The Spirit

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Opening in theatres on Christmas Day is a film with Lions Gate and Frank Miller’s directorial debut with “The Spirit”.

This is the story of rookie cop Denny Bolt (Gabriel Macht) who was murdered and reborn into the Spirit. Helping the city he loves from evil, he pursues criminals, especially the Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson).

Octopus has decided to wipe out Central City while perusing his own desires, and that is to become immortal. Out to help him is Silken Floss (Scarlett Johannson), the secretary and well-informed gal pal to Spirit’s enemy.

While out to catch the bad guy, the Spirit also encounters the love of his past Sans Serif (Eva Mendes) who gets caught in the middle of the game.

Octopus taunts Spirit with a secret that only the two share. But it is up to The Spirit to come face to face with Octopus using what ever means necessary to stop his evil plan, even if it means sacrificing himself once again!

FINAL WORD: Denny Bolt is a farce of a character. It feels like the real character is hidden behind a mask of a mask! Macht is handsome and has the look of a hero, just not the action of one.

This is the second movie this year that I’ve seen Samuel L. Jackson do something that just insults him as an actor. The first film being “Lake View Terrace” and now this and believe me when I say I do not know which one kills me the most! As Octopus he shouts, rants, raves and eerily impersonates a little Hitler number but none of it helps enjoy the viewing.

Mendes character offers nothing but a xerox copy of her hind end that was just one more thing that made no sense. Johansson had a tad smarter role but in the middle of a mud pile you look like everyone else!

Add two other beauties in Sarah Paulson as Ellen Dolan, Paz Vegas as Plaster of Paris, Jamie King as Loreli, and Stana Kotic as the sexy young copy. This adds to the gallery of eye candy but not mesmerizing acting!

The story was adapted from a comic book and personally I believe it should have stayed in the multicolor inked pages.

This film is filled with poor over acting, horribly taxing on the viewer to watch, and bad writing. This film hits the bottom hard and leaves the viewer with no spirit at all!

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “The Spirit” two tubs of popcorn out of five. Quite seriously the only reason it gets more than one is because I do love the graphics. Being a “Sin City” and “300” fan I give credit where credit is due. Other than that the other point is probably for having the guts to release this in the first place! 

I feel like I got a lump of coal in my movie stocking this year and all my spirit can say is…ho ho oh-no!