vs aliens!!??", the style and effects are fantastic in look as well feel. It captures that 19th century essence of the old west and tosses in that War of the Worlds esque alien takeover feel that we have come to expect from sci-fi films. It looks great, the acting looks fantastic (the casting person should be kissed) and with so many great and talented people touching this film, I'm sure this one will become a classic. I'd be terribly sad if all this awesome were to be squandered somehow.

Here is the trailer:

But these are just my opinions. Tell me what you think in the comments below and I will see you all next week on Trailer Talk Thursday.