Eh, a couple weeks ago, I had some sort of interest seeing this in theaters. Sicne then, my interest has waned; I think I'll wait until DVD. Like Kazenji, I've heard nothing but bad things about this movie.
As much as i like the Spirit it's not a story i would like to see adapted into a movie. I also hate these types of movie's that are filmed almost entirely infront of a bluescreen. I hate the feeling that even though the movie i am watching spans across numerous locations i am left feeling as though i've never left the studio. Sky Captain and the world of tomorrow is the most guilty of this. That movie has some of the most nauseating effects i've ever seen. I only bring this up because The Spirit, like Sin City and 300 utilizes that same technique of filmmaking. Although, those movie's movies at least used several partial sets.
Even though this style has worked for Miller in his last two outings. At some point it just comes off as lazy to me. I really think that the Spirits art design is going to hurt the audience attraction. I know that the art direction has hurt the movie's appeal for myself and friends.
It also worries me that Frank Miller has taken full control behind the camera for this one as well as a heavy hand in the editing department. Of course, Miller knows best how the actors should act in order to bring his characters to life but leave the technical aspect to professionals. I'll definitely be seeing this movie, eventually, and im sure it will turn out fine but with another sin city on the way i am already feeling an over saturation of this style of filmmaking and art direction. Redundancy is going to hurt Mr Millers Film career if he isn't careful.
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Last edited by jinXed by JaNx on Dec 25th, 2008 at 02:54 PM
I saw The Spirit last night and honestly I think people are giving it a bad rap.
If you go into the movie with an open mind, you'll have alot of fun with it. One thing that Miller has definitly captured from the original comics is the fun.
Sure the scenery is dark and is very similar to Sin City, but thats just Frank Miller's style, and if you can get past that you'll find a good movie experience.
It's no Dark Knight, but it's definitely entertaining, and last I checked that was the main point of movies, to entertain.
Well it's definitely at the bottom of my list this year for superhero films tied with The Icredible Hulk. The movie isn't totally bad though. It's no Sin City or definitely no 300. It has it's scenes most notably Eva Mendes nude and SLJ in nazi suit. I say wait for the rental. I'd give it a 6/10.
While I was intially enthused about Miller doing this project - to honour his friend & mentor Will Eisner - I now feel the box office faliure is deserved. Miller has to show he can do more than Sin City-type filmmaking if he wants to have a future in movies. I wish he had gotten out of the digital backlot studio & shot this on location in Brooklyn or Manhattan.
I credit Miller for being much story realism to comics in the 1980's, but now he has gone too far out on a limb into impressionism & pulp; the medium is now articficial in his hands. Because in the same year, we see The Dark Knight set in as real a world as the one we're in, and it's a worldwide sensation.
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"I'm not smart so much as I am not dumb." - Harlan Ellison
I know its a bit late, but the Blu-Ray came out and I must say, one of the worst movies this year for me.
What was missing was Robert Rodriguez. The acting was bad, the characterization was bad and it was plain ridiculous. I understand they were going for that but with the art style, which cried out for a film noir atmosphere (aka Sin City), it came away as some crappy Dick Tracy remake. What I hate about movies is movies trying to be something that they are not.
Just awful, just awful. It sucked. Frank Miller should stick with comic books because even though its was his style, you still need to be able to direct actors, and be able to give pace to the movie.
He has lost it. And his defense against any criticism he gets is to say "I'm pushing boundaries, I don't expect critics to understand." Well, maybe box office failure + derision is something he can understand.
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"I'm not smart so much as I am not dumb." - Harlan Ellison
The funny thing is that he isnt pushing boundaries. Sin City pushed boundaries on the movie front and it was fantastic.
The reason?
Not Frank Miller directing it, but having a good director doing it like Robert Rodriguez.
This movie reminded me of Sin City and in a bad way. Kinda like, "I want to watch Sin City instead of this shit".
What turned me off was the first scence between the two characters. It was just awful. It tried to be campy, but the look of the movie did not compare well.
Speaking of declining careers... what is Sam Jackson doing? He is a terrific actor (great in Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, A Time to Kill etc.) but his choice in films of late has been woeful. I want to see him in great films which showcase his talents, not relying solely upon them. The man's just too good to be appearing in shit like The Spirit, the new Star Wars films, Snakes on a Plane, etc.
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i think that sam j is at the point in his career where he doesnt really care about furthering his career. hes got loads of money, loads of fame, loads of pretty much anything he wants. at this point i think he just wants to settle down and enjoy himself. And look at his roles, theyre fun. snakes on a plane? fun. the spirit? fun. star wars? jedi= fun.
look at john travolta. he did his share of movies, now hes a fat women in hair spray. actors like to just take it easy sometimes.
That's fair enough. Doesn't stop me being annoyed that his talent is completely wasted. And how could making Pulp Fiction not be fun. Tarantino had better write something for that guy ****ing soon!
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Dec 24th, 2008 07:04 AM
