View source for The Spirit (2008 film)

{{Short description|2008 American film directed by Frank Miller}}
{{for|the earlier 1987 TV movie pilot|The Spirit (1987 film)}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = The Spirit
| image          = Thespiritposter.jpg
| alt            = 
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Frank Miller]]
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Deborah Del Prete]]
* [[Gigi Pritzker]]
* [[Michael Uslan|Michael E. Uslan]]
}}
| screenplay     = Frank Miller
| based_on       = {{Based on|''[[Spirit (comics character)|The Spirit]]''|[[Will Eisner]]}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist |<!--Per poster billing-->
* [[Gabriel Macht]]
* [[Eva Mendes]]
* [[Sarah Paulson]]
* [[Dan Lauria]]
* [[Paz Vega]]
* [[Scarlett Johansson]]
* [[Samuel L. Jackson]]
}}
| music          = [[David Newman (composer)|David Newman]]
| cinematography = [[Bill Pope]]
| editing        = Gregory Nussbaum
| studio         = [[OddLot Entertainment#DarkLot Entertainment|DarkLot Entertainment]]
| distributor    = [[Lionsgate]]
| released       = {{Film date|2008|12|25}}
| runtime        = 103 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 102:30--><ref>{{cite web|title=''THE SPIRIT'' (15)|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/spirit-2008-0|work=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|date=2008-12-12|access-date=2013-02-12}}</ref>
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $60 million<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael Cieply |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/15/business/media/enders-game-is-a-bet-for-gigi-pritzkers-oddlot-entertainment.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |title='Ender's Game' Is a Bet for Gigi Pritzker's OddLot Entertainment |work=The New York Times |date=2013-01-14 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref>
| gross          = $39 million<ref name=bom/>
}}

'''''The Spirit''''' is a 2008 American [[neo-noir]] [[superhero film]] written and directed by [[Frank Miller]] and starring [[Gabriel Macht]], [[Eva Mendes]], [[Sarah Paulson]], [[Dan Lauria]], [[Paz Vega]], [[Scarlett Johansson]], and [[Samuel L. Jackson]]. Based on the [[newspaper]] [[comic strip]] ''[[Spirit (comics character)|The Spirit]]'', by [[Will Eisner]], and produced by [[OddLot Entertainment|OddLot]] and [[Lionsgate Films]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Lionsgate conjures 'The Spirit' with Odd Lot Entertainment and visionary filmmaker and graphic novelist Frank Miller|url=http://www.comics2film.com/b/index.php?blog=17&title=lionsgate_conjures_the_spirit_with_odd_l&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1|website=Comics2Film|publisher=Wayback Machine|access-date=18 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930014540/http://www.comics2film.com/b/index.php?blog=17&title=lionsgate_conjures_the_spirit_with_odd_l&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1|archive-date=30 September 2007|date=16 May 2007}}</ref> it tells the story of a ghost-like superhero who defends Central City from the Octopus who competes with the superhero's childhood friend Sand Saref for the Blood of Heracles in order to become immortal.

The film was released theatrically in the United States on December 25, 2008, to negative reviews and was a [[Box-office bomb|commercial failure]]. It was later released on [[DVD]] and [[Blu-ray]] on April 14, 2009.

==Plot==
<!--DO NOT USE EXCESSIVE DETAIL. Film plot summaries should be between 400 and 700 words per WP:FILMPLOT-->
Denny Colt, also known as "the Spirit", learns about a major case from Detective Sussman involving his nemesis "[[Octopus (comics)|the Octopus]]". The Spirit dons his costume and travels across rooftops, saving a woman before connecting with Officer Liebowitz. At the swampland, [[femme fatale]] Sand Saref rises from the water to shoot Sussman. The Spirit and Liebowitz find the wounded Sussman. Sand and her husband Mahmoud had earlier fled with chests they recovered from the water. Shot at, Sand escaped, leaving one chest behind which was retrieved by Octopus. The Octopus beheads Liebowitz and his cloned henchmen attack the Spirit. His accomplice [[Silken Floss]] flees with the chest as the two arch-nemeses fight.

