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What the fuck?
by Thrillho77
Jul 14th, 2008
10:11:57 PM
This is the first time where I've literally not been able to tell whether what I just saw was was complete shit or really good.
LOOKS HORRIBLE
by tip
Jul 14th, 2008
10:14:06 PM
It's the Robocop sequels all over again.
That Preview looked terrible.
by #1 Zero
Jul 14th, 2008
10:16:12 PM
I don't know what to make of it. The actresses were barely recognizable and alot of it just seemed absurd. Usually it takes a director a looong time to be given free reign over a movie and do shit that seems only would appeal to his own sensibilities. So I don't know how Frank Miller got to do all this shit in his movie, considering he's only co directed one movie, Sin City, and it looks like that style is all he knows how to do now. I can only hope I'd be pleasantly surprised by this.
Looks all right
by mefrog
Jul 14th, 2008
10:16:16 PM
I mean... I'll see it if the word is good, but right now I'm holding back.
Um... worst trailer ever?
by Laserhead
Jul 14th, 2008
10:17:19 PM
That looked more godawful on every level than I'd ever have imagined. No love for this shit.
Thrillho77
by Laserhead
Jul 14th, 2008
10:18:16 PM
That would be 'complete shit.'
Sam Jackson is one of the only actors that can deliver Frank's d
by Speed Fricassee
Jul 14th, 2008
10:19:40 PM
Might be OK. I liked the music.
Wow
by kungfuhustler84
Jul 14th, 2008
10:20:53 PM
I am intrigued, but not really excited.
Holy shit.
by Galva
Jul 14th, 2008
10:21:43 PM
That is some crazy-ass shit. I've no hope it'll be like the comic, but it's weird and crazy enough that I've got to see it regardless.
Talk about OVER THE FUCKING TOP!
by The Guy Who Slept Through Everything.
Jul 14th, 2008
10:21:46 PM
I might have to see this while tripping balls, and it looks god damn terrible. WOW, also I guarantee you Frank Miller didn't direct one fucking second of SIN CITY. Guaranteed.
STFU and give me Sin City 2
by MasterBateman
Jul 14th, 2008
10:22:43 PM
Since Rodriguez finally broke up with McGowan, he can go back to making real movies and not vehicles for that wonky bitch. So... Sin City 2, please.
Still loading..
by Aeghast
Jul 14th, 2008
10:24:27 PM
..man that site is slow
What the fuck was that?
by SirLoin
Jul 14th, 2008
10:26:24 PM
It starts off like a Maxim cover shoot and then goes batshit insane with Sam in all sorts of crazy outfits.
Looks really really bad...
by Bones
Jul 14th, 2008
10:29:26 PM
This is one I can wait for HBO for...
hmmmm...
by DigitalBeachWar
Jul 14th, 2008
10:30:42 PM
i still find it weird that his city is his all in one... mother and lover. interesting
Im glad this will fail.
by Redfive!
Jul 14th, 2008
10:31:59 PM
Frank Miller got a HUGE head with the success of both 300 and Sin City and is selling out BIGTIME.
PS
by DigitalBeachWar
Jul 14th, 2008
10:33:37 PM
the music was a really poor choice... really awful.
Laserhead
by Thrillho77
Jul 14th, 2008
10:33:38 PM
That's definitely the side I'm leaning to. XD
That was boring...
by Harold-Sherbort
Jul 14th, 2008
10:34:07 PM
which is worse than complete shit.
Hilarious!
by Mockingbuddha
Jul 14th, 2008
10:34:32 PM
I think it was insane, which is kind of refreshing. Frank Miller has obviously reached a deal where he can do whatever the hell he wants. It may not all be to my sensibilities, but It's like Bill Hicks, don't have to agree, but you still gotta be impressed at that fuck you attitude to the whole world. I will watch this with popcorn and anticipate screaming, "No Way!" at least once in the movie, then I'll have gotten my moneys worth.
Okay, I've decided
by Thrillho77
Jul 14th, 2008
10:35:25 PM
If I have to consider whether I think it is "complete shit" - it's probably shit. Definitely will wait for reviews...and they'll probably need to be golden. They won't be.
It's a comedy?
by g-ride9000
Jul 14th, 2008
10:36:03 PM
i think?
Will Eisner my ass.....
by Circean6
Jul 14th, 2008
10:36:59 PM
I find it really, really strange that Miller has been at the forefront of screaming "creator's rights" for years in the comic book industry and yet is taking its only universally revered property and putting it through a cinematic meat grinder set on his own "Sin City". His intentions may be good, but nobody can ever convince me that this is something Eisner would have approved of. On the mildly humorous side though this will probably entice whoever owns the Sam Jones Spirit TV-movie from the 80's to release it on DVD which should be good for a laugh..
so he's a gigalo?
by BurgerKing
Jul 14th, 2008
10:37:03 PM
I don't get the concept I thought he came back from the dead to be a detective or something? This trailer just makes it seem like a stylized porn.

I do dig the visuals, not as much as Sin City though, they feel a bit forced here, but the trailer just seems a bit awkward, also Sam Jackson is just ridiculously out of place here.

While I like things that are visually unique, this almost looks like someone took a creative diarrhea all over the screen, it's just.....everywhere. Probably won't end up being a good thing.

While I'm not sold on it, it is definitely much more promising and at least unique than 90% of the other generic bullshit being pumped into theatres.

Hmmm......
by aportee
Jul 14th, 2008
10:37:49 PM
Yeah, looks like a sin city rip off but it seems like it has enough interesting things going on to make me go and see it. Btw...The DARK KNIGHT IN 4 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't know
by TVguy4566
Jul 14th, 2008
10:42:44 PM
Never read The Spirit ever so not exactly versed on it, but I ain't impressed yet.
Let's all take acid and go together!!!
by kungfuhustler84
Jul 14th, 2008
10:48:06 PM
Wow...did that ever suck!
by Jobacca
Jul 14th, 2008
10:48:36 PM
Looks nothing like any version of The Spirit I've ever seen. Why couldnt we have gotten an animated Direct to DVD version based on Darwyn Cookes artwork? I think Sin City broke Frank Millers brain...everything he writes now sounds the same. Expect the Spirit to refer to himself as The Goddamn Spirit and expect Sam Jackson to say MotherFucker a lot....and I mean A LOT!!!!
BurgerKing
by Thrillho77
Jul 14th, 2008
10:49:01 PM
"This trailer just makes it seem like a stylized porn."

I think you've discovered the only way to save this movie...

