Spawn (1997)
A movie review by Michael J. Legeros Copyright 1997 by Michael J. Legeros
(New Line)
Directed by Mark A.Z. Dippe
Written by Alan McElroy, based on the comic book by Todd McFarlane
Cast Michael Jai White, John Leguizamo, Martin Sheen, Nicol
Williamson, D. B. Sweeney, Theresa Randle, Melinda
Clarke
MPAA Rating "PG-13"
Running Time 95 minutes
Reviewed at Regal Cinemas, Nashville, TN (02AUG97)
==
SPAWN is worth skipping, unless you're a comic-book fan, in which case you'll probably enjoy the special effects. Viz wiz and first-time director Mark A.Z. Dippe proves, once again, that a caped crusader can at least be *visualized* on film. The soulless, joyless story is *less* enjoyable, but it certainly goes a long way to easing to pain of that other hotly anticipated four-color failure, BATMAN AND ROBIN. (At least Mr. Schumacher's film had entire *sequences* worth watching.) Really, there's barely anything here to hook the viewer. The tone is black, but not black enough. The costumed villain (a squat and obscenely padded John Leguizamo) is a grotesque delight, but doesn't get enough screen time. Even a literal rendition of Hell-- complete with a CGI rendition of the Big Guy himself-- gets boring after the first look-see. Sigh. With Michael Jai White, Martin Sheen, Nicol Williamson, D. B. Sweeney, and Theresa Randle.
Grade: D+
-- Mike Legeros - Movie Hell http://www.nonvirtual.com/hell
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