The next morning, the Spirit is awakened by his lover [[Dr. Ellen Dolan]], daughter of Commissioner Eustace Dolan. He is undeterred by his gunshot wounds. He notices a gold locket in Sussman's hand, which had been torn from Sand's neck. The locket contains pictures of a much-younger Colt and Sand, and had been his gift to her. Sand had become disenchanted with the city's corruption following the death of her father, a police officer, and left for fifteen years. In a secret lair, the Octopus and Silken Floss discover their chest contains the [[Golden Fleece]], not the Blood of Heracles, as expected. Sand and Mahmoud visit an underworld figure who sold them the location of the treasure, and it is implied he gave the location to the Octopus.

Having fully regenerated, Commissioner Dolan calls The Spirit away to a case and relates Sand's history as one of the world's great jewel thieves. While arresting her, he reveals he knows she is looking for the Golden Fleece, and she shoves him through a window, which he survives. The Spirit receives a tip on the location of the Octopus's lair, but is captured while investigating. The Octopus reveals that his and Floss's experimentation led to the creation of an immortality serum. The Octopus first tested it on Colt's dead body. Colt was revived and earned the ire of [[Personifications of death|Death]] for escaping her clutches. Eventually, the Octopus injected himself with the serum, but he needs the blood of the demigod [[Hercules|Heracles]] to perfect the formula. The Spirit escapes by seducing assassin Plaster of Paris, who as a parting gift turns on The Octopus. When the Spirit mentions Sand's name, she stabs him out of spite.

After recovering, the Spirit stumbles to the city docks and collapses into the water where Lorelei: Angel of Death confronts him. He initially submits, but changes his mind after remembering the women he has known. As he swims to the surface, she vows to have him. At the projects, Sand, Floss, and their henchmen meet to exchange the Blood of Heracles for the Golden Fleece. Sand attempts to convince Floss to leave the Octopus before he kills her. Floss gains the upper hand and the Octopus asks Floss for the vase of blood. As the Spirit suddenly materializes, Floss drives off, unable to take a side.

The Octopus shoots a series of progressively larger guns at the Spirit, apparently killing him, but Dolan's [[SWAT]] team storms the area and opens fire. The Octopus is maimed. As he desperately tries to drink the Blood of Heracles, Sand shoots the vase. The Spirit rises, shown to be wearing a bullet-proof vest and blows up the Octopus with a grenade while Sand uses the Golden Fleece to protect them from the explosion.

The Spirit gives Sand her locket back. They kiss as Ellen looks on, feeling betrayed. The old flames bid each other goodbye and the Spirit convinces Dolan to release Sand in gratitude for helping to save the world. Nearby, Floss discovers one of the Octopus's severed fingers crawling towards her. She picks it up and departs with two of the clones. Meanwhile, the Spirit and Ellen make amends and embrace.