Finally got to see it..!
by Aeghast
Jul 14th, 2008
10:50:16 PM
Over the top, indeed! Feel like listening some Motörhead now.. yeah, that was random
Worst trailer ever!
by Underdogthe3rd
Jul 14th, 2008
10:51:45 PM
Common, what a piece of crap.
the women look hot
by kafka07
Jul 14th, 2008
10:52:32 PM
but the movie looks shit.
I completely agree with Thrillho77...
by The-Duke-of-New-York
Jul 14th, 2008
10:55:44 PM
I have no idea if that was utter genius or complete shit. Scarlet is certainly mind-bendingly hot with glasses. I actually really liked all the parts with Sam Jackson. They were so over-the-top, but still cool. I imagine this is going to be the first true live action comic book. The way the background shifts when Octopus pulls his sword out, Octopus firing the giant guns, the convenient framing to prevent nudity, and especially the outfits. My main problem is that Denny Colt became a whore in the translation from page to screen. I don't know if Miller has the chops to make that aspect work.
Sorry to dissent guys, but that was awesome. .
by krullboyisback
Jul 14th, 2008
10:56:29 PM
in a Kill Bill on meth sort of way, or a drunk while watching "Trainspotting" way. Anyone know what that music is BTW? And sorry to revert back to 300, but I still think the initial trailer for 300 was one of the best trailers ever. Made me ready to kick Persian ass
jesus....
by Ace of Knaves
Jul 14th, 2008
10:58:18 PM
frank iller is so obsessed with nazi imagery he will a black man in an ss uniform. what a goddamned freak. looks interesting though, like it could be faithful to the source in some key ways, but a whole new f'd up direction in most others, poor selection of clips im guessing. id like to see a more action/heroics oriented trailer...
this things loading slower than lohans thought process
by mmaddox3
Jul 14th, 2008
10:58:24 PM
but wow seems like a lot of hate thus far... i havnt understood the choice of miller as a director.
It's an unfortunate thing...
by Lord John Whorfin
Jul 14th, 2008
11:00:33 PM
that Will Eisner's name appears in the trailer. I really don't see any Eisner here. This is Frank Miller's The Spirit, make no mistake. I suppose if this movie wasn't based on Eisner's The Spirit, I'd most likely cut it some slack, but that ain't happening. So, is the Octopus going to live at the end and rip off his mask off-screen, so despite seeing Jackson's face for the whole film, we won't really have seen the Octopus' face? I also don't think the actress who plays Ellen Dolan is hot enough.
THAT WAS BAD!
by salamimansam
Jul 14th, 2008
11:08:29 PM
As in, bad-ass. Well, if you are tripped out on opiates at least. Anyhow, let's watch in awe as all the talkbackers become Will Eisner experts and start whining about staying true to the spirit of the Spirit. The comic was mostly light and charming, and often straight goofy. Let's see if Miller can do 'charming'. Loved the three-year-old eurotrash pop music too.
Salamimansam, what is that song?
by krullboyisback
Jul 14th, 2008
11:13:06 PM
Is that Trent Reznor? Anyone know?
Oh My God!. . . .
by Darth_Kaos
Jul 14th, 2008
11:15:06 PM
That look horrible!

I'm not a big fan of Millers, but I was willing to give this one a chance, till I saw that piece of shit trailer. Now, maybe it was just cut wrong or something, but if that's indication of the rest of the movie, it's going to suck and suck bad!
So it loaded, im not digging it.
by mmaddox3
Jul 14th, 2008
11:15:28 PM
This doesnt feel like the spirit should feel, this feels like frank miller's bastardized version of the spirit. some of it has the right vibe, but the stuff with jackson looks stupid as hell. the chicks look hot as hell...but it doesnt take talent to make hot chicks look hot. Is it just me or has jackson kind of become a parody? i cant take him seriously in anything anymore, the very sight of him is so damn distracting.
WHERE THE FUCK IS SIN CITY 2?!?!?!
by LaserPants
Jul 14th, 2008
11:17:20 PM
Nobody gives a flying fuck about THE SPIRIT, Frank. Lay off the coke and hookers, and give Rodriquez a call. You know, the guy who made you a household name? Who enabled you to be in the position you are in now? Yeah, him. Thanks, Frank.
Will be great stoned and with buddies.
by Stormwatcher
Jul 14th, 2008
11:18:48 PM
yup
Any ideas what Miller's "300" sequel/prequel will be
by krullboyisback
Jul 14th, 2008
11:20:47 PM
BOMB with a capital B
by congobananas
Jul 14th, 2008
11:23:35 PM
boooomb! this looks just awful. Sin City was negligible, but this is over the cliff.
So make Sin City 2, Frank, leave Eisner out of this!
by LP421
Jul 14th, 2008
11:25:02 PM
The Spirit's mask looks stupid. You're not supposed to see The Octopus's face. They slapped some whiny alterna music on it. This isn't The Spirit. This is Frank Miller biding his time til Sin City 2 comes along and putting his style somewhere it doesn't belong. You wouldn't exist without Eisner, don't forget that, and don't pretend you can improve him by just making it all tits and cynicism.
Why is it, again, we are supposed to like anything Frank Miller'
by idonotseekabanning
Jul 14th, 2008
11:27:14 PM
At least I got chicken.

All right. I suppose he gets some credit for the Robocop 2 script. That shit's gotta be one of the top two or three Robocop sequels ever made!

