Alright. I just seen The Spirit. Here be my 2 cents:
I HAVE READ MANY SPIRIT COMICS. Both Eisner and Cooke. So I have some history with the character. That being said: It wasn't bad. At all. In fact, dare I say, I kinda liked it.
Now, let's set the stage here. I wasn't happy about this project after learning Frank Miller was involved. But I had an open mind. After seeing some set pictures and the teaser trailer, I was pretty much against it. I loved Sin City (GNs and the movie) and I liked what I seen in the teaser trailer, but I was upset that it was a trailer for the Spirit. Where's the bright colors? The blue suit? The warm atmosphere? Why do we see the octopus's face? WHAT THE HELL?
As months set in I didn't really settle for it, but I got over it as a Fanboy. I'm a Spirit fan. This is a Spirit movie. Now let's get into the spirit(sorry bad pun). After reading TONS of negative reviews in these threads my expectations fell even lower then which they were. So I went into the theater today hoping to be surprised. And I was. I had a good time watching this film. It was mindless fun. And I think this is as close as Frank Miller will ever get to jumping out of his genre.
But I know everyone wants to hear the negatives because that how bloodthristy you bastards really are lol. The big thing is that "It looks like Sin City!". And it kinda does. The movie overall has color, but it's very desaturated and gives it a cold, almost soulless look. The shots the bugged me the most were the 'ol Miller cliche' of white silhouettes on black backgrounds. It looks cool, but it completely takes you out of the film because that's just not Spirit-y. Yeah, I just made a new word.
The mood isn't as dark and gritty as Sin City. Central City itself is not a terrible gritty low class place. In fact the movie doesn't really focus on it enough. Which I wish they would've done more. The city didn't feel like a character to me. Burton made Gotham feel like a character with his batman films, and I always felt that's how Central City should be portrayed in that aspect. But, to be fair, it did play a role.
The Spirit's narrations weren't as hard boiled and depressing ala Sin City. There were many parts in the film where the Spirit would talk directly to the audience which I thought was great. It reminded me how sometimes Eisner would start off an issue with The Spirit setting up the story. The Spirit himself was very likable. He was a good guy through and through. Macht did an excellent job and I think if this movie was what it is or something more Eisner, Macht would've been a great choice regardless.
As for the women, they did their part. The acting in this film overall was far from great, but Eva Mendes didn't suck as hard as I initially perceived. Scarlett was very fun and looked like she had a kick with the role. I had absolutely NO IDEA what Plaster of Paris was saying but she wasn't wearing much so that's ok. I couldn't get if the actress playing the rookie cop was supposed to act the way she did or was deaf and mentally deficient. Everytime she was onscreen it was almost cringeworthy. Papa and daughter Dolan were decent and served their purpose also. Sam Jackson as The Octopus in name only wasn't as bad as people made him out to be. I think I would've liked the charcater more if they just would've named him "Sam Jackson." The Octopus is barely like his comic book counterpart other then wearing gloves and is a criminal. But when he and Macht were both onscreen it was entertaining. And I thought the henchmen were pretty funny.
The movie had it awkward spots. The Samurai scene stands out the most. And the backstory with Sand Sareff could've been done without. I don't know why you always have to have the hero have a past with EVERYONE. The was also great underuse of the score (which was very good) and it made the scenes silent and awkward. The tone of the movie was like a see saw. At one point it would be funny and the next it would be dead serious. The Spirit does take punishment in the movie. Like in the comics, his "costume" is in constant distress. He doesn't appear onscreen for 10 seconds without it getting pierced with knives or bullets. The film could've had another action scene. I heard 2 movie goers say "It was boring" and "It was better then Sin City."
All in all I thought the movie was good but forgettable. But The Spirit deserves more. Turning up the saturation and throwing on a blue suit wouldn't make this film more respectful to the source material. But there are more traces of Eisner in this film then I thought. Miller's ego is in full gear here. He gives nods to books HE wrote, uses too much of his own style, and even gave himself a part in the film. The end credits are even shrouded with miller's storyboard illustrations even though it would've been a great idea to show Eisner's original Spirit. If anything, it more of a tribute to Frank Miller than Will Eisner. Because if it was a tribute to Will Eisner, the film would be much better. Miller's talent can't surpass Eisner's. And Eisner only attacked one medium.
In Conclusion, it was better then I thought it would be. I wasn't dissapointed since my expectations were already very low. Macht's Spirit is the true redeeming quality of this film. I would like a sequel to be honest, but it seems Hollywood would only think Miller could be capable of producing such drastic and original work. Maybe a reboot will be down the line someday?
Frank Miller's The Spirit-3/5
Capturing Eisner's Work-1.5/5
P.S.- There's at least 33 "Damns", and 5 "Bastard!"s
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