"The Spirit" Bombs Big Time - Opens in 9th Place!

"The Spirit" Bombs Big Time - Opens in 9th Place!

"The Spirit" made like the Titanic over the holiday weekend... and NOT like the James Cameron movie, but the actual ship... Sinking... Without The Hope Diamond.

By saintc - Dec 28, 2008 12:12 AM EST
Filed Under: The Spirit
Source: comicmix

The Spirit earned a mere $6.5 million during the three day holiday weekend, good for just ninth place on the top ten. Ouch! The film earned an average of $2595 per screen compared with the number one film’s $10,632. Strike ONE for Frank Miller!!!

Marley and Me broke Christmas records despite bad reviews taking in $37 million. It seems a cute and cuddly dog sells way better than a screaming Samuel L. Jackson holding double quadruple barreled revolvers. Comicmix reported this is probably due to the economic drought. People want to feel all warm and fuzzy, and not see a shadowy figure running around on telephone wires. Sorry Frank...

Lionsgate also flopped earlier in the month with Punisher: War Zone, which is not even in theatres any more. Double Ouch! The Spirit received horrible reviews on almost every front, and it seemed the only thing to save it were box office results. It seems people listen to the critics nowadays because the turn out was not so good.

Bedtime Stories took second in box office, while Benjamin Button took third, and Valkyrie took fourth. Maybe The Spirit should've had Tom Cruise in an eye patch.

I saw this one coming, but it still kind of hurts. I am a Frank Miller fan, and I would of loved to see his "Directorial Debut" do amazingly well. Maybe he should Alan Smithe this one, and just start over... -saintc
Related:

QUIZ: How Well do you Know Frank Miller?

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The Spirit: User Reviews Compiled

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realfirstavenger
realfirstavenger - 12/28/2008, 8:55 PM
the movie is great for what it is
and i went to see it opening day with a group of friends
AND i saw punisher
people suck and everyone should go support these movies or they wont be made anymore
LONG LIVE THE SPIRIT!
saintc
saintc - 12/28/2008, 9:06 PM
Haha! I hear ya man... Breaks my heart too...
saintc
saintc - 12/28/2008, 9:18 PM
If you like this article, then please check out my first Editorial on this site, and comment on it, thanks!
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/PanelOfViolence/news/?a=5667
Stumblin
Stumblin - 12/28/2008, 10:27 PM
No offense realfirstavenger, but I'm not going to support something that sucks, even if it's a comic book related movie. If you want to know why I think it sucked, just check out my critique "Stick To The Books Miller." That's like saying I should have gone to see Daredevil a thousand times in theater because it was a comic adaption. That's just silly. And they aren't going to stop making these type of movies because of a few bad eggs. Also, personally, a movie opening on Christmas just doesn't seem like a smart marketing move, unless it had something to do with the actual holiday.
bladeshad
bladeshad - 12/28/2008, 11:08 PM
THE SPIRIT DIDN'T SUCK! THE SPIRIT WAS GREAT!!!! it was fun and hilarious. cheesie and exactly what the director intened it to be. but every one else seemed to want another batman, F$%k BATMAN. if i want serious brooding christian bale i'll go see that movie. the spirit was probably one of the most entertaining movies this year, and nobady wants to see it couse every c0cksmoke d0uche bag on the internet is ragin on it. i saw it dispite aint it cools constant berating and this sites bashing, AND I LOVED IT!. the movie was more like iron man and less like batman.
TheNameIsBetty
TheNameIsBetty - 12/28/2008, 11:28 PM
Reviews on movies aren't a bad thing, but I really wish critics didn't have such an effect on movie-goers. The way I see it, the most credible review is by a fan, not some random critic...but, sadly, it's all money these days. Argh, FARTMAN ANGRY!
WeaponX
WeaponX - 12/28/2008, 11:35 PM
When I read an article, and in that, Frank Miller mentions that he takes notes from Robert Rodriguez on how to direct, since upon reading that I felt that I would cut him a break.

I mean if that's his mentor, then he's crippling himself out of the starting gate. To put it in comic book terms, that's like having Rob Liefeld telling you how to draw.

I'm not too interested in The Spirit. I'll check it out eventually but when I do see it, I'll take it with a grain of salt. After all, Frank is still wet behind the ears. I'm sure when he starts working with better directors and other people in the business he'll hone his craft to be in somewhat of a balance with his comic craft.

