STARS: GABRIEL MACHT, SAMUEL L. JACKSON, SCARLETT JOHANSSON, EVA MENDES, DAN LAURIA, STANA KATIC, SARAH PAULSON, AND LOUIS LOMBARDI.
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY: FRANK MILLER.
BASED ON THE ORIGINAL COMIC STRIP CREATED BY WILL EISNER.
RATED: PG-13
RUN TIME: 102 MIN.
Sin City meets Batman (the campy 60’S TV series.) There’s even a reference to Robins ass in the film. First off let me tell ya that The Spirit doesn’t suck, as a matter of fact its pretty entertaining! A campy over the top (superhero origin film) that takes the superhero element and twists it into a uber dark-deco vs high tech tale of dead ladies man cop vs super campy mastermind (Unbreakable 2 on Acid).
Set in the same exact style of Sin City, the dark cinematography is stunning, as well as the awesome casting. The story sets out to tell the tale of Denny Colt, (Macht). He’s the “Spirit”, a cop that came back after being killed, and who now possesses “Wolverine” type healing powers. The entire film is narrated by the “Spirit” as we follow him (and his curious cat) along to Central Cities , Mud Flats. Its here that he meets up with “The Octopus” (Jackson). After this (awesome battle!!!), we find out that Octopus knows the secret of the Spirit’s healing abilities.
The Spirit also stumbles on a clue that links Sand Saref (Mendes), to the shooting of a cop. The film then goes into flashback mode, as we see Sand and Denny’s backstory as they grew up together in the slums of Central City. During the battle at Mud Flats, Sand and Octopus, pick up the wrong case and the film is basically based on this storyline as the Spirit is in pursuit of The Octopus and he’s in pursuit of Sand’s Box. (That didn’t sound right?)
Octopus wants the other box that contains the blood of Hercules. Something about making him immortal? Sand wants the Super Shiny thing that’s in the other box.
Meanwhile the origin of Spirit’s power is explained. Its an over the top film.
Gabriel Macht, was fricken awesome as “The Spirit”, where did this guy come from? Regardless of how you look at this film you have to give him props. He totally pulled this character off ! Samuel L. Jackson, (who I can’t stand and hate!) was amazing as “The Octopus!” He carried every scene (Ledger style), as the bad guy of the film. Sam Jackson really provided the camp flavor to the film that ultimately saves it from being a stiff comic version of Dick Tracy. His clone henchmen (Lombardi) are right out of Adam Wests, 60’s Batman tv series. Campy big time! I loved it, loved the entire film!
The film has the conclusion you can see coming from the first 20 minutes, yet its visuals and characters pull you in and force you to watch The Spirit.
Its too bad the marketing trailers totally sucked eggs on this film!
The Spirit was very over the top, I enjoyed it!!! High tech meets camp.