Green Arrow (film)

***Green Arrow*** is a 2002 American superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The film was directed by Christopher Nolan and written by Marc Guggenheim & Andrew Kreisberg, starring Jeremy Renner. *Green Arrow* was released on June 21, 2002 and grossed $320.7 million based on a $150 million budget, and received very positive reviews, with praise for its acting, plot, and respect to the source material, though some criticized the action sequences.

## Plot

Billionaire playboy Oliver Queen and his rich businessman father Robert board their yacht, with Oliver bringing on a girl, Sara. However, due to the storms, the ship capsizes and the crash kills Sara. Robert and Oliver make it onto an escape raft but Robert, knowing there aren't enough rations for both of them, kills himself and tells Oliver to survive.

Five years later, Oliver has made a home on the island of Lian Yu near China. Fishermen finally find him and he is returned to his home of Starling City. His mother Moira and sister Thea are overjoyed to see him, but it is revealed that Oliver was dating Laurel Lance before the crash, and that Sara was her sister, causing a strain in their relationship. Laurel and Sara's father Quentin also holds a grudge against Oliver. Oliver reunites with his best friend Tommy, but while downtown they are kidnapped. Oliver uses skills he learned while on the island to escape and get Tommy to rescue while he is unconscious. Because of this incident, Moira hires bodyguard John Diggle to follow Oliver around. Oliver is also revealed to have a book that belonged to his father that contains the names of corrupt businessmen living in Starling. Oliver creates a hooded costume and begins bringing the criminals to justice. Diggle becomes suspicious of Oliver's activities, and he is forced to reveal his identity.

Lance, a detective in the Starling City Police Department, leads a manhunt searching for "The Hood". A technician in Queen Consolidated, Felicity Smoak, begins unknowingly helping the Hood by helping Oliver. Eventually, he brings her in on his quest. Tommy's father Malcolm, C.E.O. of Merlyn Global plots the destruction of the Glades, a rundown section of Starling, due to its connection to his wife's murder. Moira supplies him with the technology he needs. Merlyn also begins operating as the Dark Archer in an attempt to frame the Hood for vicious crimes. Oliver manages to clear the Hood's name and hunts the Dark Archer. Laurel becomes a confident to the Hood, not knowing his identity, though this makes Lance angry when he finds out. Oliver also manages to repair his relationship with Laurel.

Merlyn begins his endgame, though Moira has second thoughts, especially when Thea begins dating Roy Harper, who lives in the Glades. Oliver realizes Merlyn is plotting something and that Moira is likely working with him, so he sets up their kidnapping with Diggle acting as the Hood, and Moira reveals Merlyn's plan. Oliver breaks into Merlyn Global and reconciling his relationship with Laurel and fights Malcolm, who discovers his secret identity. Malcolm kidnaps Oliver. Diggle and Felicity go to the Glades to stop the explosive device from going off and run into Quentin, forcing them to reveal their allegiance with the Hood. Quentin reluctantly helps them to save the Glades. Oliver escapes and talks to Moira about her involvement before leaving, causing her to hold a press conference revealing Merlyn's plan. Her warning allows many citizens to evacuate the Glades, and Roy helps get them out. Felicity and Quentin dismantle the device, while Oliver and Diggle find Merlyn and fight, with Oliver killing Merlyn, who reveals there is a second device.

The explosion begins leveling half of the Glades and traps Laurel in her office. Tommy goes in to rescue her, but becomes trapped. Oliver finds him but cannot get him out in time, so he reveals his identity and says goodbye, after lying to Tommy that he did not kill his father. Laurel is devastated by Tommy's death. Moira is arrested for her association with the explosion, while Oliver feels guilty and burns his Hood costume before leaving Starling City.

## Cast

* Jeremy Renner as Oliver Queen/The Hood
* Reese Withersppon as Laurel Lance
* Laurence Fishburne as John Diggle
* Denis Leary as Malcolm Merlyn/Dark Archer
* Ben Affleck as Tommy Merlyn
* Bryce Dallas Howard as Felicity Smoak
* Natalie Portman as Thea Queen
* Josh Hartnett as Roy Harper
* Bonnie Bedelia as Moira Queen
* Hugh Laurie as Quentin Lance

## Reception

### **Box office**

*Green Arrow* grossed $105.3 million in the United States and Canada, and $215.4 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $320.7 million.

### **Critical reception**

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an 86% based on 182 reviews. The critical consensus reads "Over the course of the film, *Green Arrow* morphs from a competent superhero spectacular to something special."