|
Spawn (1997),
Director: Mark A.Z. Dippé, Rated R for superhero
violence, language
From flesh to
steel. From blood to blade. From man...to Spawn.
  Starring:
Michael Jai White, John Leguizamo, Martin Sheen, Theresa Randle,
Nicol Williamson. D. B. Sweeney
DML Rating:
★★★★★★☆☆☆☆
- above average
"You sent me to hell. I'm
here to return the favor." -
Spawn
Why watch this? This
anti-hero is darker, more twisted than usual, and it works.
Plot Summary:
Covert government assassin Al Simmons is betrayed by his boss,
Jason Wynn, and murdered during a mission. Upon arriving in
Hell, Simmons makes a deal with the demon king Malebolgia,
agreeing to lead Hell's army in exchange for the chance to
return to Earth and see his wife, Wanda. He returns as Spawn, a
red-caped, scary anti-hero. He finds that five years have
passed, his wife has remarried, and he must now choose between
fulfilling his demonic contract or extracting his revenge.
| |
Dad's Preview: This film,
based on the very popular comic series by creator Todd
McFarlane, is better than the press it received. It's
very over-the-top and violent. I can embrace this with
an anti-hero. Roger Ebert said this film was
"unforgettable as a visual experience." I have to single
out John Leguizamo as the clown-faced
demon Violator - his performance is deliciously evil. This stylistic, visceral film
is exceedingly
morose, yet visually stunning (especially his red living cape).
Finally, after the long wait, it was great to see an African-American super-(anti-)hero.
Let's hope for more. |
|
Todd McFarlane Ent.,
Juno Pix, Pull Down Your Pants Pictures;
New Line Cinema |
