Spawn (1997)

Why so much hype?

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

This is just really cool, plus I saw it first at a rather young age. The effects really are sometimes terrible and other times good or even very good for it's time, still features many cool action scenes and set pieces, a memorable anti-hero and the unforgettable character of the "Clown".

This is a great movie. It has a lot action. It is scarier then A Nightmare on elm street. It is a very scary movie. It has a great story line. It also has great acting. See it. It is a great movie.

In many ways, this film is as tragic as Spawn's own backstory. As mentioned above, the actors are beautifully suited to their roles. Particularly Michael Jai White and John Leguizamo in the leading roles. Everyone breathes a real life into one of the greatest comic series ever written.The story, on the other hand, is unbecomingly light-hearted for Spawn. Perhaps they were worried about the movie being to broody, but if that was the case, they grossly overcompensated. Some of the most emotionally pivotal scene of the opening comic issues are instead played for laughs here. It isn't Joel Schumacher's Spawn, by any means. But the out-of-place gags can take you out of the story when the horrid CGI doesn't. The make-up, costumes and practical effects are honestly breathtaking, but that and the strength of the actors alternates from helping you forget that you're watching the generic cola of Spawn, and highlighting all that now seems even weaker by comparison. In short, it's a lukewarm movie at best. With good points and bad in equal measure. I can't recommend it as such, but it is an interesting study in "so close, and yet so far".

Spawn (1997): Dir: Mark A.Z. Dippe / Cast: Michael Jai White, John Leguizamo, Martin Sheen, Theresa Randal, D.B. Sweeney: Comic book action film about what will emerge from our lives and how it will influence or affect those around us. A cop is set up to be killed and he receives the option of returning for vengeance thus leading Satan's army, or death. Naturally he returns for vengeance but his real concern is his fiancé who has moved on and married his partner. Only his dog Spaz seems to recognize him for his body is burnt plus he has the ability to transform. Director Mark A.Z. Dippe is backed with creative visual imagery as well as a sympathetic performance by Michael Jai White as Spawn. He is full of pain and anger for justice but ultimately he makes several grand decisions that will strengthen him by film's end. John Leguizamo is outstanding as a demonic clown despite conventional placing. Martin Sheen is standard as a corrupt government official in what is really a big disappointment. Theresa Randal as Spawn's wife must bear her loss and move on, which thankfully drives the story further. The relationship between her and her deceased husband's partner is done with taste. D.B. Sweeney plays his best friend who evidently becomes the new romantic interest in his wife's life. Comic book fans will enjoy the overwhelming production that also spawns a theme of regret and reflection. Score: 7 ½ / 10