...well, one hopes at least.
TeenIdol
TeenIdol - 12/29/2008, 3:03 AM
Shame..
stupify_me
stupify_me - 12/29/2008, 4:14 AM
It's moments like this that restore my faith in the public. I was excited to hear that a movie of The Spirit was being made.... Then I saw a trailer and all my hope was crushed. Then I saw the movie and hit rock bottom. This was one of the worst movies of the decade. Aside from like the Shaq Steel this is probably the worst comic movie I have ever seen. I was inspired to go back and watch the god awful Batman and Robin and yes even that was better than The Spirit. Pure trash made more than it should of already.
Shaman
Shaman - 12/29/2008, 9:24 AM
I don't listen to critics. I'm not going to see this movie unless it airs on TV for a few reasons which follow. First off, the spirit sucks. Strawberry shortcake is more interesting than that character. Second, i hate having Eva Mendez portrayed as one of the main hotties of the movie. She's on my pile of "baby vomit" right next to Rose McGowan. Third, Jackson is "overrated", yes i said it! Don't get me wrong, he is talented and versatile but he doesn't always deliver a "realistic" performance as an actor. He's not good enough of an actor to make me want to go see every movie he does. I personally feel that he belongs in drama. Those were his best performances. And last, because i feel that the filming "style" resembles too much Sin City. Yes i KNOW that it's Frank Miller. I'm a huge fan of him but i don't agree that he needs to use that style every damn time he directs. It's the same argument with the upcoming Superman concept. WB/DC thinks they made money with TDK because it was "dark" and that they need to use that in the next Superman. That's HORSESHIT, they made money off TDK being dark because it's freakin BATMAN, it's supposed to be dark. Not Superman.
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 12/29/2008, 10:12 AM
STICK TO WRITING MR MILLER, YOUR AWSOME WHEN IT COMES TO WRITING, DIRECTING, HEY YOU DID THE BEST YOU COULD ON A FIRST TRY.
NoobMike
NoobMike - 12/29/2008, 12:45 PM
I do believe Lionsgate has to time their movie releases better, that may be a part of the problem. Although a summer release could have been suicide.

Now what I don't really understand is if it's supossed to be campy, then why copy the Sin City look? Also I am not too keen on campy comic book movies, anyone remember the Dyck Tracy movie? from what I hear, the Spirit seems like that kind of adaptation, and I didn't like that movie at all.

It's sad that Miller with his comic book background and after seeing what Rodriguez did, just copied a visual style already used. He could have used a different visual style and put it on screen and blow everyone's socks off. I mean, I'm positive that today every comic book look can be achieved, from Alex Ross, to Jae Lee, to Mike Mignola, hell even Rob Liefeld's bad proportions and same face look can be achieved. Then he'd at least have unseen visuals going for him.

It will probably become a cult classic (a B type movie with budget), and it would probably have done better if marketed like that, than a possible blockbuster. Usually when people have that strong an opinion about a movie being bad, it will become a cult classic for the few that like it.

Shaman.... could you please confirm to me how many times has Miller directed? I was on the misconception that this was his first try (codirection in sin city... I picture him just taking notes of everything Rodriguez did, and giving a few tips here and there), guess he has done so many more movies I have not seen.

I wouldn't mind a darker Superman, as long as the [frick]ing nemesis is not Lex Luthor again, at least it would be new. I want a Superman movie with no Lex Luthor even if that means that it will be darker, directed by Uwe Boll, starred by Keanu Reeves, and produced by Fox.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 12/29/2008, 2:07 PM
Noob stop youl give me nightmares!

yeah Spirshit is millers first, id say the "co directing" thing on sin city is barely even taking notes!

as far as superman goes, ive been watching season 8 of smallville and its really quite good! i hated the first few seasons and only liked spurious episodes of the later ones but this one is fairly consistent...so far! you should check it out even if you never liked it before
crappybumbum
crappybumbum - 12/29/2008, 2:32 PM
lol Sam L.
Man I still gotta see this movie before they take it out man...
StarksNStripes
StarksNStripes - 12/29/2008, 5:19 PM
I was very patient with this movie.
I tried to like it.
I tried to see it from a multitude of angles, to understand and appreciate it from different points of view.

No matter how you look at it however, this movie was just plain awful.

