The Spirit

by DeAnn Welker December 25, 2008 11:17 AM
The Spirit

Maybe it's because I've never read the comics, but there aren't many things in the world that look worse to me than The Spirit does. I really don't think it's about me not reading the comics either, because it just looks like it has the most terrible dialogue in the history of film. (Yes, I'm saying this in a world with Keanu Reeves.) It's like this movie wants to be 300 and Sin City, but is failing miserably. Mainly because it's trying to be something else, and those movies were both so original and innovative.

Don't believe me? Watch the trailer. I dare you not to laugh -- even if you're a big fan of the comics. Because, seriously, we start with a scream, then we get a lot of noise and shadows but nothing we can make out, then a woman breathes, "What are you?" And then we just get an eye mask that looks like Robin. More shadows. And then helicopters in the snow. Oooh. How ominous! And then our titular hero, saying, "'What are you?' That's what the woman asked me." See, here's the thing: Trailers aren't that long, so you really shouldn't waste them repeating things twice. Anyway, the Spirit is all in black and white with a red tie. And then the lady's all black and white with a blue eye. For no reason whatsoever, other than to make this look more like Sin City than it deserves to. And he goes on: "Am I some sort of ghost? I still move. I still breathe. I'm still alive." Wow. How deep. And then we get sexy vixen-ish, comic book fetish types: Scarlett Johansson and Eva Mendes. And Samuel Jackson with some sort of streaking black tears running down his face. I think it's makeup (part of his supervillain costume). Then super, cartoonish, laughable fighting (nothing like the gore in Sin City or 300, of course). And Samuel Jackson's all, "I'm the Octopus. I got eight of everything." What? Seriously, view at your own risk. And if it's good, please let me know that I was wrong, because -- for the sake of the comics' fans -- I really do want to be. Oh, wait, the end of the trailer has the Spirit saying, "I'm gonna kill you all kinds of dead." That won me over. Except that it didn't.

Who the Hell is Spirit? We've got the rundown.

Reviews by People Who've Actually Seen It:
Variety
Rotten Tomatoes

TAGS:

9 Comments

December 26, 2008 2:38 AM
Carl
Reply

You left out the part where you say:

"Well, we all know people (meaning boys and men) that read comics wet their beds and hang out in LOOOOOSSSSSSSSERRRRRRRVILLLLLLLLLE", right folks?"

Jeez, four words: books+by+their+covers...

December 27, 2008 2:27 PM
Jo
Reply
replied to comment from Carl

eh, the review of movies we havent seen yet is kind of all about judging books by their covers, for humorous effect...

December 28, 2008 5:39 PM
Mal
Reply
replied to comment from Carl

People that read comics wet their beds? Really? OOh what a dis. People who read comics everywhere are crying right now. Except when it comes down to it those that read comics are probably ten times more mature than you because they embrace a medium that sometimes gets no respect but in reality is brilliant and has some of the most adult themes out there. Plus they get to experience the genius of people like Alan Moore and Will Eisner that you are missing out on because you are judging something you obviously don't understand.

December 29, 2008 4:53 AM
Ratgirlagogo
Reply

So - you're bothering to post a negative review of a movie you haven't bothered to see, based on an incredibly famous and well-regarded series of comics you've never bothered to read? Woooh. What a little cleverclogs you are.

January 15, 2009 6:10 PM
Luke
Reply

I saw this movie for the lulz. I'd have to agree with everything written above, but at least it was entertaining at the time.

February 5, 2009 10:48 AM
luludeppfan
Reply

I saw this movie because I loved Sin City and 300 so I had high hopes. Plus I never saw the previews so that was probably bad. It was horrible. Maybe it was supposed to be funny in it's awfulness and if that's the case, then it succeeded. But usually the actors looked like they were taking it SO serious!

February 6, 2009 11:51 AM
April Ortega
Reply

I understand the criticism but really, I don't think this movie is meant to be taken seriously. Aside from obvious visual inspiration from 300 and Sin City, I don't think it was trying to be like those movies. I saw it more as a very comic book-ish style movie that was meant to be funny in a very cheesy way. I actually found it hilarious and the characters over-the-top, in a good way.

January 7, 2010 11:40 AM
Hipolito M. Wiseman
Reply

For starters I didn't buy into all the hype... why, because I just recently heard about this movie. I didn't hear anything good or bad just that it existed. Well I enjoy "scary" movies so figured Id check it out.

January 7, 2010 11:42 AM
Carroll B. Merriman
Reply

Nothing at all was scary. I repeat NOTHING at all was scary! I was bored out of my mind 80% of the film. 19% I was angered at the idiot boyfriend or the retarded GF. Seriously, Someone here said that they reacted realistically to the situations. What is wrong with you! The woman acted as if she just wanted to ignore everything and hoped it went away... yet claimed it had been happening since she was 8. They guy on the other hand pretended he had the slightest clue as to what he was doing. "I GOT A PLAN" as he sprinkles baby powder on the floor... WTH did he think that was going to do... show him something/someone was there.. Hadnt that already been established by that point of the "film"? Where was the plan? He threatens the "ghost/demon" what ever the heck it was as if hes going to fight it... Really!? The only time the acting was good is... well never mind because it wasn't ever good. OK at best during the many arguments that took place in the film.

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