Three down, one to go.

    When last we visited, I had just seen “Thor,” the first of thissummer’s big four super hero movies.

    I’ve since caught “X-Men: First Class” and “Green Lantern” on thebig screen, although neither in 3-D. I can find many better usesfor that couple-a-bucks glasses rental fee.

    For me, next month’s release of “Captain America: The FirstAvenger” will decide whether this has been a summer of sizzle(outside temperatures notwithstanding, of course) or a summer ofjust so-so. I have to say I’m still a little leery at thispoint.

    You see, Cap is my all-time favorite hero and naturally I want themovie to be well done. I’ve met previous efforts, including onefrom several years ago that starred Matt Salinger and coming out onDVD July 19, with less than an enthusiastic response.

    Although I have concerns about Chris Evans, who played the HumanTorch in the Fantastic Four movie series, as the all-Americanavenger, I’m trying to keep an open mind. Time will tell.

    For now, I’m remembering my latest movie experiences in the superhero realm. One proved very memorable and the other prettyforgettable.

    While there were no action figures on the toy aisle or movie logosemblazoned on soda cans and it has received the least amount ofhype, “X-Men: First Class” is by far – so far – the best of whatI’ve seen.

    The movie, set primarily during the time of the Cuban MissileCrisis, tells the story of how the mutant super hero group formedand the struggles they encounter while trying to protect normalhumans who may fear or hate them. There’s sufficient actionthroughout and a cameo scene – with language that is perhaps notsuitable for younger ears – that is hilarious.

    Michael Fassbender, who plays Magneto, steals many a scene as hetracks down another mutant who was responsible for his mother’sdeath back in the concentration camps of Nazi Germany. Kevin Bacon,as the target of Magneto’s anger, lays on the smarm as thevillain.

    On the other hand, there’s “Green Lantern.”

    While the movie tries to be entertaining, the whole Green Lanternbackstory just gets in the way.

    Unlike, say, Spider-Man, whose origin can be told with “PeterParker bitten by radioactive spider, gets spider-like new powers,”the makers of “Green Lantern” felt compelled to tell a laundry listof historic notes about the Green Lantern Corps, the special ringsthey wear and other minutia.

    Add in some romance angst for our Green Lantern-to-be Hal Jordanand it is more than an hour of explanation before any real actionstarts to take place. Green Lantern fans already know the story andby this point, those who don’t are starting not to care.

    Even when the action begins, I can’t say it’s too compelling.

    The enemy is an entity called Parallax, a massive, shifting glob ofsomething that feeds off the yellow energy of fear. Green is theenergy of willpower, which is needed to fight fear.

    I understand, from talking with real Green Lantern fans, that thereare power rings for various feelings across the emotional spectrum.Perhaps the movie folks are saving all that for the sequel.

    But with all the explanation that would take, I really hope theyaren’t.

    That’s all for now.

    Write to Matthew Coleman at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven MS 39602,or send e-mail to mcoleman@dailyleader.com.