==Cast==
* [[Gabriel Macht]] as [[Spirit (comics character)|Denny Colt / The Spirit]]: An ambitious and formerly eager young cop killed on the job who under mysterious circumstances is reborn as a masked crimefighter with an eye for the ladies.<ref name="love"/> Determined to still keep his beloved city safe, he works with Central City's police force from the shadows.
** [[Johnny Simmons]] as Young Denny Colt<ref name="love"/>
* [[Samuel L. Jackson]] as [[Octopus (comics)|The Octopus]]: A former coroner turned psychotic supervillain who plans to bring all of Central City to its knees and will kill without discretion anyone unlucky enough to stand in his way. 
* [[Scarlett Johansson]] as Silken Floss: A [[femme fatale]] secretary and perversely innocent accomplice to the Octopus, only slightly saner than he is.<ref>{{cite news |author=Kit, Borys  |author2=Siegal, Tatiana |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3ided21673370e52a3d7c4c2e9e6e6674d |title=It's a triple feature for Johansson |publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=2007-08-17 |access-date=2007-08-17}}</ref>
* [[Eva Mendes]] as Sand Saref:<ref>{{cite news |author=Kit, Borys  |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3ia314015383aee6d14c4065f49edf632c |title=Mendes moved to join 'Spirit' |publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=2007-08-22 |access-date=2007-08-22}}</ref> The Spirit's childhood sweetheart who perennially seduces and marries wealthy men, has them killed, and uses their money to fund criminal exploits in a constant pursuit of a life of the highest luxury and influence over the criminal underworld. She is also a tragic [[anti-heroine]] with her policeman father accidentally murdered causing her to have a hatred of police and Central City and break up with aspiring cop Denny Colt. Her portrayal in the film combines her backstory from the original comics with characteristics of another prominent femme fatale in the series, P'Gell.
** [[Seychelle Gabriel]] as Young Sand Saref
* [[Sarah Paulson]] as [[Ellen Dolan (comics)|Dr. Ellen Dolan]]: The police commissioner's daughter and a top surgeon who considers it her duty as the Spirit's current flame to keep him healthy and alive (much to her father's chagrin).<ref name="love"/> 
* [[Dan Lauria]] as Commissioner Eustace Dolan: The hard-boiled and commanding police commissioner of Central City and the Spirit's father figure.<ref name="love"/>
* [[Stana Katic]] as Morgenstern: A spunky rookie officer and skilled sharpshooter who idolizes the Spirit and claims that Sand Saref suffers from [[Electra complex]].<ref name="love"/>
* [[Louis Lombardi]] as Phobos, Logos, Pathos, Ethos, Bulbos, Huevos and Rancheros, Mangos, Adios and Amigos, etc.: The Octopus's thuggish and moronic, yet highly resilient cloned henchmen.<ref name="love"/>
* [[Jaime King]] as [[Lorelei Rox]]: A phantasmic siren and the Angel of Death waiting to take the Spirit, who must continually force himself to resist her.<ref name=squad>{{cite news |last1=McNary |first1=Dave |title=Pair joining 'Spirit' squad |url=https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/pair-joining-spirit-squad-1117973594/ |access-date=May 6, 2019 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=October 8, 2007 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Paz Vega]] as Plaster of Paris: A sexy French belly dancer and assassin in the employ of the Octopus, she wields tri-pronged throwing knives and a sword.<ref name=squad/>
* [[Richard Portnow]] as Donenfeld: An underworld figure and fence of ancient artifacts that sold the map to the Blood of Heracles to Sand.
* Arthur the Cat as Himself: A cat that is the Spirit's animal companion.

[[Frank Miller]] and [[DC Comics]] president [[Paul Levitz]] also have cameo roles in the film where Miller portrays Officer Liebowitz while Levitz portrays Onlooker #3.<ref name=fji>{{cite web |title=Spirit guide: Frank Miller adapts Will Eisner's cult comic |url=http://www.filmjournal.com/node/1965 |website=[[Film Journal International|Film Journal]] |access-date=May 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206234914/http://www.filmjournal.com/node/1965 |archive-date=December 6, 2018 |date=December 22, 2008}}</ref>

==Production==
===Development===
In the 1970s, director [[William Friedkin]] obtained the film rights to ''[[Spirit (comics)|The Spirit]]'' and contacted [[Will Eisner]] to write a script for him. Eisner declined but recommended [[Harlan Ellison]], who wrote a two-hour [[live-action]] script for the filmmaker. Friedkin and Ellison afterward had an unrelated argument, and the project was abandoned.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kiel Phegley |url=http://www.cbr.com/ellison-gets-in-the-spirit/ |title=Ellison Gets In "The Spirit" |publisher=Comic Book Resources |date=2010-05-21 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref> During the 1980s, [[Brad Bird]], [[Jerry Rees]], and producer [[Gary Kurtz]] attempted to get an animated adaptation off the ground, though studio executives praised the screenplay, they thought the film would be unmarketable, and this version was scrapped.<ref>{{cite web|author=Steven Paul Leiva |url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2008/12/12/the-spirit-that/ |title='The Spirit' movie that could have been |work=The Los Angeles Times |date=2008-12-12 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Fiamma|first1=Andrea|title=Il trailer del film di Spirit mai realizzato da Brad Bird|url=http://www.fumettologica.it/2015/04/spirit-brad-bird-trailer/|website=[[Fumettologica]]|access-date=2016-12-30|language=it-IT|date=2015-04-15}}</ref>

