The Spirit flops!

[CaptainCanada]

Based on early results, it's per-theatre average underperforming even Punisher: War Journal.

Hopefully this nips the Miller-Sin City-style adaptation trend in the bud, and at the cost of a property I didn't care much about either way.

 

[Ultimale]

I'm glad to hear it bombed. It should keep Miller from ruining Buck Rogers and maybe he'll steer clear of films from now on. As for The Spirit, it's a shame this was the property that was raped and ruined as a film property so as to put Miller to rest. Though you don't care about the character, a lot of people do, and The Spirit has great potential. Had someone with respect for the material (Brad Bird for example) had made this film the right way, it would've been a success and introduced The Spirit to a new generation. The Spirit is a fun, adventure filled character that could've been approached as a period piece, a la Indiana Jones. Or it could've been updated like Darwyn Cooke did in the comics and would have also worked. All that was necessary was someone who isn't as narcissistic and limited as Frank Miller. Hopefully, the guys who originally wanted to make this film years ago will get their chance down the line.

 

[Psion]

I think it's way too early to call this a flop. First, those estimates are for a single day with fewer theaters showing it than any of the other movies. Second, and most importantly, I don't think "The Spirit" cost a lot to make.

Let's tune back next week.

 

[DontFeedPhil]

I too am personally glad it flopped. I dont really like those types of movies where everything is painted in...It looks fake and desolate...Plus...The Spirit? WTF? Thats the Spirit...

 

[Ethros]

I know nothing about the comic, so all I can go by is the trailer. And after seeing it a few times at the cinema, no thank you.
Looks like a poor mans Sin City, and I thought that was shite, so...

 

[Reverend]

I actually really liked Sin City (in the minority, I know) though based on the footage of 'The Spirit' I've seen so far I can see why it's under performing...it looks crap. For me the real shame of this is that it might further complicate 'Sin City 2' ever seeing the light of day.

 

[Frontier]

The style alone turned me off, but seeing momentary snips of dialogue of Samuel L. Jackson's hammy and lame-ass performance in this film just told me: dead film walking.

Thankfully, SLJ is like teflon. Nothing he does sticks to him, bad or good. He always bounces back and forth between great films and crap and never takes a hit. He's freaking invincible.

 

[davejames]

I'm glad to hear it bombed. It should keep Miller from ruining Buck Rogers and maybe he'll steer clear of films from now on. As for The Spirit, it's a shame this was the property that was raped and ruined as a film property so as to put Miller to rest. Though you don't care about the character, a lot of people do, and The Spirit has great potential. Had someone with respect for the material (Brad Bird for example) had made this film the right way, it would've been a success and introduced The Spirit to a new generation. The Spirit is a fun, adventure filled character that could've been approached as a period piece, a la Indiana Jones. Or it could've been updated like Darwyn Cooke did in the comics and would have also worked. All that was necessary was someone who isn't as narcissistic and limited as Frank Miller. Hopefully, the guys who originally wanted to make this film years ago will get their chance down the line.

Well a more faithful adaptation would probably look radically different anyway, so I don't think there will be a problem making a new movie later on.

They might have to give it a different title though...

 

[God Magnus]

I actually really liked Sin City (in the minority, I know) though based on the footage of 'The Spirit' I've seen so far I can see why it's under performing...it looks crap. For me the real shame of this is that it might further complicate 'Sin City 2' ever seeing the light of day.

I enjoyed "Sin City" too, but the style matched the comic book in many respects, whereas "The Spirit" looks nothing like the comics that I've read (admittedly few, but I've at least looked at the material). I heard this interview on the radio with Miller where he went on and on about how much he saw Eisner as a mentor and respected his vision and felt that Eisner's "ghost" was looking over his shoulder during production. I don't think I rolled my eyes so much in ages.

 

[SiorX]

I'm thrilled to hear this. Couldn't happen to a nicer film.

Here's hoping the early numbers prove true and the thing bombs out of the cinemas as soon as possible. Let that be vengence for what Miller's done to the spirit and style of the comics (and especially poor Silken Floss).

 

[CaptainCanada]

It's especially sad given that Miller and Eisner were close friends, for him to so spectacularly miss in adapting the work.

 

[JacksonArcher]

I saw the movie today (my younger cousin really wanted to see it, based on 300 and Sin City which he really liked) and I haven't forced myself through a movie since Transformers. Not to say it was awful, though. The campiness made it endearing (the beginning finds The Spirit and The Octopus fighting with toliets and life-size wrenches) and the fact that it is so waywardly crazy was entertaining in a dumb sort of way.

 

[Hermiod]

How can this movie flop ? It has Scarlett Johansson as a dominatrix! What's the matter with you people!!!

 

[RJDiogenes]

Poor Spirit. I now want to see Sergio and Mark do a story about a babbling loony filmmaker who ends up locked up forever in an asylum; at least that would be artistic justice....

 

[OdoWanKenobi]

I actually really liked Sin City (in the minority, I know) though based on the footage of 'The Spirit' I've seen so far I can see why it's under performing...it looks crap. For me the real shame of this is that it might further complicate 'Sin City 2' ever seeing the light of day.

I enjoyed "Sin City" too, but the style matched the comic book in many respects, whereas "The Spirit" looks nothing like the comics that I've read (admittedly few, but I've at least looked at the material). I heard this interview on the radio with Miller where he went on and on about how much he saw Eisner as a mentor and respected his vision and felt that Eisner's "ghost" was looking over his shoulder during production. I don't think I rolled my eyes so much in ages.

Maybe Eisner's ghost was there, but to haunt Miller instead of lending support.

 

[FalTorPan]

I loved Sin City, but the trailer for The Spirit was... underwhelming.

 

[QuasarVM]

This film maker is a one trick pony. All of his films have the same look...

And The Spirit looks dumb...

 

[sidious618]

How can this movie flop ? It has Scarlett Johansson as a dominatrix! What's the matter with you people!!!

It does?

 

[Stone_Cold_Sisko]

All I know is, the trailers looked like sh-t. Simply aping Sin City's visual style isn't enough. The actual movie has to look good.

 

[Hermiod]

How can this movie flop ? It has Scarlett Johansson as a dominatrix! What's the matter with you people!!!

It does?

Hmmmmm, it appears I misunderstood what some of the early advertising for this film was saying. Oh well.