Lanterns Dazzles Critics with Unbelievable First Reactions

The arrival of “Lanterns” on HBO has sparked excitement among superhero enthusiasts and TV lovers alike. Helmed by the dynamic trio of Chris Mundy, Tom King, and Damon Lindelof, the show has been met with a positive reception from critics. Starring Aaron Pierre and “Friday Night Lights” star Kyle Chandler as Green Lanterns John Stewart and Hal Jordan, the series embarks on a thrilling journey as these characters unravel a complex murder mystery.

Praised primarily for its compelling performances, “Lanterns” shines as a superhero drama. As Alison Herman from Variety notes, the show’s strength lies in its character-driven narrative. Herman highlights the synergy between Chandler and Pierre, stating, “Chandler and Pierre may be squarely in their comfort zones, but that also puts them in a position to succeed.” Meanwhile, Ben Travers at IndieWire lauds Chandler’s portrayal, describing Hal Jordan as “the irascible old-timer whose belittlement can be interpreted as tough love.” Travers appreciates how the series acknowledges and subverts audience expectations, calling it a standout element of both “Lanterns” and Chandler’s acclaimed performance.

Daniel Feinberg, from The Hollywood Reporter, draws comparisons between “Lanterns” and the Amazon Prime Video hit “Reacher.” Feinberg describes “Lanterns” as a series rooted in DC Comics, with moments of visually impressive superhero grandiosity. Yet, as adapted by Mundy, Lindelof, and King, it closely resembles a Jack Reacher narrative. He paints a vivid picture of Pierre’s character as an outsized, rebellious figure who shakes up a small Nebraska town, challenging the local law enforcement and unraveling a deeper conspiracy before the dust settles.

Over at The Hollywood Reporter, Daniel Feinberg compared “Lanterns” to “Reacher,” a hit series on Amazon Prime Video. “HBO’s ‘Lanterns’ has DC Comics roots and some moments of effects-driven superhero bombast,” he began. “But, as adapted by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and Tom King, what it feels like is a Jack Reacher story with Aaron Pierre as the swaggering, oversized outsider who strolls into a small Nebraska town, undermines law enforcement, beds random women and refuses to leave before unraveling a mid-level conspiracy.”

A particularly accessible thing about “Lanterns,” according to IGN reviewer Jesse Schedeen, is that it doesn’t necessarily feel like a superhero project. “It’s as much a ‘True Detective’ and ‘Slow Horses’-style murder mystery as it is a superhero drama (and, in fact, features veterans of both shows among its creative team),” Schedeen said, referencing Chris Mundy’s previous involvement with the former. Schedeen thinks that’s a good thing, though: “But for those willing to abandon preconceived notions and take ‘Lanterns’ for what it is, this strange combination of superhero adventure and terrestrial murder mystery works surprisingly well.”

Cory Plante echoed this at Polygon, calling “Lanterns” “‘True Detective’ with superheroes.” Plante expanded on that, though:

“Most importantly, ‘Lanterns’ understands that friction between two people can be frustrating, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll lead to hatred. Hal and John don’t need to like each other to respect one another. They butt heads constantly. But their conflict never feels manufactured, and neither does the connection that keeps them together. Like Rust and Marty in ‘True Detective,’ they recognize that the annoying man sitting beside them in the car is who they want by their side when everything goes wrong.”

One critic really didn’t like it, though — Inverse‘s Lyvie Scott. “The series tries too hard to turn this story into something it’s not, and in the process, it pushes everything that makes it special just out of frame,” Scott writes. “It’s not that a grounded detective story couldn’t soar, given the circumstances — but without heart, or at least a sense of wonder, Lanterns is stuck on the ground.”

Decide for yourself. “Lanterns” is streaming on HBO Max now.