The Spirit(2008)
"Down these mean streets a man must come. A hero born, murdered, and born again."
Overview
A Rookie cop named Denny Colt returns from the beyond as The Spirit, a hero whose mission is to fight against the bad forces from the shadows of Central City. The Octopus, who kills anyone unfortunate enough to see his face, has other plans; he is going to wipe out the entire city.
Frank Miller
Director
Frank Miller
Screenplay
Top Billed Cast
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Official Trailer #3
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'The Spirit Scales The City In The Opening Credits' Scene | The Spirit
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'The Spirit Walks Into Oncoming Fire' Scene | The Spirit
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'Plaster of Paris & The Spirit Fight' Scene | The Spirit
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'Octopus Disposes Of His Henchmen' Scene | The Spirit
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The Spirit Confronts Sand Seref Over Her Husband - Clip | The Spirit
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Sand Seref Runs Into Floss When She Lands - Clip | The Spirit
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The Spirit Gives Sand Seref Her Locket Back - Clip | The Spirit
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The Spirit Fights Octopus In Muddy Waters - Clip | The Spirit
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Sand Seref Escapes With One Of The Chests - Clip | The Spirit
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Octopus & Floss Watch A Foot Bounce Around - Clip | The Spirit
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Written on December 9, 2025
Will Eisner’s The Spirit debuted in 1940 and was obviously influenced by The Shadow, Dick Tracy and, especially, Batman. Shot in late 2007, this movie version of the character is decidedly Miller’s rendition wherein he meshes Eisner’s hero with “Sin City,” which turned off purists of the comic. Yet film versions of heroes from comics and other mediums (radio, literature) are always alternative renditions.
For instance, John Milius’ “Conan the Barbarian” with Schwarzenegger is similar to Robert E. Howard’s sword & sorcery hero and features bits taken from several of the stories, but it definitely deviates from REH’s yarns. Or take the movies “Batman & Robin” and “Batman Begins,” which are both based on the comics’ character, but are very different in tone. The former is colorful and campy whereas the latter takes a more serious path.
I point all of this out to say that I have no problem with this being Frank Miller’s rendition of The Spirit. I own many of his Daredevil and Batman comics and he’s a proven writer, even a legend in comics circles. So, I was expecting a quality story with “The Spirit,” but it’s simply not here. Worse, the title character is never really established and so I didn’t care about him (Gabriel Macht) as he takes on The Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson) & his collaborator (ScarJo) or his dealings with his now corrupt childhood sweetheart (Eva Mendes), not to mention the Commissioner (Dan Lauria) and his top surgeon daughter (Sarah Paulson), as well as the spunky rookie who idolizes him (Stana Katic).
People tend to rail against “Batman & Robin” from 1997, but the characters are successfully fleshed out in that flick and the story has heart. You feel the love of Bruce and Alfred and the others at Wayne Manor (Dick Grayson and Barbara Wilson). You can't help but sympathize with Mr. Freeze's love for his wife and desire to resurrect her. Batman is able to see under his icy veneer to a warm heart that's willing to accept redemption and make restitution.
You’ll be hard pressed to find any of that here. It’s pointless action and encounters with outstanding visuals and style yet without heart. Everything LOOKS great, including the hero and the beautiful women, but the characters are cardboard and there’s no interesting story.
It runs 1h 43m.
GRADE: D+