s ever written?
by idonotseekabanning
Jul 14th, 2008
11:28:57 PM
Those bastards cut me off, Maw!
krullboyisback - the song is
by DesignedToDefy
Jul 14th, 2008
11:29:21 PM
The name of the song is "Choke" by the group Hybrid from the album I Choose Noise. Highly recommended, along with their other albums Wide Angle and Morning Sci-Fi. Cheers!
This isn't Eisner's Spirit...not even by a stretch
by Shub-Wankalot
Jul 14th, 2008
11:30:11 PM
DesignedToDefy, thank you very much!
by krullboyisback
Jul 14th, 2008
11:33:08 PM
I will have to check it out!
Wow
by flickchick85
Jul 14th, 2008
11:35:11 PM
I wasn't expecting much from this to begin with, but that was especially bad. I'm not kidding when I say I hope this bombs so that Gabriel Macht can stay under-the-radar enough to be cast as Captain America without cries of "but he's already The Spirit!" He was SO cast as the wrong comic book hero.
I Liked The Ridiculous Dialogue...
by TroutMaskReplicant
Jul 14th, 2008
11:36:24 PM
But why call it The Spirit? It seems like Miller just wanted an old fashioned Superhero with lots of women in his life and a crazy as fuck villain. He could have written that himself. I suppose Spirit In Name Only comes to mind...
DesignedTo Defy, that album is pretty bad ass
by krullboyisback
Jul 14th, 2008
11:39:10 PM
found some great samples online. . .guess I know who I am going to download now, thanks again for the tip!!!
More like a good terrible than a Meet the Spartans terrible
by Guy Who Got A Headache And Accidentally Saves The World
Jul 14th, 2008
11:39:49 PM
Many laughs will Kurt Russell have this day
kinda liked it
by The InSneider
Jul 14th, 2008
11:48:52 PM
i am also not sold on this one and the first trailer struck me as sorta ridiculous but this one actually piqued my interest. i like the femme-angle. it seems kinda interesting. of course, looks can be deceiving. i thought 300 was gonna be the shit but it turned out to suck. yea, i said it.
that sucked
by frankenfickle
Jul 14th, 2008
11:54:57 PM
but i just went and bought that trailer music from itunes. maybe it's really a marketing campaign for hybrid.
To Quote Adam Sessler from X-Play...
by Sidepocket
Jul 14th, 2008
11:55:38 PM
What the fuck am I looking at!?! *face palm*
See, He Can Do Anything He Wants With THE SPIRIT
by LaserPants
Jul 14th, 2008
11:58:50 PM
Because nobody outside of comic geekdom knows who he is and nobody cares. Of course, that being the case, NOBODY is going to see this. You thought SPEED RACER bombed? This is going to make SPEED RACER look like STAR WARS did in 1977. (Btw, I'm not bagging SPEED RACER, I actually loved the movie, but it did bomb really bad.) This may very well end Miller's Hollywood career before it really even gets going. Too bad, Frank. I told you what too much cocaine does to ones decision making faculties didn't I?
SIN CITY Was Fuckin' Great!
by LaserPants
Jul 14th, 2008
11:59:50 PM
But this does look like shit.
Where's the blackface sidekick?
by David Cloverfield
Jul 15th, 2008
12:03:53 AM
"Yessir mister spirit sir" is the only thing I know about the comic book. so this trailer doesn't offend me. Apeshit crazy Frank Miller. Wouldn't have it any other way.
Holy shit, that sucked.
by Holeman
Jul 15th, 2008
12:07:06 AM
Seriously, I've been all positive about this flick so far, but that was possibly the worst fucking trailer I've ever seen in my life. Is he trying to lower our expectations? Is he making a comic book version of a fucking Depeche Mode video? Is he that desperate to prove how much he really hates comic book fans? What is it? AND WHY THE FUCK IS THE OCTOPUS IN A FUCKING NAZI SUIT?!?!?!? Aside from the fact that has fuck all to do with the character, I'm not sure it's occurred to Frank Miller, but Sam Jackson IS BLACK! WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK?
good for Film School Rejects!
by BadMrWonka
Jul 15th, 2008
12:07:48 AM
am I the only one happy for them to get a huge scoop? they're cool dudes.

if you read this, dudes, well played. hope to see more of you to come. next stop? make a wikipedia page for yourselves....get a friend to make it!

@ krullboyisback
by DesignedToDefy
Jul 15th, 2008
12:12:22 AM
Glad to be of service. Hybrid has had me hooked since their first album debuted in 2000. All their artist albums are definitely worth checking out (and their live show isn't half bad either if they're ever in your neck of the woods). Cheers!
MMMMMMMMMMMMM yea
by mr_l_74
Jul 15th, 2008
12:19:51 AM
anybody saying that they should have comic book writers do comic book movies now what you say ?? As for the trailer I have no clue if going be good or bad
The Spirit? More like the Sin City Sprite.
by Autobot Optimus Prime
Jul 15th, 2008
12:20:22 AM
This seriously looks like crap. While I did like Sin City AS Sin City, I don't like to see Sin City style dumped onto someone elses ideas that don't fit at all. This trailer not only did not draw me to the movie, it pushed me away that much more. I think the people who are going to bother to wait for DVD, shouldn't have too much of a wait.
where is eisner's "the spirit"
by JimmyJoe RedSky
Jul 15th, 2008
12:23:26 AM
that didnt look like it at all - that looked very hip, modern and abstract - and i didnt care for the modern pop song that accompanied it - wheres the jazzy film noirish score that i hear in my head while reading spirit comics - this may turn out to be good, but it sure as hell aint what i expected - interesting that when someone makes a movie based on a miller comic it looks just like the comic down to each panel - but here miller makes a movie based on eisner's signature work and it doesnt look anything like classic spirit - maybe i just need to see more of it
Frank Millar has been Screwed Up For Years!
by Sidepocket
Jul 15th, 2008
12:23:29 AM
Seriously. Has anyone read that Batman movie script he wrote? All I can say is THANK GOD FOR NOLAN! Oh, and he also said The Spirit would be in color and not black & white. If so, why is everything desaturated as fuck? I remember the Spirit having amazing coloring like Dick Tracy. WTF happened?
Its everything I wished Sin City was..
by Joey17
Jul 15th, 2008
12:28:24 AM
Style wise anyway... That trailer definitely suffered from crap music (whereas sin city's trailer kicked ass because of The Servant 'Cells' riff). It doesnt look that bad, all you fuckwits on here agree with everything you read. Get your own opinions for once.
I loved Sin City and 300....
by Hugh G Rekshun
Jul 15th, 2008
12:29:13 AM
...but this shit looks too fucking wierd. There's not enough beer/pot/coke/crack on the planet to make this watchable.
Joey17
by Sidepocket
Jul 15th, 2008
12:39:47 AM
I have my opinion and it goes like this: This trailer sucks and you should go back to playing your tinker toys because I plan to have another round in the sack with your Mom. How is that for an opinion? :D
UMM WHO EDITED THIS TRAILER? MAXIM? MTV?
by DURANGO66
Jul 15th, 2008
12:41:42 AM
WTF MAN I AM TE BIGGEST FRANK MILLER FAN BUT WTF! I WILL SEE IT OF COURSE BUT WTF! I WILL SEE IT ON SHROOMS...
Poor Will Eisner
by DarthBakpao
Jul 15th, 2008
12:44:38 AM
Eisner is rolling in his grave now. TSINO!! TSINO!!
just take Will Eisner's name off
by Larry of Arabia
Jul 15th, 2008
12:48:38 AM
I'm not seeing any Eisner in this anywhere.
laserpants i think you hit the nail on the head
by Ace of Knaves
Jul 15th, 2008
12:49:11 AM
with the coke reference. thats exactly what i was picturing. franks gone totally hollywood and is in that state of self obsessed self absorbed delusion that only my dear friend cocaine can provide. this totally looks like the product of coke crazed creativity , all flash and cool, with the creator convinced that it is pure spun gold, even when it may be dreck. i still think it looks thoroughly interesting however. but yes i am pissed it is nearly unrecognizable as will eisner's spirit. frank when and did what i was always tring to assure othe rgeeks he wouldnt from the day he was attached to the project. i should have ditched those sentiments long ago though when that frank-draen teaser poster came out and it was pretty much dwight mccarthy with a fedora and domino mask. id stay away from cons for the next few years if i were him. some folks'll be after his blood.
Joey17
by F-1000
Jul 15th, 2008
12:59:05 AM
The trend in AICN talkbacks during the pre-release trailer stage of a film is to talk each other into anticipating and being interested in the film. TBers don't start the verbal ladder match to see who can best pick apart and disown the film which was "best EVAR" by consensus, maybe mere weeks ago, until the movie has actually been released.