In the early 1990s, producer [[Michael Uslan]] and executive producers [[Benjamin Melniker]] and Steven Maier subsequently obtained the rights for a live-action [[film adaptation]]. The producer promised Eisner that he would not permit anyone who "didn't get it" to work on the project. Two ideas pitched to Uslan were to put the Spirit in a costume and to have the Spirit be a resurrected dead man who possessed supernatural powers.<ref name="xtra">{{cite web|last1=Jordan|first1=Justin|title=NYCC, Xtra: "Will Eisner's The Spirit" Panel|url=http://www.cbr.com/nycc-xtra-will-eisners-the-spirit-panel/|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=22 September 2017|date=25 February 2007}}</ref> Screenwriter John Turman, a comic book fan, expressed interest in writing the script.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Worley|first1=Rob|title=Countdown To Hulk: John Turman talks about 'Hulk' and other heroes|url=http://www.cbr.com/countdown-to-hulk-john-turman-talks-about-hulk-and-other-heroes/|website=Comic Book Resources|access-date=10 February 2017|date=1 June 2003}}</ref>

In July 2004, financier [[OddLot Entertainment]] acquired the rights to the film. OddLot's producers Gigi Pritzker and Deborah Del Prete began a collaboration with Uslan, Melniker, and Maier working at Batfilm Productions, to adapt the story. Eisner, who was protective of the rights to his creations, said that he believed in the producers to faithfully adapt ''The Spirit''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Michael Fleming |url=https://variety.com/2004/film/markets-festivals/odd-lot-batfilm-join-forces-for-spirit-1117908165/ |title=Odd Lot, Batfilm join forces for 'Spirit' |publisher=Variety |date=2004-07-22 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref> In April 2005, comic-book writer [[Jeph Loeb]] was hired to adapt ''The Spirit'' for the big screen,<ref>{{cite web|author=Ian Mohr |url=https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/loeb-will-get-into-the-spirit-1117920635/ |title=Loeb will get into 'The Spirit' |publisher=Variety |date=2005-04-05 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref> but the writer eventually left the project. Later in April, Uslan approached [[Frank Miller]] at Will Eisner's memorial service in New York City several weeks after Miller's ''[[Sin City (film)|Sin City]]'' was released in theaters, interested in initiating the adaptation technique with Miller's film for ''The Spirit''.<ref name="panel"/>  Miller had initially hesitated, doubting his skill in adapting ''The Spirit'', but ultimately embraced his first solo project as writer-director.<ref name="xtra"/> Miller described his decision-making: {{blockquote|The only thought in my mind was, "It's too big—I can't possibly do it." And I refused. And about three minutes later as I was at the doorway, I turned around and said, "Nobody else can touch this," and I agreed to the job on the spot.<ref name="filmjournal1">{{cite web|url=http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/content_display/esearch/e3i8a7ba6d185c56a44dde220cb5168caff |title=Spirit guide: Frank Miller adapts Will Eisner's cult comic |publisher=Film Journal International |date=2008-12-22 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref>}}

In July 2006, the film [[Trade journal|trade press]] reported Miller would write and direct the film adaptation for ''The Spirit''&thinsp;; Miller and the producers publicly announced this at the 2006 [[Comic-Con International]] in [[San Diego, California]].<ref name="odd job"/> Miller said that he was putting together a [[film treatment]] that included large parts of ''The Spirit'' strip panels. As Miller described the project, "I intend to be extremely faithful to the heart and soul of the material, but it won't be nostalgic. It will be much scarier than people expect".<ref name="odd job">{{cite web|last1=McClintock |first1=Pamela |last2=Fritz |first2=Ben |url=https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/odd-job-for-miller-1200339562/ |title=Odd job for Miller |publisher=Variety |date=2006-07-18 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref> Miller filmed ''The Spirit'' using the same digital background technology that was used for ''Sin City'' and ''[[300 (film)|300]]''.<ref name="exclusive">{{cite web|last=Moro |first=Eric |url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2006/11/09/exclusive-frank-miller-talks-the-spirit |title=Exclusive: Frank Miller Talks The Spirit - IGN |publisher=IGN |date=2006-11-09 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref> The film would also copy specific shots from the comic, similar to ''Sin City''.<ref name="nycc">{{cite web|last=Carle |first=Chris |url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2007/02/25/nycc-07-the-spirit |title=NYCC 07: The Spirit - IGN |publisher=IGN |date=2007-02-24 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref>

