I saw this film December 2008 with my sister and a friend. I'm pretty sure there were only two other parties in the entire theatre--I think it was opening week too... Nobody really wanted to see this film. I'd seen the trailers and hyped it all up to my unsuspecting companions. This wasn't long after 300 came out, so one might be inclined to think that The Spirit possessed serious cult potential. It didn't. Frank Miller should just stick to the comics. It got to the point where people were openly jeering at the screen, and I think we may have walked out because I honestly can't remember the ending. 2/10.

The Spirit...good lord The Spirit; talk about an irredeemable mess of a film. Made with the sole intention of cashing in on the Frank Miller led success of Sin City (2005), The Spirit is an ugly, sophomoric and downright bizarre answer to the question what would Samuel L. Jackson do for a paycheck. Based on a long-running newsprint comic turned pulpy graphic novel, The Spirit is actually a masked vigilante who seems to be in a constant battle with The Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson) for the heart of Central City. There's a story about a stolen serum, some garbled garbage involving a bevy of femme fatales and various on-the- nose references to Greek mythology.As for the Spirit, Gabriel Macht, previously known for his performance as "the guy that died first" in Behind Enemy Lines (2001) is easily the most bland graphic novel hero ever committed to film. The man is but a wisp in comparison to Samuel L. Jackson who goes full diva complete with a constantly changing wardrobe that includes the level subtlety of a Nazi SS uniform.It's all pretty standard as far as cloying movies go but what sets it apart is the drab set design, fanatically over-the-top performances and ludicrously thin noir pastiche job. It's as if the makers of this film were trying to meld divergent parts of The Maltese Falcon (1941) and Tom and Jerry (1940-1958) without bothering to capture the spirit of either. Grotesque, confusing and garish, the film story-wise is just bland and forgettable.

Decided to re-watch The Spirit after having binge watched the TV series Suits which stars Gabriel Macht as well as others.I wanted to see some of Macht's earlier work since he comes off so commanding and charismatic in Suits.He makes a compelling Super Hero despite the flawed script and direction, this is after all Frank Miller directing.Despite that Gabriel's efforts radiate more charm in view of his future role in Suits.Eva Mendes, not used enough, has a thankless role as eye candy Sand Serif, but even that is worth a look.Some other major attractions like Stana Katic as Officer Morgenstern has a kick-ass appeal since she will go on to play Kate Beckett opposite Nathan Fillion (Firefly) in Castle.As many reviewers have commented, the imagery is striking, not withstanding the script and plot.I think it's worth more than the 4.8 it's rated at,and it's a revelation to look back and see an early performance of Gabriel Macht.He would make a great Superman.Don't go in expecting too much, it's a visual comic book. Samuel Jackson's over the top performance might make some a bit leery, again, it's just a visual comic book that hasn't been taken to the next creative level.One last observation,is it just me or does Frank Miller have a thing about people blowing their own brains out?

After you get past the overly-long opening battle between Samuel L. Jackson (The "Octopus") and the Spirit, the film settles down a bit. Impossibly beautiful women abound (just like in a comic strip). It also has a series of clones that act like the 3 Stooges and Wyle E. Coyote; always getting blown-up or comically killed off. (The tire tracks are the best.) It's nonsensical. Death is a mistress named "Loreli". She wants the soul of The Spirit. The Golden Fleece, Hercule's blood, Nazi uniforms? It's actually slightly better than it sounds, and it sounds pretty bad. The Spirit dies several times by every means possible: multiple gunshots, bombs, knives, drowning. He is immortal yet paradoxically already dead. The "plot exposition" makes no sense either. Confusing in a gritty, graphic way. Filmed in almost black and white with occasional color used for emphasis. Uses a lot of computer-generated "sets". It plays better on cable, with all the bad cussing cleaned up. Other graphic novels have been translated to the screen in a far better fashion. "The Octopus" is played for laughs and it shouldn't have been. His "cloned stooges" spoil "the spirit" of the movie.(Sorry.) What is that one tiny piece of "The Octopus" left alive? It looks like a piece of his finger or something worse. A strange piece of work. When a film can't decide either to be a thriller or a comedy, it usually fails at both. This one certainly does. I don't expect a sequel. This was a box-office bomb. People even walked out.