It ain't easy being green. Despite high expectations, "Green Lantern" did not perform as well as expected in its debut. Yes, the Ryan Reynolds superhero film was number one, and it did take in a little under $53 million at the box office. Apparently, that's bad, considering the film's $200 million budget -- which doesn't even include marketing.

People blame 3D or even the saturation of the superhero genre. However, it seems as though Hal Jordan found his true nemesis in movie critics. If a film isn't good, it isn't good. That seems to be the case here. "Green Lantern" is currently tracking 26 percent on film aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, which means that special effects and multiple Sexiest Man Alive titles just couldn't save this poor story.

Here is what Warner Bros. says:

"In a universe as vast as it is mysterious, an elite, powerful force has existed for centuries. Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps. Warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order, each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants him the ability to create anything his mind can imagine. But when a new enemy called Parallax threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds). Hal is a gifted and cocky test pilot, but the Green Lanterns have little respect for humans, who have never harnessed the infinite powers of the ring before. But Hal's humanity is one weapon no member of the Corps has ever had, and if -- with willpower, determination and the encouragement of fellow pilot and childhood sweetheart Carol Ferris (Blake Lively) -- Hal can quickly master his new powers and find the courage to overcome his fears, he may prove to be not only the key to defeating Parallax... he will save the Earth and all of mankind from certain destruction."

Here is what critics say:

"'In brightest day, in blackest night' and in dingiest 3-D, GREEN LANTERN arrives and it’s the dumbest superhero movie of the season. It took $300 million to bring director Martin Campbell's dud to the big screen and from its opening voice-over (Is that Alec Guinness back from the dead to narrate?) to its frequently laughable special-effects fight sequences, the film is wall-to-wall CGI cheese whiz." - James Verniere, Boston Herald

"GREEN LANTERN walks one even line, and it's a direct route to Dullsville. Even Ryan Reynolds, who is charming as all hell, is somehow reduced to vanilla. Maybe it's the terrible CGI spacesuit and doofus mask they make him wear. It's an astonishingly poor effect in a movie with otherwise excellent special effects wizardry. The only other screw-up is the Guardians of Oa. These guys are essentially malformed Smurfs, and for whatever reason, their faces look like they are made out of rubber when they talk. Oh, and the 3D is absolutely superfluous, too. Why is it that all of these 3D movies lead with a scene that uses the gimmick to its full potential, but then drop it for the rest of the flick?" - Jamie S. Rich, DVD Talk

"Flat FX, smirky acting, clunky writing and clueless direction. WTF?" - Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

[Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. & DC Comics]