That being said, this Spirit is an (That's right IS, not IS GOING TO BE) UTTER piece of shit. However, I eagerly await its release on DVD because there will be all kinds of drinking games built around this movie. On top of that I'm positive we can count on it for horrible dialogue. There will be guides created outlining the types of controlled substances suggested to trip on in preparation to watch The Spirit when this movie comes out on DVD. This is going to be a shitty cult movie of epic proportions. And hopefully it will bar Frank Miller from writing or directing a property that is not his ad infinitum.

Yikes, part deux
by FatherMcGruderKicksAssForTheLord
Jul 15th, 2008
01:02:02 AM
Saw the first trailer ahead of The Hulk and thought 'WTF?', and this ain't changing that impression.

The whole shit & kaboodle just looks like Frank attempting to port over the visual style of Sin City jux'd with (loose interpretations of) Eisner's characters.

Or, to put it another way, the visual equivalent of comic book madlibs having an extacy-fueled anal fisting orgy that takes place (and only makes sense) in Frank Miller's head.

Yes.

bacci40
by JimmyJoe RedSky
Jul 15th, 2008
01:15:57 AM
youre right - keep the fans happy - favreau did it with iron man - and it paid off big time - del toro did it with hellboy - nolan with batman - snyder with 300 - maybe this is the studio's doing and not miller's - maybe he was pressured into making a "sin city"-looking movie
How old
by Series7
Jul 15th, 2008
01:17:37 AM
Is this comic?
Larry of Arabia
by krushjudgement
Jul 15th, 2008
01:20:50 AM
No shit man.
Ok its from the 40's
by Series7
Jul 15th, 2008
01:22:56 AM
Not a Spirit expert,
by Logan-X
Jul 15th, 2008
01:25:28 AM
but, from what I've read about the character and knowing Frank Miller's later period work, it's obvious that The Octopus will be revealed to be Ebony White returned for revenge on his former hero/partner. (See: The Dark Knight Strikes Again). Perhaps the real, unseen, Octopus will be alluded to/shown at the end of the film. Just a theory. Aside from the hot chicks, that trailer looks like garbage.
Frank Miller is a Hack
by hank henshaw
Jul 15th, 2008
01:27:28 AM
That's right, I said it.
Meh, looks retarded.
by joergn
Jul 15th, 2008
01:30:33 AM
And not in a good, funny way. Looks like a mix between Sin City and the last 30+ James Bond-Intros with all those shadows of girls and stuff. But unlike Sin City (or Bond) no cool heroes around here, just Gabriel Macht who looks like just another pussy within a bunch of pussies. And Jackson..oh man, he blows hard this times. At least they gave him some strange outfits to show off.
I liked it, but it's not THE SPIRIT.
by TheGhostWhoLurks
Jul 15th, 2008
01:46:10 AM
Maybe it was all of the hot babes and my pleasure over seeing The Spirit's face, but it wasn't a terrible preview. It just wasn't Will Eisner's Spirit.

It almost looked like some sort of German Expressionist version of The Spirit, with all of its wacky, dream-like sequences and the crazy Samuel L. Jackson shots interspersed throughout.

I DO like the smoky "Sky Captain" look of it, but I have a strong feeling this film's gonna bomb, because fans of Eisner's will feel insulted and the general public simply won't "get it."

That just looks like crap!
by Gremlin517
Jul 15th, 2008
01:49:34 AM
Frank Miller is just like George Lucas now, hew has gotten ahold of a new toy and doesn't know how to put it down even when it gets in the way of the story, premise or ideas. This just looks bad, sad that we have waited at least 60 years for this and what we get is one man's masturbatory fantasy about all the women he fanatsized about when he was a young boy. YEAH, Frank, I thought they were pretty hot too when I was twelve, but I wouldn't have let that get in the way of what the Spirit was really about if I were given the reigns to this movie. The saddest part is that after 300 and Sin City Miller is starting to look like a one-trick pony...
Actually...
by Gremlin517
Jul 15th, 2008
01:52:07 AM
The weirdest part is that it looks sleazy. I never thought a Spirit movie would be sleazy...
FUCK MICHAEL BAY!!!
by Han Cholo
Jul 15th, 2008
01:52:29 AM
Can't stress that enough. Even that trailer isn't as bad as his movies.
How could anyone who's read the Spirit
by Napoleon Park
Jul 15th, 2008
02:05:34 AM
get the mask so wrong? Tell me this footage is before the special effects people fix the mask.

And I know Miller is going to try to do with this what he's done with Batman) and considering how heavily both Burton's and Nolan's Batman borrowed from his work, who can blame him?) but Samuel L. Jackson's interpretation of Ebony White is WAY off base.

Seriously, that opening credit that lists Miller's fucking resume before Will Eisner's name ought to say in huge fucking letters "From the writer of Robocop 2 and 3". Now that would be truth in advertising.

Y'know, it's fun to play David and bash a goliath, but I really liked Miller's two runs on Daredevil, Dark Knight Returns, :Year One, Ronin and Elektra: Assassin. That's why it's sad to see what he's turned into.

Maybe he should take a few years off from writing and just crank out a couple comic book covers a month for a while - and try not to use any swastikas or ninjas.

