X
- 2008
- PG-13
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 43 m
- 2008
- PG-13
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 43 m
Summary The Spirit is the story of Denny Colt, a murdered cop who is mysteriously reborn as the masked crime fighter called the Spirit. Determined to keep his beloved Central City safe, the Spirit pursues Central City’s villains from the shadows and seeks to remove to the worst of them all: the psychotic megalomaniac known as the Octopus. Yet ...
Directed By: Frank Miller
Written By: Will Eisner, Frank Miller
- 2008
- PG-13
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 43 m
- 2008
- PG-13
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 43 m
The Spirit
30
8.3
Where to Watch
Summary The Spirit is the story of Denny Colt, a murdered cop who is mysteriously reborn as the masked crime fighter called the Spirit. Determined to keep his beloved Central City safe, the Spirit pursues Central City’s villains from the shadows and seeks to remove to the worst of them all: the psychotic megalomaniac known as the Octopus. Yet ...
Directed By: Frank Miller
Written By: Will Eisner, Frank Miller
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 24 Critic Reviews
30
8% Positive
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
29% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
63% Negative
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 24 Critic Reviews
30
8% Positive
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
29% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
63% Negative
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
Should make comic modern-day fanboys happy, what with its dark undertones, its beat-it-to-a-pulp action and its sly winks at comic greats past and present. Everyone else, including fans of Will Eisner's original Spirit, may find themselves wondering what all the fuss is about.
As the vamps, Eva Mendes and Scarlett Johansson might be posing for a fashion spread with just one note to play -- gorgeous high-bitch mockery.
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 219 User Ratings
8.3
79% Positive
172 Ratings
172 Ratings
6% Mixed
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
15% Negative
33 Ratings
33 Ratings
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 219 User Ratings
8.3
79% Positive
172 Ratings
172 Ratings
6% Mixed
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
15% Negative
33 Ratings
33 Ratings
The Spirit is a brilliant and hilarious GEM of a movie. One of the most underrated movies, it seems 50% of viewers and 80% of critics couldn't get into the humor and style of it. Proper respect to Frank Miller.
It's kind of miraculous to me that Frank Miller directed this in such a different style from his own.
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The Spirit wasn't a really good movie but its one hour running time delivers some mind bending fun. The Spirt's visuals were amazing, it's a comedy crime movie and its well done. The villain- Octopus had a wide verity of weapons and he is played by King Of Crime Samuel Jackson. Gabriel Macht was amazing as the spirit and Eva Mendes is one to watch. overall, the spirit is awesome. Despite its long running time and its horrible animation, it was fun. Frank Miller didn't think before making this film, which shows when you watch it but its crazy and too bloody for a PG-13 rated film because gore is depicted throughout the film. Movies like Frank Miller's Sin City were way better but there is something special about this film.
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Miller's flat, humorless yarn is set in Central City, a vacant metropolis whose only residents seem to be cops and crooks.
With its starkly contrasted visuals (fierce blacks, Clorox whites, a dash of unholy crimson), The Spirit may resemble a comic book more than any live-action film yet made, but it makes "Max Payne" look like a gleaming jewel of storytelling by comparison.
The fanboys will find room in their heart to forgive the desecration. Everyone else won't care at all.
The Spirit is mannered to the point of madness. There is not a trace of human emotion in it. To call the characters cardboard is to insult a useful packing material.
Throwing your $10.25 down a storm drain is a better idea; at least that way you won't feel the added self-loathing of wasting more than an hour and a half of your life watching Eva Mendes in the worst acting job of her career.
While it may not be the best super hero movie it's still one I can recommend, it travels of the normal path with it's weird sense of humor which isn't always good, but makes for a truly unique and enjoyable super hero movie.
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The movie attempted at making a new superhero - but it failed. It left no memorable moments other than Eva Mendes being chased around by a boy that liked her. It wasn't the worst, but it was disappointing to watch.
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Coming hot on the heels of the fantastic Sin City and 300 I went into The Spirit expecting something of similar quality, unfortunately I was left disappointed.
It's not all bad of course. As with Frank Millers other comic book adaptations The Spirit is beautifully shot using the same techniques employed in Sin City and with the likes of Eva Mendes, Scarlett Johansson and Stana Katic on show it certainly features one of the most attractive casts ever seen on the big screen. Gabriel Mecht is also entertaining in the title role making a refreshing change from the usual burdened superhero.
For every positive however there is a negative. Frank Miller's decision to direct the movie himself (his feature film debut) can be seen as mistake from the very start. Poorly paced throughout the film never quite decides what it is trying to achieve. One minute it wants to be a 'wacky' comedy the next it is trying to recreate the gritty film noir style of Sin City. It is just about possible to piece together a plot but the film does its best to stop you and as a result it is very difficult to become invested in what is going to happen to any of the characters (other than rookie cop Morgernstern, but thats only because she is played by the always fantastic Stana Katic).
The performances, even from well established actors such as Samuel L Jackson, are also incredibly uneven. Again the blame for this must lay at the feet of director Miller as the majority of the cast have proven their acting credentials on numerous occasions in other movies.
In the end while The Spirit may be a visual feast it is just too much of a mess to be thought of alongside the best comic book adaptations of recent years.
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The noir atmosphere is nice to look at, but a weak script stuffed with cheesy dialogue and prosaic characters, make this film a tragic misfire for the mastermind behind Sin City, Frank Miller.
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You got to be **** kidding me. What was Frank Miller thinking? Did really think if he used beautiful visuals over a screwed up story he could get like, what, a oscar? If he was, then man, he's thinking WRONG.
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Production Company
Lionsgate Films,
Dark Lot Entertainment,
Madison Wells,
BCD Travel,
Continental Entertainment Group (CEG)
Release Date Dec 25, 2008
Duration 1 h 43 m
Rating PG-13
Tagline Down these mean streets a man must come. A hero born, murdered, and born again.
Awards
Scream Awards
• 2 Nominations
ALMA Awards
• 1 Nomination
Golden Schmoes Awards
• 1 Nomination
