Frank Miller is a literary genius.
Over the last four years the graphic novel/comic book industry has made the transition from paper medium to a film medium. Some movies have flopped in over stylized computer generated fashion, but a few have become masterpieces. At least if they don't try too many sequels, Spider-man.
Once again Miller is able to take a story made for the pages of a comic book and turn it into a pretty darn good movie. Before watching this movie I checked out a couple of reviews that claimed the characters were dull and static. Some even said that it was full of cheesey lines. That seems to be all that they were correct on. Some lines were dull and cheesey.
The actors were seemed to work well together and although seriously against the other's beliefs often times worked comedically together. Gabriel Macht was a bit unknown to me when I saw his name in the credits but others such as Sam Jackson and Eva Mendes are more mainstream actors but worked well in their roles. I was excited to see Jamie King as Death in the movie. She seems like she is Miller's go-to-gal now having been in Sin City (as Goldie) and the Spirit.
I have never read a copy of The Spirit as it was created and gained popularity in the 40s. I was not familiar with the characters nor the story going into the theater. Given Miller's tendency to exagerate his stories, i.e. 300, I'm sure the story told on screen is much different than that of Will Eisner's. The story he crafts however works extremely well and kept me entertained the whole way. Without spoiling anything The Spirit (Macht) is the mortal enemy of The Octopus (Jackson). Ol Eight legs wants the blood of Heracles as it will grant him immortality. Things are further complicated when a old flame Sand Seraph (Mendez) comes to town and joins in on the fun. There is plenty of backstory and the stylized visuals that Miller has become famous for make the presentation of the movie wonderfully remarkable.
As I said above I don't know how anyone that has previously reviewed this movie could give it such low scores (12 out of 100 on Rotten Tomatoes). I would easily give it a B+. Leaving the theater I wondered when I would watch it again. Mr. Miller sir, your movies have that effect on me, as soon as I've seen one I have to see it again and again. It was worth every penny.
Over the last four years the graphic novel/comic book industry has made the transition from paper medium to a film medium. Some movies have flopped in over stylized computer generated fashion, but a few have become masterpieces. At least if they don't try too many sequels, Spider-man.
Once again Miller is able to take a story made for the pages of a comic book and turn it into a pretty darn good movie. Before watching this movie I checked out a couple of reviews that claimed the characters were dull and static. Some even said that it was full of cheesey lines. That seems to be all that they were correct on. Some lines were dull and cheesey.
The actors were seemed to work well together and although seriously against the other's beliefs often times worked comedically together. Gabriel Macht was a bit unknown to me when I saw his name in the credits but others such as Sam Jackson and Eva Mendes are more mainstream actors but worked well in their roles. I was excited to see Jamie King as Death in the movie. She seems like she is Miller's go-to-gal now having been in Sin City (as Goldie) and the Spirit.
I have never read a copy of The Spirit as it was created and gained popularity in the 40s. I was not familiar with the characters nor the story going into the theater. Given Miller's tendency to exagerate his stories, i.e. 300, I'm sure the story told on screen is much different than that of Will Eisner's. The story he crafts however works extremely well and kept me entertained the whole way. Without spoiling anything The Spirit (Macht) is the mortal enemy of The Octopus (Jackson). Ol Eight legs wants the blood of Heracles as it will grant him immortality. Things are further complicated when a old flame Sand Seraph (Mendez) comes to town and joins in on the fun. There is plenty of backstory and the stylized visuals that Miller has become famous for make the presentation of the movie wonderfully remarkable.
As I said above I don't know how anyone that has previously reviewed this movie could give it such low scores (12 out of 100 on Rotten Tomatoes). I would easily give it a B+. Leaving the theater I wondered when I would watch it again. Mr. Miller sir, your movies have that effect on me, as soon as I've seen one I have to see it again and again. It was worth every penny.
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