Now Showing: Red Lantern Corps

 

Red Lantern Corps

Genre: Action/Superhero

Director: Fede Alvarez

Writers: APJ & Jimmy Ellis

Based on DC Comics characters

Cast: John Boyega, Idris Elba, Luke Evans, Seann William Scott, Riley Keough, Kevin Durand, Thomas Middleditch, Tony Hale, Bryan Brown, Freddie Fox, Karl Yune, Richard T. Jones, Terrence Stamp, Marianne Jean-Baptiste

Plot: Once a planet of breathtaking beauty, Ryut's vibrant orange skies cast a radiant glow upon its rocky landscape, captivating all who dwelled there. However, those days of tranquility and splendor have been irrevocably extinguished. Instead, the polluted air now reeks of brimstone and ash, a testament to the devastation that has befallen the planet. Once-thriving homes lay in ruins, reduced to nothing more than smoldering wreckage. Amidst the desolation, a scarlet-skinned alien races across the cracked surface, his veins pulsating with intensity, a tightly gripped blaster in his left hand. In the distance, the sight of collapsing buildings fuels his determination. Despite the agony of bleeding feet, Atrocitus (Idris Elba) perseveres, navigating through the debris-strewn landscape. As he crawls through a crevice, a faint voice whispers for help. Atrocitus discovers a member of the Ryutian guard trapped beneath the weight of debris. "Hold on," Atrocitus growls, summoning every ounce of strength to remove the rubble and rescue the guard. Grateful but unaware of his mortal wound, the guard thanks Atrocitus. With the guard's last breath drawing near, Atrocitus clasps his hand, offering solace in his final moments. Suddenly, a familiar voice calls out to him, jolting Atrocitus from his mourning. "Ferta?" Discarding his blaster, Atrocitus runs toward his wife, embracing her and their child, Cinta. Urgently, he begins to speak, but before he can finish, beams of malevolent yellow energy rain down from the sky, obliterating Ferta and Cinta and compelling Atrocitus to seek shelter. "NO MAN ESCAPES THE MANHUNTERS." As the silver and red robots soar into the heavens, Atrocitus emerges from his hiding place, his injured body trembling, cradling the charred remnants of his family in his arms. Clutching what remains of Cinta's doll, he witnesses it dissolve into dust before his anguished eyes.

YEARS LATER

John Stewart (John Boyega) flies down to the surface of the planet Korugar, immediately changing into civilian clothes with his ring. Stewart walks the surface of Korugar, carrying the ashes of the deceased Katma Tui. He arrives to a smaller part of Korugar City, where young children look at him with intrigue. He continues walking, reaching a small shelter. Stewart recognises a woman toward the back of the shelter as Katma Tui’s mother, Naziha Tui (Marianne Jean-Baptiste). Stewart approaches the woman and asks her if she could speak with him about Katma. She asks him what happened to her, he tells her they should find some place quiet.

Atrocitus stands before Krona (Billy Dee Williams) on Ysmault. The anger seethes from Atrocitus. Still recovering from his injuries at the hands of Sinestro (Luke Evans), Krona is in no spot to pick a fight, he instead tries to reason with Atrocitus. Atrocitus, hearing none of the reasoning coming from Krona, keeps moving forward. He tells Krona to move, allow him access to the red power battery. Krona says that no such battery exists, Atrocitus begins to intimidate Krona even further, leading Krona to concede and tell Atrocitus he will lead him to the battery. Krona leads Atrocitus into a cave on the star, as they get deeper into the cave, Atrocitus becomes suspicious. The two of them eventually reach their destination, revealing a clear glass-like power battery. Seemingly being led to a deadend and without even hearing Krona out, Atrocitus snaps, brutally killing Krona. Krona's blood however stains the clear battery red, thus creating a new central power battery for the red power rings on Ysmault. Feeling the power reach out to his red power ring, Atrocitus approaches the battery, smiling. Atrocitus tells the battery to find others that possess the anger, the hurt, to punish those who caused it. The power battery sends various red rings out into the galaxy.

John Stewart sits with Naziha Tui in a secluded part of the shelter. He gives her Katma’s ashes, leading to Naziha to break down in tears. John begins to choke up as he speaks, telling Naziha that she gave her life to save the galaxy. Naziha can see from the look on John’s face that he loved her asking him this, John nods. Naziha thanks him for the ashes and asks that John not let her death be for nothing.