The following movies are much better: The Phantom, The Shadow, [wiener] Tracey.
SirExcalibur
SirExcalibur - 12/29/2008, 8:07 PM
Ahahaha bladeshad I burst out laughing when you said @#%k Batman lol, totally envisioned Dane Cook haha. I didnt see either of these movies, but i did want to just never got to. Perhaps I may get to see The Spirit sometime I think it looks good cause I like cheesy movies hehe I really want to see Sam Jackson screaming some more lol
Shaman
Shaman - 12/30/2008, 9:30 AM
Well Noob, by saying "every damn time", i wasn't emplying that he had directed a whole slew of movies, you actually proved my point by saying he had done two, which are way too similarly filmed in my opinion. And believe me when i say that Frank Miller did alot more than just take side notes from Rodriguez. Aside from Desperado and The Faculty, there is NOTHING that Rodriguez has done that remotely looks worth watching. Nah-thing!!! And when i saw Sin City, being a huge fan of the comic and of course owning every story made, i saw exactly what was on those pages. Sin City was "The Perfect" adaptation ever made. And that means that Rodriguez didn't do shit aside from "pointing" the camera. Before the movie was ready for release, there had to be countless tweaks to be made for Miller's satisfaction. And The Spirit proves my statement. Miller did it the same way he told Rodriguez to do it.
NoobMike
NoobMike - 12/30/2008, 9:48 AM
I liked Planet Terror......
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 12/30/2008, 10:24 AM
Shaman i agree that roberto is a huge stinking hack. i even hated the 2 movies you did say wer ok! ...and noob i know planet terror wasnt supposed to be taken too seriously but MY GOD was that a terrible movie. but each to their own, i loved superman returns! lol, i love just throwing that out there, i always get a fanboy biting me for it!
IonParallax
IonParallax - 12/30/2008, 11:51 AM
It sure does Ror. They hate it when you say that you liked Superman Returns, or X-Men 3, or Spiderman 3..Because in their eyes they are the true owners and critics of the material and know EXACTLY what should and shouldn't have been done because they're experts in their fields and shouldn't be question by us meer mortals. They are infallible...remember?

Riiiight. Anyway, Planet Terror was supposed to be terrible, and it was. I thought it was SO terrible in fact, it was hysterical. It was so funny I almost pissed my pants. Because it was SO bad. Oh yea, Deathproof too, total B-Movie crapfest. They both stunk to high hell, but were so ridiculous they came across as comedic.

I love "XMen 3" and "Spiderman 3" wasn't all that bad. "Transformers" kicked ass and so did Thomas Jane as Frank Castle. "Daredevil" was decent except I hate Ben Affleck; aside from "Dazed and Confused"
and "Mallrats".
saintc
saintc - 12/30/2008, 1:12 PM
Who's going to Comicon, lemme know here-- http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/PanelOfViolence/news/?a=5743
NoobMike
NoobMike - 12/30/2008, 7:53 PM
lol Ion, you understand why I like both Planet Terror and Death Proof, they are histerical, I felt as if I was watching a Toxic Avenger movie or a Steven Seagal movie. I do like Planet Terror a whole lot better, although I'm a sucker for zombie movies, hell if Watchmen has no squid but a zombie attack, I will love it.
IonParallax
IonParallax - 12/31/2008, 12:46 PM
Yea, Zombie movies RULE! Where's the Marvel Zombies vs Army of Darkness movie. That would be AWESOME!!!!!
ryanallen
ryanallen - 12/31/2008, 4:34 PM
What can you expect opening Christmas Day? Half of America most likely stayed home and ate their Thanksgiving leftovers.
saintc
saintc - 12/31/2008, 6:06 PM
Ultimate zombie film fan is right here buddy. You name it, I got it... Living dead trilogy, Lucio Fulcis Zombie, Death dream, return of the living dead, planet terror, dead alive, evil dead trilogy(more demon than zombie, but it has dead in the name... lol), and etc. many more... I think almost all comic fans are horror fans too.
IonParallax
IonParallax - 12/31/2008, 6:23 PM
HAVE A WONDERFUL AND SAFE NEW YEAR'S EVE! See you next year!
Minotauro
Minotauro - 1/2/2009, 3:20 PM
Shaman I agree with you on Superman not being "dark"..!
I mean its superman and keep it that way..lol but, thats [frick]ed up about what you said about Eva Mendes and Sam Jackson!!..

NoobMike first of all Uwe Boll is the worst director in Hollywood and the cardboard actor Keanu Reeves isnt in any interesting roles lately..Superman doesnt need too be dark too emphasize on the story too make fans fell better..(Dark Knight Fans)
xander7
xander7 - 1/1/2012, 8:35 AM
it looks horriable
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