The Spirit Is A Slut
by DOGSOUP
Jul 15th, 2008
02:18:25 AM
He's even fucking his mother-lover the City itself
what an assload of ass
by dtpena
Jul 15th, 2008
02:44:26 AM
too comicky scarlett can't act
Smells like teen Spirit!
by David Cloverfield
Jul 15th, 2008
02:49:36 AM
ZING!
I almost went with "That's the Spirit!"
by David Cloverfield
Jul 15th, 2008
02:50:47 AM
Glad I didn't.
baa baa
by Joey17
Jul 15th, 2008
03:07:03 AM
baa baa baa baa baa
Will Eisner is reaching the Earth's core by now
by Wonderboys
Jul 15th, 2008
03:09:06 AM
LOOKS LIKE SHIT
"The Happening" vs "The Spirit"
by Partyslammer
Jul 15th, 2008
03:15:26 AM
Which one will win worst movie opf the decade. Place yer bets!
Woooo
by pax256
Jul 15th, 2008
03:50:21 AM
Not bad at all me likey a lot... Then again it might oversell the movie the way that awesome 300 trailer did...
sigh...
by Redbox
Jul 15th, 2008
04:44:49 AM
I think at this point I'm happy it looks so bad... Still as a Spirit fan, I think the producers who I have heard promote this crap, should be dragged through the streets.
Don't like it.
by mrfan
Jul 15th, 2008
04:52:41 AM
That isn't the Spirit.
Rocky Horror Picture Show's a Cult Favorite.
by Baked
Jul 15th, 2008
04:57:45 AM
It's still a horrible film.
what the hell is wrong with you people?
by baghead
Jul 15th, 2008
05:15:17 AM
looks different than anything out there right now. i guess anything that can't be summed up in a one sentence log-line by script girl isn't suitable for you quotidian fucks. i'll see it. regardless of reviews.
Looks really bad.
by Glamour Fairy
Jul 15th, 2008
05:18:04 AM
I don't know what they are trying to do except look like Sin City without the fun of it. I love Jackson in alot of movies but this could be another mistake.
Oh lord, what did I just do to my eyes...
by O_Goncho
Jul 15th, 2008
05:29:37 AM
Too...much...brain...Can't... process...nazi....samurai...Ja ckson
baghead
by Sidepocket
Jul 15th, 2008
05:59:34 AM
So was The Happening. Your fucking point?
baghead
by Redbox
Jul 15th, 2008
06:08:28 AM
Cool, if you see it, you will enjoy a spacious theater. Most people who are upset are SPIRIT fans. Just because you like pizza, doesn't mean you like shit toppings on it correct? So please, if you can enjoy Frank Miller's last movie, please do. No hard feelings, but to some of us, this is such a bastardization of one of comics seminal works that it just makes us sick. You good with that? I'll even buy your popcorn. Cheers!
Wow...
by davebaxter1989
Jul 15th, 2008
06:34:31 AM
...people are really lining up to shit on this.
Wow. The Trailers Are Getting WORSE
by cowboyone
Jul 15th, 2008
06:37:01 AM
as we get closer to release. This looks cringeably bad. I feel for Miller ... but he's always talked so much shit about what "directors do to HIS material" ... so I suppose he's got it coming.
Got it coming!?...
by davebaxter1989
Jul 15th, 2008
06:38:34 AM
...Holy shit let him do his first film solo before he has shit coming! If its bad then with his next film he 'has it coming' give the man some fucking breathing room.
Frank Miller = Michael Jordan
by Rubiks Doob
Jul 15th, 2008
06:48:09 AM
Brilliant at one thing, horrible at another. Artists, when you have a gift stick with that gift. Some folks never ever have that chance.
What a fucking disaster
by Gozu
Jul 15th, 2008
07:14:48 AM
Where was the oversight on this? No one had the balls to go up to Frank Miller and say "Hey, I know people think your great but you got Samuel L. Jackson wearing Mascara and power gloves." Even the Spirit's mask looks stupid. And yeah, it has some hot actresses, but still, not enough of a reason to wade through this river of shit.
Reminds me of 1960's Batman
by Mr Polite
Jul 15th, 2008
07:28:27 AM
As much as i love the old batman show, its fucking insane and far to self aware, im getting this vibe from that trailer and i dont want a fucking spirit parody. Miller can suck my fucking balls.
Instant Eisner Experts / Miller Haters
by Half-Baked-Goggle-Box-Do-Gooder
Jul 15th, 2008
07:33:25 AM
So, you're all saying that....if Miller had set this in the late '40's - early 50's, kept all of the mores of the time intact - Ebony, the wise old police Commissioner, all of the female sexuality bottled up and restrained, nothing but Duke Ellington and Judy Garland on the soundtrack - basically a stone re-shoot of a dozen standard Bogart/Powell/Massey/Cotton Film Noir movies, that THEN you'd be standing in your seats, giving Miller a big ol' Hurrah? What a buncha cocksuckin' liars.
I have 2 stems and a cap...
by StrokerX
Jul 15th, 2008
07:36:27 AM
leftover that i believe i will save for this movie.
Just...ummm...No!...
by Kid Z
Jul 15th, 2008
07:43:12 AM
...What's next? Will they let John Byrne be the next has-been comic book writer/artist to direct a movie?
Dug it
by Flipao
Jul 15th, 2008
08:05:41 AM
That said I can see how people will be turned off by it, over stylized doesn't even get close to describing it.
I Like the Look of It, But . . .
by kevinwillis.net
Jul 15th, 2008
08:06:46 AM
I also liked Speedracer. I'm thinking this is going to be a niche movie, with a small group who really likes it and the rest, not so much.

Although the guy just doesn't look like the Spirit to me. Seems like there would be much better actors to play the Spirit, who match the physicality.
But I Will See This in the Theater
by kevinwillis.net
Jul 15th, 2008
08:07:07 AM
Make no mistake.
And please stop whining that a Frank Miller movie looks like Fra
by Flipao
Jul 15th, 2008
08:08:14 AM
What the fuck do you expect.
does nothing for me
by MariusXe
Jul 15th, 2008
08:12:18 AM
nothing at all. Big comic fan but not big about the Spirit. Just because its old it doesn't have to be gold, you know?
Regardless of Eisner...
by Laserhead
Jul 15th, 2008
08:19:23 AM
Miller is a fucking HACK. Writes the worst dialogue and shallowest characters this side of a 'Blondie' comic strip. Bullshit fetishization with everyone speaking like Mickey Spillane rejects. And I'm going to say this: Sin City was fucking boring. Really fucking boring. 'That Yellow Bastard' made no fucking sense, 'The Big Fat Kill' was pointless-- they should have just made Marv's story a whole movie, it was the only decent one.

Frank Miller hasn't produced decent work in 20 years. Stop lionizing this coked-out piece of shit, please.