John Stewart flies in space, as he flies his eyes begin to well, but the sadness forms anger. As he continues flying his eyes light up red, as a red lantern ring appears in front of him stopping. He stares at the ring for a beat, before reaching out for it, the ring slides onto his finger as we see the green disappear from John Stewart and turn into red.

Green Lanterns Tomar-Re (Bryan Brown), Ke-Haan (Richard T. Jones) and his star pupil Laira Omoto (Riley Keough) escort Sinestro from the prison of Starlag to Oa to hold council with Ganthet and the rest of the Guardians. The trial of Sinestro commences, with both Kilowog (Kevin Durand) and Tomar-Re giving evidence against Sinestro for his crimes. Sinestro is asked if he has anything to say before the sentence is places. Sinestro smiles, then laughs. Ganthet says that if that is all, they sentence Sinestro to death, and for it to take place in the atmosphere of Korugar, Sinestro’s home, the day after next.

Coast City

A room in a school gym is filled with people seated in a circle, their faces etched with sorrow and pain. One of the people, Guy Gardner (Seann William Scott), sits among them, his muscles tense and eyes burning, he hasn’t slept in a long time. Since the war between the Sinestro corps and Green Lanterns destroyed the city, killing his mother, wife and three children. His fists are clenched tight, turning his knuckles white. As others share their stories of loss and heartache, Guy's anger simmers just beneath the surface, threatening to boil over. His gaze is interrupted by a Red Lantern Ring, sitting on the table near the coffee, speaking to him, pulsating with raw power. It calls to him, promising an outlet for his rage, a means to avenge his fallen family. The room falls silent, and in that moment, Guy makes a decision that will change his destiny. He rises abruptly, his chair screeching against the floor, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. With a burning intensity in his eyes, he strides toward the table, reaches out, and clenches the Red Lantern Ring in his fist. He is immediately enveloped in red and shot out into space.

Ganthet floats within orbit of Korugar, awaiting the arrival of the Green Lantern Corps and Sinestro. Escorted once more by Laira Omoto, Tomar-Re and Ke-Haan, Sinestro arrives. After little deliberation, Ganthet proceeds to the execution. Before the execution can go much further a blast of yellow strikes Ke-Haan and sends him hurtling toward Korugar, Laira follows her mentor down, and eventually creates a mattress for Ke-Haan to land on, he does however bounce off the mattress and into a building.

Sinestro Corps member, Dez Trevius (Freddie Fox) flies in at full speed, forming constructs, shaped as a monsters mouth lunging at Tomar-Re. Tomar-Re manages to shield himself. Tomar-Re retaliated swiftly, forming a gigantic emerald hammer in his hand. With a mighty swing, he sent it hurtling toward Dez Trevius, who barely managed to erect a yellow shield in time to deflect the blow. Trevius summoned his most potent weapon: a yellow energy blade, to which he began attacking Tomar-Re.

Laira Omoto tries to fly back up to space, but she too is attacked by a Sinestro Corps member, Ampa Nnn (Karl Yune). Ampa and Laira battle on the ground, with both creating constructs to rival the other. Ke-Haan regroups and helps Laira out in the battle, finishing Ampa off. They then fly back up to assist Tomar-Re. When they get back to space, Ke-Haan tells Laira to help Tomar-Re, he will secure Sinestro. As Ke-Haan approaches Sinestro to secure him, he is tackled by a ball of red energy. Atrocitus, has a hold of Ke-Haan and drives him all the way down to Korugar’s surface, before throwing him into a piece of metal sticking out from the building he was put into. Atrocitus stares at the body before flying back into space. He flies past Sinestro and knocks him out, carrying him away. Laira, distracted by K’Haan’s death doesn’t see Dez Trevius coming her way. Tomar-Re intercepts Trevius and the two of them hurtle down to the surface of Korugar. Laira Omoto is stuck between going after Atrocitus and Sinestro or fly down and go to K’haan, Tomar-Re and Trevius. She flies down to the surface, and spots Trevius dead on the land, Tomar-Re injured, unable to move. K’Haan, unfortunately dead. Omoto grabs hold of Tomar-Re, and creates a stretcher construct to go under K’Haan. She flies them all back to Oa so Tomar-Re can receive medical attention.

