Spawn - The Director's Cut (New Line Platinum Series)
by Mark A.Z. Dipp?
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: John Leguizamo, Martin Sheen, Michael Jai White, Nicol Williamson, Theresa RandleDirector: Mark A.Z. Dipp?
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: French (Subtitled)
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Live, NTSC, Special Edition, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 94 minutes
DVD Release Date: 1998-01-06
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: New Line Home Video
Movie Reviews of Spawn - The Director's Cut (New Line Platinum Series)
Movie Review: Spawned On The FX Studio Floor
Summary: 2 Stars
I watched "Spawn" when it first came out, and for a 9-year-old kid in 1997, it was nothing short of epic. A recent re-viewing, however, was particularly damaging to the action spectacle that I had kept in my memory, and I'm sorry to say that I'm no longer a fan of the film. Based on comic guru Todd McFarlane's magnum opus of the same name, "Spawn" was largely a showcase of what you could achieve with special effects and CGI animation ten years ago; needless to say, the near-monthly ascension of such technology has left the film almost completely obsolete in this day and age. With no memorable acting and a storyline that was recently reworked into "Ghost Rider", I'd think that the only fans of the films were those that saw it when it first came out and continue to put up with it.
Al Simmons (Michael Jai White, "Exit Wounds") is a deadly mercenary deceived into furthering the political agenda of evil corporation-owner Jason Wynn (Martin Sheen, "The West Wing"). Upon discovering all the trouble he's unknowingly been causing, Simmons wants out, but is double-crossed and murdered by Wynn, who is in cahoots with a demonic clown (John Leguizamo, "Executive Decision") eager for Simmons' soul. Following a pact with the devil and a five-year internment in hell, Simmons returns to earth to find the life and world he knew long gone, with the clown gleefully enticing him to bring on the apocalypse. Only by regaining his humanity with the aid of a mysterious wizard (Nicol Williamson, "Excalibur") can he foil the plans of hell and protect the family he was forced to leave behind.
If you're going to watch "Spawn", pick up the director's cut - the theatrical release is relentless in its "let's-make-it-watchable-for-teens" homogeny: cuts and voiceovers galore, etc. However, even with the inserted cursing, sexual references, and increased violence of the unrated version, the film is in trouble: moving at a breakneck pace that allows no room for character development, the acting - especially Sheen's performance - is left looking extremely hammy, and the numerous action scenes are no more than showcases for what the SFX department can up with (i.e. the ballroom and chase scenes mainly highlight Spawn's animated cape) - in other words, there's no substance behind the shootouts, chases, and fisticuffs. Co-stars Theresa Randle ("Space Jam"), Melinda Clarke ("The O.C."), and D.B. Sweeney ("The Cutting Edge") aren't given all too much time to add to the story, so more or less, they're just there to fill in the roles occupied in the comic.
If the film does have a definitive asset, it's Leguizamo's performance: with the help of a truckload of makeup and prosthetics, he brings the Clown to life with a dirty grace and soiled charm that even the comics or later animated series were unable to capture. In addition, the Violator (Clown's monstrous alter-ego) is just about the best animation in the movie: its three scenes are highlights of the film, some of which still look decent today.
Sadly, these two fellows only make up so much of the movie, and thus, we're left with the comic book-style pacing, a rather lacklustre Spawn costume (White's makeup is cool, but without the cape, he looks rather diminutive), and the overabundance of dated CGI. The scenes in hell are particularly difficult to watch to folks who have seen "The Lord of the Rings" and "Pirates of the Caribbean", and previous jaw-droppers like Spawn crashing through the ceiling at the ball will now qualify as "ho-hum" in quality.
Since "Spawn", director Mark Dipp? has been forced into strict TV and DTV work, and Nicol Williamson has yet to appear in another film: how much this actually has to do with the contents of the movie is unsure, but it's poetic to think that "Spawn" proves the point that even the best-funded of movies cannot rely solely on technology to leave a mark in cinema history. Give it a shot if you're a fan of the likes of "Hellboy" or "Blade" - non-action fans, however, steer clear.
Summary of Spawn - The Director's Cut (New Line Platinum Series)
After being murdered for quitting his role as a ruthless yet moral government assassin, Al Simmons (Michael Jai White) is sent to Hell, where he makes a pact with the demon Malebolgia--if Simmons is allowed see his lover, Wanda, again, he will agree to lead the demon's armies to storm the gates of Heaven. Transformed into a superhuman entity with shape-shifting powers and quick regeneration capabilities, Simmons (soon to be dubbed "Spawn" by Malebolgia's crony, The Violator) returns to Earth and attempts to reunite with Wanda, not knowing that five years have passed. He also seeks revenge on his former boss and killer, Jason Wynn (Martin Sheen), who has made a deal with The Violator to develop a lethal virus to take over the world, where Wynn is promised to be king.Spawn wages an inner battle between good and evil as he tries to come to terms with selling his soul and what it could mean for humankind. Despite excellent effects and great potential, Spawn seems to come up short. While White certainly displays verve in his characterization of the twisted hero, he cannot overcome some forced dialogue. On the flip side, the usually engaging John Leguizamo portrays the sinister Violator--an evil monster masquerading as a rotund, weird-looking clown--as an irritating lackey who spews overbearing sarcasm and incessantly banal one-liners. Admitted, many of Spawn's action sequences are fun, and the transitions effectively brisk, but more could have been done to explore how Simmons grapples with his humanity in these daunting circumstances. But if you want sizzling action sequences and digital effects, this film should keep you happy. --Bryan Reesman
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