Rubiks Doob
by TroutMaskReplicant
Jul 15th, 2008
08:27:32 AM
Well sometimes you really have to try things before you know how bad or good you are at them. At the same time, I wouldn't spend millions of other people's dollars and utilize another comic book writer's work, finding out.
"loading slower than Lohans thought process"
by Judge Briggs
Jul 15th, 2008
08:27:52 AM
BAHAHAHAHAHAHA too funny!
Sin City was shit
by the power of GREYSKULL
Jul 15th, 2008
08:30:55 AM
there - I said it
This looks lame as hell.
by HoboCode
Jul 15th, 2008
08:36:54 AM
It looks a little interesting but this is just going to be a two hour cocktease with this list of actresses.
What happened to the guy
by Crimson Dynamo
Jul 15th, 2008
08:39:37 AM
that seemed to have Hitchcockian storytelling and pacing down pat in the original Dark Knight Returns? This looks like a lot of art school/fever dream b.s.
This looks AWFUL.
by Steve Rogers
Jul 15th, 2008
08:45:37 AM
Seriously. AWFUL.
by Steve Rogers
Jul 15th, 2008
08:46:19 AM
If the movie somehow turns out to be 2 hrs of Eva Mendes naked, it might be salvageable. Unfortunately it won't be.
who the hell
by spidercoz
Jul 15th, 2008
08:46:55 AM
thought it'd be a good idea to let Frank fucking Miller solo-direct a movie? He's gotten waaaaay to caught up in his own hype. He needs to go back to writing fucking comics and stay there. It's what he's best at and even that's only about 50%.
ATROCIOUS!!!!
by RobotDevil007
Jul 15th, 2008
09:15:14 AM
Frank Miller was a great comic book writer, but wow, when it comes to movies he's a complete shitbomb. Somewhere there's a movie studio exectuive looking at the dailies for this and wondering what the hell convinced him to give his money to the turd who wrote ROBOCOP 2.
I consider myself an optimist when it comes to movies.
by scudd
Jul 15th, 2008
09:21:14 AM
But this looks like complete and utter shit. I mean, absolutely *nothing* about this trailer makes me even want to download this movie illegally. This will bomb so, so hard.
Looks too artsy
by Curious Jorge
Jul 15th, 2008
09:27:15 AM
How many different costumes did Sam Jackson have just in the trailer?
lots of people saying this is bad
by ArcadianDS
Jul 15th, 2008
09:29:20 AM
and nobody saying why it is bad.
At least the Watchmen trailer is almost here...
by Flint_Ironstag
Jul 15th, 2008
09:30:56 AM
I didn't think it was as bad as some would make it seem. I liked the first half of the trailer where they set him up as this cavalier hopeless romantic by bordering him with the beautiful women in his life... Then the trailer turned into fucking Samuel Jackson as Master Of Disguise trying to spout what I guess was supposed to be swaggering lines... I definitely want to see more. Just what Frank Miller does with the ladies would be worth it. The Spirit didn't look bad either.
ArcadianDS - Good Point. . let me explain.
by Darth_Kaos
Jul 15th, 2008
09:48:59 AM
This trailer was cut very bad. It's totally incoherent, with flashes of images that seem to go no where. It gives you no idea of what the plot is, who are the good guys, who are the bad guys. I didn't count, but how long was the Spirit actually on screen (compared to the women - not that I'm complaining) but maybe that's the angle they want to go. Which would be stupid. Also, Sam Jackson. Now, I like the guy, but man does he seem kind of out of place, or is it just me?

Overall, this is the worst trailer I've seen in years!

I don't know who Frank is making this movie for, but not everyone knows or cares about The Spirit. this trailer had the opportunity to introduce me, and it fail hard. he should learn, from the people who cut the first HellBoy(first Movie) trailer. I've never heard of Hellboy in my life, but the trailer sold me.

Is that good enough ArcadianDS?
That looked cool...
by Frankenbastard
Jul 15th, 2008
09:52:56 AM
I can't wait to see the finished product.
Better than the first trailer.
by rbatty024
Jul 15th, 2008
09:55:35 AM
Not that the bar was set too high the first time around. Miller's comics have recently read like someone trying to parody Miller rather than Miller himself.
Meh
by Scarbro
Jul 15th, 2008
10:06:35 AM
This trailer tells me nothing about what the movie is about... but it looks cool as shit!
I spent 9 bucks on 2 gallons of gas.....
by SydBarretsMyDad
Jul 15th, 2008
10:29:26 AM
.....I can spend 9 bucks just to watch Eva Mendes growl "Shut up and bleed" on the big screen.
I agree SydBarretsMyDad, I would let Eve sit
by krullboyisback
Jul 15th, 2008
10:34:06 AM
on my face for $9 any day....now if only her and Rosario Dawson had a lesbo scene in this movie, it would be complete
Um ok
by Geekhaterssuck
Jul 15th, 2008
10:34:31 AM
Why do I feel like I just watched someone's bad acid trip? I'm not going to debate how close to the actual "Spirit" it is because I don't know that much about the property all I know is that was freaking wierd and frankly did not leave me with any desire to see this, and Frank Miller passed his prime about 10 years ago.
Eva Mendes?
by Geekhaterssuck
Jul 15th, 2008
10:36:07 AM
Decent body but has a face that makes small children cry.
That looked bad
by Tug
Jul 15th, 2008
10:41:55 AM
I guess my dream of seeing a faithful adaptation of The Spirit being brought to the big screen is never going to materialize. I already saw Sin City and Sky Captain, I don't need to see it again.
Sky Captain Bashing
by krullboyisback
Jul 15th, 2008
10:43:57 AM
I agree that that film was vey flawed and had lots of issues, but that being said, that movie gets lots of heat because it took risks and tried to be different.
Can we stop putting Samuel L. Jackson in movies?
by I Hope You Die
Jul 15th, 2008
10:46:07 AM
Thanks.
Is Will Eisner's estate screaming yet?
by Valaquenta
Jul 15th, 2008
11:15:34 AM
Really, what do they think of miller's put-on?
Notfunny
by Valaquenta
Jul 15th, 2008
11:18:46 AM
By the looks of this movie, miller hasn't evolved since fifth grade. Sad for us all.
will eisner, this isn't (nor lou fine, nor wally wood, nor &c.,
by duanejones
Jul 15th, 2008
11:22:39 AM
...and given the fanboy plotzing over the obscenely overrated film version of _300_ -- said it once, i'll say it again: a film that looks as though it's taking place within andres serrano's "piss christ" -- i'm amazed at the negative reaction you all have towards this trailer and what we can glean as the millerization of eisner's legendary dapper creature of the night. amazed, and more than a little relieved. frank, if 90% of aicn talkbackers are horrified by your, uh, updating of mr. colt's adventures, i think you really have to ask yourself if you've pushed your luck off a chiariscuro deco skyscraper here. Half-Baked-Goggle-Box-Do-Goode r, you actually raise a good point in re: ebony, whose racist caricature should be consigned to the dustbin of history, but mostly i would answer "yes" to your supposedly ironic question. you watch _mad men_? it's fascinating BECAUSE it's a buttoned-up corset bursting at the seams. more of a 40's flavor might have given the film some gravity. now, of course, i haven't seen this yet, but just remembering those issues of _daredevil_ in the 80's when miller was first flexing, those 50-foot high ceilings, endless venetian-blind shadows, &c. miller pretty much owes eisner his scope and his foundational perspective as an artist. we'll see how this turns out, but i guess if we really kill the ones we love, it seems as though our boy frank is very much in love...
wow...that trailer sucked ass
by PhxMonsterGuy
Jul 15th, 2008
11:35:05 AM
There is no way in hell I will see that. Possibly the worst trailer I have seen in a long, long time. I would rather sit through the Space Chimps trailer about 100 times with my eyes propped open with toothpicks than see the Spirit trailer one more time.
RIP Frank Miller's Career as a Director
by milesdyson
Jul 15th, 2008
11:46:59 AM
It looks like he's made one of those weird cologne ads.
So wait, is Sam Jackson here to recruit the Spirit
by chrth
Jul 15th, 2008
12:10:47 PM
into the Avengers Project?
"We're two of a kind, you and me"--- CLICHE ALERT!!
by Lenny8
Jul 15th, 2008
12:17:26 PM
Jesus, that line is the mark of a bad movie borrowing from old sources. Was used in Dr. No, Batman 1, Austin Powers... at least a dozen more. "We're not so different, you and I" the villain says to the hero, just before the hero says something flippant in disagreement and kicks his ass. I think it's even in the new DARK KNIGHT unfortunately. Jeeshe we need scriptwriters in this town.
Yikes
by DennisMM
Jul 15th, 2008
01:34:32 PM
Bring Back Sam J. Jones. Most everyone who cares to knows the Spirit is Denny Colt. He's not mysterious. He's not cool. The Spirit is a tough guy, not a hard guy. He doesn't whisper all the time. He's kinda lightweight until the fight starts, in spite of the seriousness of his work. And he's not really all that bright.