John Stewart flies through space, his body encapsulated by a pulsating red light. The energy of his Red Lantern ring courses through him, amplifying his rage and determination. As he flies, he notices another red light in the distance, flickering with a similar intensity. He accelerates, closing the distance quickly, eventually finding Atrocitus and his prisoner, Sinestro. The sight of Sinestro stirs up a fresh wave of anger within Stewart. Atrocitus tells Stewart that Sinestro will pay as the architect of their pain. Without warning, Stewart lunges at Atrocitus, forming a massive red construct of an M1 Abrams tank with his ring. The tank's cannon fires a powerful blast, but Atrocitus counters with a shield. The two violently clash, their red energies crackling and sparking upon impact, sending shockwaves through space. Atrocitus manages to push Stewart back, telling him that he fights well, but that his rage is misdirected at him. Stewart roars, conjuring a firing squad of red energy, ready to execute the unconscious Sinestro. Atrocitus uses his energy to block the blasts. During a brief moment of respite, Atrocitus locks eyes with Stewart and tells him that together they can use Sinestro to lure the rest of the Sinestro Corps and exact revenge against his entire army. Stewart hesitates, wondering why he should trust him. Atrocitus says that he created the Red Lantern Corps for the very purpose that the Green Lanterns couldn't protect their loved ones. Atrocitus says that their revenge will begin by bringing Sinestro to Ryut. As they fly, Stewart asks Atrocitus if he hurt any Green Lanterns retrieving Sinestro. Atrocitus lies, saying it was a quick swipe - no harm done.

Laira Omoto's heart is heavy as she flies through space. She finds Kilowog as he is training some new GLC recruits on a distant asteroid. Laira calls out for him. Kilowog pauses the training, sensing urgency in Laira's voice. She informs Kilowog that K'Haan has been killed, Sinestro has been freed, Tomar-Re injured and John Stewart has been captured - all seemingly by Sinestro's followers. Kilowog's eyes widen with anger. Laira says that the Guardians don't want them going after them, but she refuses to just sit back and do nothing. Kilowog agrees to help her. Laira thanks him, but admits that she fears that two Green Lanterns may not be enough. Kilowog says that he has a couple of Lanterns who could help. He calls out for G'Nort (Tony Hale) and Ch'p (Thomas Middleditch). Soon, G’Nort, a large fluffy anthropomorphic dog-like creature, and Ch’p, who looks like an ordinary chipmunk, emerge. Laira eyes them skeptically. Kilowog urges her to not let their appearances fool her - they're good Lanterns who simply are not taken seriously because of how they look. Laira explains the mission to them. G'Nort says he is always ready for an adventure. Ch'p nods, saying they can't leave any Lantern behind. Kilowog excuses he trainees, telling them all to head back to Oa.

Guy Gardner hurtles out of control through the cosmos, enveloped in a crimson aura. Flashes of his families deaths stream through his mind, fueling his fury that is powering the red power ring, which guides him toward Ryut. Gardner crashes down violently onto the desolate surface of Ryut, creating a massive crater upon impact. He rises from the smoking crater, eyes blazing red. John Stewart and Atrocitus both see the smoke in the distance. Stewart says he will go to investigate. As he approaches, Stewart is surprised to find another human standing amidst the wreckage. Stewart asks if he is alright. Gardner snaps, asking who the hell Stewart is. Stewart explains who he is and asks how the red power ring came to Gardner. Gardner says that his family died in the attack on Coast City and he has felt an insatiable rage ever since. Stewart tells Gardner that he's not alone and that they have a plan to make sure another attack like that can never happen again. Stewart tells Gardner to use the power of the ring to follow him. Gardner is confused, but Stewart simply tells him to use his instincts. Sure enough, Gardner begins to use the ring's power to fly. Stewart and Gardner fly back to Atrocitus fortress, where Stewart informs Atrocitus that they have a new recruit. Atrocitus tells them that he has a signal ready to send out into space that will draw the Sinestro Corps to Ryut. When they arrive, the plan is to strike at them with every ounce of rage they have. As they prepare for battle, Gardner asks Stewart how he came into possession of his red power ring. Stewart tells him that the woman he loved, Katma Tui, was taken from him by the same entity that destroyed Coast City - the Sinestro Corps.

