Another Frank Miller graphic novel is made into a film, but this film isn't quite at the level of Sin City, or even of 300. The film gives us good guys and bad guys, a city that they fight over, and even a back story that is somewhat interesting. The problem here is Gabriel Macht. Or rather, the problem is that the bad guys (Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson) completely dominate the screen at the expense of the good guys (Macht and his various girlfriends). Even the comic relief clone bad guys are entertaining in comparison to the bland hero of the film. As a character, the Spirit is not all that different from the trio of male leads from Sin City, played by Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, and Clive Owen. But acting ability matters, and Macht sadly lacks the charisma of any of the other three. So if you're a big fan of Frank Miller, or of Samuel L. Jackson or Scarlett Johansson, sure, see this movie, but with tepid expectations. But my feeling when the film was over was "I wish I'd just watched Sin City again instead."
Review of The Spirit
