Too much comic book, not enough movie

[PyroChamber]

Do you think a comic book movie is doomed when the people making it (director, actors, and all) think of it too much as being a comic book instead of a legitimate film? Yes, it's based on a comic book (characters and storylines) but you don't want to make it too much like the comic book, meaning don't make it too light.

I saw the special features DVD of Batman & Robin and everyone kept saying that they felt that they could go over the top because they were "making a comic book".

 

[TheDemon'sHead]

And look at how Batman & Robin turned out...

But at the same time, Batman & Robin taught Hollywood a lesson. And that was: take the material serious and you can have a movie that draws in not only the fanboys but also the vast majority of moviegoers.

Superman, Batman Begins, X-Men, Spider-man all root the characters in the real world as well as treat the material with respect. They essentially get the gist of what makes the comics so great and that's the characterization and action and are able to combine the two to make an entertaining movie.

This isn't the only reason but a big chunk of it.

 

[Paste Pot Pete]

It's all about balance. You don't want to lose the comic book, either.

You have to take it on a case by case basis.

Something like Sin City worked because it needed to retain that over-the-top pulp nature of the comic. It wouldn't have worked as well as a grounded, "real world" film.

Some argue that Batman Begins was too much in the other direction, too little comic influence. I don't agree, because it seemed like Nolan was trying (and will continue in the sequels) to bridge that gap between real world and comic book world. The world of Batman works best when it looks and feels like our world, but with outlandish characters like the Joker running around, disrupting that normalcy.

I think Raimi has struck the best and most necessary balance in his Spider-Man films. The characters are human, the world IS New York (both so essential) but at the same time the action is light and exciting and very "comic-booky."

 

[co2]

I think Raimi has struck the best and most necessary balance in his Spider-Man films. The characters are human, the world IS New York (both so essential) but at the same time the action is light and exciting and very "comic-booky."

I agree. The Spidey films are dramatic enough to make you really care for the characters, but a lot of fun at the same time. But then, Spidey comics were like that too, so maybe he is just staying true to the spirit of the source too.

 

[TheDemon'sHead]

Something like Sin City worked because it needed to retain that over-the-top pulp nature of the comic. It wouldn't have worked as well as a grounded, "real world" film.

I disagree here. I thought Sin City's biggest problem was sticking too much to the comic book. Rodriquez didn't inject enough life into it and I felt that the movie felt flat and rigid. Or maybe I just don't really like Frank Miller's stuff.

Some argue that Batman Begins was too much in the other direction, too little comic influence. I don't agree, because it seemed like Nolan was trying (and will continue in the sequels) to bridge that gap between real world and comic book world. The world of Batman works best when it looks and feels like our world, but with outlandish characters like the Joker running around, disrupting that normalcy.

I have to disagree again. For as good as it is, Nolan seemed to forget that it's a comic book movie and forgot to add the fun and excitement to it. I really liked the movie but I felt it didn't capture the spirit of the comics like Spider-man did.

I think Raimi has struck the best and most necessary balance in his Spider-Man films. The characters are human, the world IS New York (both so essential) but at the same time the action is light and exciting and very "comic-booky."

I whole heartily agree. Watching Spidey swing through the city feels so right.

 

[Storm22]

I think the X-Men movies got the grounded in reality feel and "movie" element of comic book movies spot on.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

The very idea of turning a comic into a movie is flawed.

What filmakers need to do is seperate the story and the characters from the medium. Take the story of Batman, and make a film about that. Imagine, as Nolan did, Batman was created for a film.