The Spirit: Review By Raphael290

There is no questioning Frank Miller's talent as a comic book writer, having written two of the best Batman graphic novels around, written some of the best Daredevil comics, co-wrote one of the most important story arcs for Wolverine, and of course written his own creations like Sin City and 300. He was touted by film studios to write screenplays, but had his scripts for Robocop 2 and the Batman reboot rejected. But he finally got his chance in Hollywood when he co-wrote and co-direct the adaption for Sin City with Robert Rodriguez and produced 300. He got to stand on his own two feet, writing and directing the adaption of The Spirit.

Denny Colt (Gabriel Macht) is the Spirit, the protector of Central City. He was a former cop who died on duty, but somehow escaped the clutches of death. He cannot die and an injury he gets quickly heals. The Spirit works closely with the police, particularly the police chief (Dan Lauria). He is called into action against his nemesis the Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson). The Octopus is in the middle of a scheme with his trusted assistant Silken Floss (Scarlett Johansson) to receive an ancient Greek artifact. But The Octopus and The Spirit also have to content with with Sand Saref (Eva Mendes), Denny's childhood friend who had become a master jewel theft. It is up to the Spirit to stop them both.

Sadly this was a poor film from Frank Miller. This was one project too much for him at this point in his directional career. Normally good director start out with small projects and work their way up. But Miller jumps straight into the deep end. The Spirit is stylist, and does like a sequel to Sin City. It looks good, but that is the only thing in the film in it's favour. Miller writes a weak script full of continuity errors, which is surprising considering how talented he was in the world of comics. Miller also directs a very camp affair which is annoying for the most part, the names and scenes in the broker's office and with Plaster of Paris (Paz Vega). And yet they are moments which are deadly serious, with the neo-noir style voice-over like in Sin City. The two don't mix well. Miller attempts to fill the film with moments of humour: but most are not particularly funny. The best moments of humour come from Louis Lombardi who plays a number of dim-witted clones, but all that was like a brief moment in Sin City when one of Manute's henchmen was shot in the chest with an arrow. It worked better as a brief scene.

Most of the acting was terrible. Gabriel Macht tries but his talent was sadly limited. Samuel L. Jackson just played his role as over-the-top as possible, and well he at least seem to have fun whilst filming. Eva Mendes and Seychelle Gabriel were both weak playing the same character, which is said, and example of the campness of the film. Scarlett Johansson was just sleepwalking through this film, doing this until a better offer comes along. Stana Katic who played a rookie cop was particularly awful throughout the film, and Dan Lauria was playing a simple clichéd character. The only actor who comes out the film with any credit was Louis Lombardi as the comic relief.

This film is not worth it, even if you are a die hard Frank Miller fan. He needs to write the sequel to Sin City and work with more experience directors like Robert Rodriguez and Zack Snyder before directing a solo project again.