The Spirit DVD, 2008

Mega-budget action adventure based on the comic strip by Will Eisner. Gabriel Macht stars as Denny Colt, the former rookie cop who returns from the dead as The Spirit, a mysterious hero whose mission is to fight crime from the shadows of Central City. His nemesis is the equally elusive Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson), who plans to wipe out the entire city in his relentless quest for immortality and immediately kills anyone who has the misfortune to glimpse his face. As The Spirit pursues this cold-hearted killer, he finds himself becoming a magnet to a collection of beautiful women (played by Scarlett Johansson, Eva Mendes and Jaime King), all of whom have their own reasons for wanting to get close to him - whether it be to seduce him, love him or kill him.

Frank Miller, is, of course the one of the most celebrated talents in the comics field, rebooting the Batman franchise with The Dark Knight Returns and doing the same ... more >

Frank Miller, is, of course the one of the most celebrated talents in the comics field, rebooting the Batman franchise with The Dark Knight Returns and doing the same for the Marvel character Daredevil. His film outings (as visual consultant) on such adaptations of his work as Sin City and 300 has been groundbreaking; and here's his first film as director, a spin on Will Eisner's classic masked detective. It's been controversially received, principally because Miller has gone for the parodic tone of the Adam West Batman TV series and encouraged over-the-top performances from his players (notably a digital scenery-chewing Samuel L Jackson). Visually, of course, The Spirit is stunning, and a constant a feast for the eyes - particularly in this astoundingly vivid Blu-ray transfer. < less

View all 501 of Barry Forshaw’s reviews