Spawn – Review

Spawn

with Michael Jai White, John Leguizamo
Directed by Mark Dippe
Written by Alan McElroy and Todd McFarlane
by Scott Hefflon

It may seem odd that the style-over-substance question comes into play in regards to a movie based on a comic, but there it is. Comic books like Spawn are all about amazing art, creative layout, and juvenile storylines. It’s about love. It’s about good vs. evil. It’s all been done before, and far better at that. But Spawn, the movie (as well as the animated series on HBO), salvages a plot that makes Star Wars look deep (let’s be honest, OK?) by having absolutely incredible special effects, blood-pumping action accompanied by cool, futuristic music (that falls shy of its potential on its own, but that’s another story), and one-liners up the wazoo. Great writing in that regard, lousy when you study “the big picture.” But all that’s the nit-picking tendency of over-critical culture addicts. The question is, does Spawn blow you away? And the answer is yes. Tough-talking bad guys, vertigo-inducing camera angles, great make-up and shapeshifting, acidic comedy and superb timing by one of the most manic newcomers (when he gets a good role), and scenery, cape effects, and every stylish trick in the book is amped up to make Spawn eye candy you’ll never forget. Let’s just hope the sequel doesn’t suck as bad as The Crow 2.