I guess Miller just didn't care about those qualities. Very sad for Eisner's memory.
Incredibly Meh trailer.
by Saracen1
Jul 15th, 2008
01:34:54 PM
But I approve of the use of any tracks by Hybrid.
Frank's been to Hollywood before ...
by 300 monkeys
Jul 15th, 2008
02:55:49 PM
just check out a little stinker called "RoboCop 2" ...
just rotten
by GrubStreeter
Jul 15th, 2008
03:16:35 PM
bleh
yeah you're right redbox
by baghead
Jul 15th, 2008
03:41:27 PM
movie ADAPTATIONS of books or comic books should be identical to the source material. yup. wrong. some of the great movie adaptations have adjusted and altered their source material beyond recognition. wizard of oz. vertigo. the shining. sometimes filmmakers have to because, you see redbox, they work in a different medium than the authors were working in. why not go on the dark knight boards and complain about every marginal and not-so-marginal change that nolan and co. have instituted? get real. not everything is going to be the way you pictured it in your head when you were a little boy.
This is to Sky Captain as The Monkees - Head is to Citizen Kane
by ETI
Jul 15th, 2008
04:15:04 PM
And that's probably an accurate analogy.
Ok, maybe not Citizen Kane, but A Hard Days Night
by ETI
Jul 15th, 2008
04:16:22 PM
Yeah, that works better.
Thanks, Duane Jones. Hm. So Far Only Your Response....
by Half-Baked-Goggle-Box-Do-Gooder
Jul 15th, 2008
07:05:52 PM
..Really. Why don't any of you bitchy little crybabies answer my question? Is it because you'll fucking LOSE? "WAHHHH!! WWAAAHHHHHH!!!" "The Spirit's not EXACTLY the way that I, in my infinite wisdom, assume that Will Eisner would have done it himself - that is, would have done it himself if I had stopped jerking off to "The Matrix" long enough to actually BUY any of his stuff while he was still alive and thereby build up some clout for Will, all in order to "Preserve His Artistic Vision". But you didn't do that, did you? If Eisner or Miller HAD done it EXACTLY YOUR WAY - Which would not necessarily be Eisner's way, remember that, assholes - then "The Spirit" would be unbelievably naive, corny, behind-the-times and reminiscent of a style of film making that the majority of you ridicule as hopelessly unhip and NONE OF YOU EVER FUCKING WATCH. So, you all ignored it until one last superstar guy like Frank Miller decided to work with what he could, and THEN you all come flapping in and screeching that Miller owes YOU an apology. Fucking Cunts. I mean, REALLY. You scum DESERVE Keanu.
Looked ... terrible.
by riskebiz
Jul 15th, 2008
07:36:29 PM
After seeing this trailer, I think Frank Miller needed to read a bit more Will Eisner before doing this Sin City 2. Not impressed with the look of the Spirit and the characters ...at all.
The studio ought to pull it out of the Comic-Con.
by riskebiz
Jul 15th, 2008
07:47:11 PM
I want to sit in Hall H and listen the massive groan of the underwhelmed when Miler shows this crap and then tries to explain what he thought he was doing. Ought to be interesting.
It's on Yahoo
by Gozu
Jul 15th, 2008
08:58:07 PM
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/ 1809838857/video/8831867/ While the image quality is better, still looks pretty goofy. I like the song they picked though "Choke" by Hybrid.
Half Baked
by Bricktops hammer
Jul 15th, 2008
09:17:20 PM
I like Sin City (own it). I like Miller. And I'll probably like this. Not sure that answers your question, though. People hate on Miller a lot around here, weird
Half-Baked-Goggle-Box-Do-Gooder
by Sidepocket
Jul 15th, 2008
09:18:21 PM
First off, chill the fuck off. Second, yes we would still watch it. Because the Spirit is unlike anything we have seen today. Like people said, this version looks like Tarentino(SP?) ripping off Sin City. Big deal. When was the last time we have seen a serious, colorful noir story that had good humor? Right, none. They do not make those anymore ever since Blockbuster Sequels and Book adaption became the norm. Also, about changes, the reason why Nolan can change certain aspects about Batman is because not only does the stuff he change does not change the fundamental nature of the character, but that he gets so much right that any changes he makes are minor. Batman is still the hard boiled wrath that stalks criminals in the night with gadgets dressed as a bat. This, however, is NOTHING like the core or tone of The Spirit. In short, fuck off wanker!
Half-Baked-Goggle-Box-Do-Gooder
by Autobot Optimus Prime
Jul 15th, 2008
09:43:52 PM
Seriously. You're like an ostrich with it's head in the sand, but in this case it's more like up Frank Miller's ass making smoochy sounds. This movie does NOT look like anything new. It all looks like stuff we've all seen before- only done not as well. Personally, I don't care what Miller does to the Spirit franchise as I've never read it but if it's anything like what this crappy trailer indicates, I think I'll stay away from it. From this trailer- This looks like a lame movie. This looks like stuff we've already seen before only done with less interesting characters. This does not look like it's worth $9 of my money. And ultimately- I won't be going to see it. (Not coming from a blind or angry Spirit fan but from someone who actually pays attention and can decide for himself.)
Sidepocket...........
by Half-Baked-Goggle-Box-Do-Gooder
Jul 15th, 2008
09:51:06 PM
......When did I bitch about Nolan or Batman? What the FUCK are you talking about? You didn't address one thing in my post, but that doesn't mean you and I are on opposite sides. I'm talking about the swine that did nothing to help Eisner while he was still around (and still don't), but now suddenly they're the Curators of His Legacy - as long as they also get to jump on the Bash Frank Miller Bandwagon, that is....
Autobot Optimus Prime:
by Half-Baked-Goggle-Box-Do-Gooder
Jul 15th, 2008
10:04:38 PM
I don't give a rat's ass about Frank Miller - he doesn't need MY help, that's for sure - I'm just pissed at the Eisner-ignorant dipshits that only know his name from his legend and "The Spirit" from the Darwyn Cooke reboot, but think it makes themselves look cool and knowledgable to get all huffy about Miller's interpretation of Denny Colt's world. If you aren't artificially outraged at the liberties Miller's taking with "The Spirit", then you're not anyone I was bitching about. As for the actual look of the trailer itself.....I'm also kinda sick of the spoiled brats that bellyache "Ooooooohh - I've SEEN something like this somewhere before. Oh, Horrors. You BORE Me. Excuse me while I sit on my ass and demand that you, Mr Director, cater to MY jaded appetites. Lucretia, Fetch me a Grape.."
Thanks
by Aeghast
Jul 15th, 2008
10:07:35 PM
Never been congratulated for watching a movie trailer before!
I am RACCOON SPIRIT!
by congobananas
Jul 15th, 2008
10:48:15 PM
Whose that big raccoon in the fedora? Let's face it, Miller just wanted to meet all the hot chicks in Hollywood so he put about 50 of them in his movie.
I'm looking forward to it.
by Toonol
Jul 15th, 2008
11:04:51 PM
Geez, hundreds of movies a year that made with cookie cutters, but anything different gets crapped on. Look at the outrage against Speed Racer, which was a great movie. Just different, and that scared and confused most everybody.