Sinestro slowly regains consciousness, his head throbbing. He squints through the dim light of Atrocitus' fortress, taking in his surroundings. Atrocitus stands nearby, monitoring his captive. Sinestro begins taunting Atrocitus and his red ring, calling him out for being easily manipulated and being nothing without his rage. Atrocitus roars in fury, lunging at Sinestro, striking him with a thunderous punch. Sinestro uses the force of the blow to break from his binds. Atrocitus tells Sinestro he is nothing without his yellow power ring and begins another attack. Sinestro holds out his hand, summoning a yellow power ring that quickly flies onto his finger. Sinestro is suddenly enveloped in bright yellow light. Sinestro fires a yellow energy blast before Atrocitus even has time to react. Hearing the commotion, John Stewart and Guy Gardner rush in. The quickly assess the situation and, recognizing the danger Sinestro poses, fight at Atrocitus' side.

Meanwhile, in another sector of the galaxy, Dez Trevius and Ampa Nnn, the last loyal followers of Sinestro, receive an alert from Sinestro's power ring. The signal points them toward Ryut. Ampa forms a yellow construct of a sleek spaceship and the two members of the Sinestro Corps climb aboard the construct. The ship blazes a trail of yellow light as it rockets toward Ryut.

Kilowog, Laira, G'Nort and Ch'p intercept the same signal. Laira, already prepared for action, tells Kilowog they need to get to Ryut now. Kilowog orders G'Nort and Ch'p to get into formation. The four Green Lantern shoot off into space toward Ryut at top speed.

Back on Ryut, Atrocitus, Stewart, and Gardner are gaining the upper hand against the weakened Sinestro. Sinestro fights back fiercely, but he's clearly struggling to defend himself against the three Red Lanterns. Just as it seems that he may become overpowered, Dez Trevius and Ampa Nnn arrive, evening the odds. Ampa Nnn engages Gardner, who struggles against the experienced Sinestro Corps member, but his rage keeps him in the fight. The battle rages through the ruins of Ryut as red and yellow blasts of energy color the sky.

Kilowog, Laira, G'Nort and Ch'p arrive on Ryut, stunned to see John Stewart fighting as a Red Lantern. The sight of his Green Lantern Corps comrades causes Stewart to stop what he is doing. Kilowog informs Stewart that Atrocitus killed Ke'Haan. This causes Stewart to remember the words of Naziha. He takes a deep breath. He puts on his green power ring, dual-wielding it with his red power ring. Stewart creates constructs to attack helicopters, one red and one green, launching a coordinated assault on both Atrocitus and Sinestro. Atrocitus, caught between the crossfire, tries to evade Stewart's attacks while still targeting Sinestro. Laira joins the fight against Dez, overcoming him with an assist from the inexperienced Gardner.

G'Nort and Ch'p team up against Ampa Nnn, their unconventional partnership proving quite effective. G'Nort's brute strength and Ch'p's rodent-like agility create a dynamic duo that easily defeats Ampa. G'Nort sits on top of the defeated Sinestro Corps member, while Ch'p uses his teeth to pry the yellow power ring from his finger, leaving him powerless.

Kilowog steps in to confront Atrocitus for killing Ke'Haan. He forms a massive green axe, swinging it with all his might. The green axe chops Atrocitus' ring-wielding hand clean off, de-powering the Red Lantern. Sinestro, realizing he must escape to live to fight another day, creates a diversion and escapes, flying off in a swarm of yellow shooting stars. Laira asks if they are going to arrest Atrocitus. Kilowog ponders it for a moment, looking around at Atrocitus' demolished home world around them. He shakes his head, insisting that leaving Atrocitus in such a miserable setting is punishment enough for now - they have to set their sights on re-capturing Sinestro now.

John Stewart takes off the red power ring, becoming his normal Green Lantern self again. He approaches Gardner after the battle, who is still brimming with rage. Stewart suggests that Gardner channel his rage toward justice and become a member of the Green Lantern Corps. Gardner hesitates, but promises to consider it.