The Spirit very well might be a crappy movie; in fact, it probably will. It's the first damn thing Miller ever filmed. But I know I'm going to enjoy it immensely, anyway, because it is at least _interesting_. How many movies are actually interesting?

I said it earlier, this could be awesome
by krullboyisback
Jul 15th, 2008
11:31:47 PM
I know nothing about the source material, but strictly from a movie fan's point of view, this looks fresh, original, and unlike 99.9% of the movies from the last decade. . . Besides, Sin City and 300, I know of nothing else that approaches this. After all, it can't be any worse than KOTCS
Looks AWESOME! Oh, I'm sorry, I meant...
by Bass Bastardson
Jul 16th, 2008
12:57:50 AM
Awful
Still hoping that Frank Miller makes The Dark Knight sequel
by Steve Rogers
Jul 16th, 2008
04:06:41 AM
"I'm the goddamn Batman! Suck my cock, Maggie Gyllenhall!"
Half-Baked-Goggle-Box-Do-Gooder
by Sidepocket
Jul 16th, 2008
07:38:42 AM
1) Sorry for bitching at ya, I some how got you confused for baghead. 2) I liked the Matrix films. 3) I read the original stuff when he was alive, along with old favorites like Dick Tracy and Tin-Tin. So I like to think I know what I am talking about on this issue.
So, what's this about?
by Ebolarama
Jul 16th, 2008
08:24:33 AM
Based on the trailer, I gather this movie is about Samurais vs Nazis vs 1940's Secretaries? Am I close?
Sidepocket:
by Half-Baked-Goggle-Box-Do-Gooder
Jul 16th, 2008
10:06:46 AM
Well, Okay Then. You've got some credentials, as opposed to the usual hype-overdosers around here....
It's All About the Tone
by DennisMM
Jul 16th, 2008
02:18:01 PM
I am a great Frank Miller fan when he does good material. I've been reading him since his first run on Daredevil and applauded his successes while I sighed at his missteps and groaned at his failures. I still buy most of what he produces (not the goddamn Batman, though). I thought the "Sin City" movie was deeply flawed but an entertaining curiosity through much of its length. I didn't think "Robocop 2" was nearly so awful as many say. Once again, I am a Frank Miller fan.

I'm far too young to have read "The Spirit" in the originals. I first saw Denny Colt in the Kitchen Sink reprints of the early '80s, then the Eclipse reprints. I was never a regular reader. The book/strip wasn't always to my liking, which is understandable. It changed a great deal over the years as Eisner's view of comics evolved and as Eisner used, then discarded, ghosts and assistants who wrote in styles different from Eisner's. But "The Spirit" always had a tone. That tone was rather sentimental whether the Spirit's adventure was light, serious, downright dark or nonexistent as another character commandeered the story. Eisner was a romantic. He believed love could sometimes overcome tough circumstances or that it should at least try, dammit. He believed that family and friends were the core of life. He believed that sometimes the good guys lose, but in the process they do not act like the bad guys.

Miller, in his "Sin City," "Daredevil" and "Dark Knight" comics, has demonstrated at best a partial embrace of these ideals. The young man from Vermont who was mugged not long after he arrived in NYC has moved from a belief that vigilantism sometimes leads to justice to an apparent belief that there is no justice, merely payback.

Visually, Miller stole half his early shtick from Eisner, particularly his use of chiaroscuro. But Miller's sharp, hard cuts and slashing layouts bear little resemblance to the more traditional (even in his late work) storytelling of Eisner. In Eisner, a man jumping across rooftops is hurtling through space a second away from disaster. In Miller, the same figure would almost glide, a Nureyev high jump or a stylized Chinese martial-arts fighter.

Eisner is heightened realism with comic tones. Miller is a cutting, limited version of realism where quips have come to substitute for genuine humor. Miller seems to have overlaid his style and tone on the basics of Eisner's creation. While that may be called "The Spirit," it's Schumacher time so far as the property is concerned.

Perhaps it's hot air, but that's my POV.
I'm goint to either love it or hate it and nowhere in between
by drewlicious
Jul 16th, 2008
02:24:31 PM
It's looking like the latter rather than the former. Looks like Sam Jackson can't refuse a costume no matter how ridiculous.
"it's Schumacher time"!!
by duanejones
Jul 16th, 2008
04:31:24 PM
ooo! dennismm, it hurts and it's funny, both because it's true! way to boil this crap down to it's eseence. (the rest was not hot air, either -- a nice, grounding precis of miller's career) miller also seems to be way too enamored of the post-noir, solipsistic loner voiceover as narrative motor iin just about everything he's done from comics to film -- "my city is in danger!" yes, it certainly would appear to be, denny...notably from a revisionist one-trick pony whose sole reverence for the source material he's adapting appears to be its lighting effects...ok, that and zaftig wimmins...
Am i the only person who absolutely loved that trailer?
by ribbitking
Jul 16th, 2008
05:26:49 PM
WTF guys that trailer kicks ass.... are you disappointed there aren't more explosions and samurai swords? I think this movie will be great.
WOW!! IT'S SHIT !!! NO SURPRISE!!!
by m_prevette
Jul 16th, 2008
05:49:58 PM
For God's sake...keep Miller AWAY from his copy of Final Draft or a camera...geez. That just looks like pure crap. CGI CGI CGI. Figures. The ONLY saving grace will be David Newman's score, which should be wonderful.
I agree Ribbitking, fanboys will be masturbating
by krullboyisback
Jul 16th, 2008
10:06:14 PM
to this in the months leading up to it
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