In February 2007, Miller completed the first draft of the screenplay and began work on a second draft.<ref name="popwatch">{{cite news |author=Gopalan, Nisha  |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2007/02/its_been_the_ca.html |title=With NY Comic Con kicking off, it's (Frank) Miller time |publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=2007-02-23 |access-date=2007-02-24}}</ref>  Principal photography was initially slated to begin in late spring 2007.<ref name="odd job"/>  Miller also planned to begin filming ''[[Sin City: A Dame to Kill For|Sin City 2]]'' in spring 2009,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Spelling|first1=Ian|title=Miller: Sin 2 Is Ready To Go|url=http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=0&id=40259|website=SCI FI Wire|publisher=Wayback Machine|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070225084539/http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=0&id=40259|archive-date=25 February 2007|date=23 February 2007}}</ref> and Uslan indicated that filming for ''The Spirit'' would begin before Miller started ''Sin City 2''.<ref name="panel"/> Following the casting of [[Gabriel Macht]] as the Spirit in August 2007, filming was re-slated for the following October.<ref name="macht">{{cite web|last1=Fleming |first1=Michael |last2=Garrett |first2=Diane |url=https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/gabriel-macht-to-star-in-spirit-1117969608/ |title=Gabriel Macht to star in 'Spirit' |publisher=Variety |date=2007-08-02 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref>

===Casting===
Miller held auditions for the title role, and Macht was cast in August 2007.<ref name="macht"/> Mendes told Miller that she wanted to work with him on ''The Spirit'' before she had even seen a script for the film.<ref name="carroll">{{cite web|author=Larry Carroll |url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/10/10/eva-mendes-has-the-spirit/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011230219/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/10/10/eva-mendes-has-the-spirit/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |title=Eva Mendes Has 'The Spirit' |publisher=MTV |date=2007-10-10 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref>

Jackson was Miller's first choice for the role of the supervillain and was cast in May 2007.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Siegel|first1=Tatiana|last2=Kit|first2=Borys|title=Miller sees Jackson as evil 'Spirit'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ie62938636be2f71fecac797ed78e3302|website=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Wayback Machine|access-date=19 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070520052817/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ie62938636be2f71fecac797ed78e3302|archive-date=20 May 2007|date=18 May 2007}}</ref> Jackson, Miller, and the costume designer developed elaborate costumes for the Octopus to wear; they are different for each of his scenes. They include a [[samurai]] robe complete with a wig, a full [[Nazi]] ''[[Schutzstaffel]]'' uniform, a [[Western (genre)|Western]] duster-influenced outfit with an out-of-proportion [[cowboy hat]], and a costume consisting of a [[Karakul (hat)|karakul hat]] and a [[fur coat|fur-lined coat]] influenced by 1970s [[blaxploitation]] [[pimp]]s. When asked about the change from the Octopus being recognized in the comics by distinctive gloves, Jackson said, "It's just an opportunity to be larger than life to take the Octopus's theme of dressing the way he feels every day, or having a theme to his day to day life and making some sense with it. And hopefully, the audience will take the ride with us."<ref>{{cite web|author=Shawn Adler |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2592607/samuel-l-jackson-takes-us-through-his-spirit-wardrobe/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116213242/http://www.mtv.com/news/2592607/samuel-l-jackson-takes-us-through-his-spirit-wardrobe/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 16, 2016 |title=Samuel L. Jackson Takes Us Through His 'Spirit' Wardrobe |publisher=MTV |date=2008-07-26 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref>

===Filming===
Filming began in October 2007, and took place at [[Albuquerque Studios]] in [[New Mexico]].<ref name="love">{{cite web|title=Miller's 'Spirit' finds love with Paulson|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ib429a97580f60ae2166395f1268d6bf8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011201532/http://hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ib429a97580f60ae2166395f1268d6bf8|url-status=dead|website=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Wayback Machine|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-date=11 October 2007|date=25 September 2007}}</ref> ''The Spirit'' was mainly filmed with [[Panavision]]'s [[Genesis (camera)|Genesis]] digital camera. [[High-speed photography]] was filmed with [[Vision Research (company)|Vision Research]]'s [[Phantom (high-speed camera brand)|Phantom]] camera.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Dead Reckoning|last=Witmer|first=Jon D.|magazine=[[American Cinematographer]]|publisher=[[American Society of Cinematographers]]|location=[[Hollywood, California]], U.S.|date=February 2009|volume=90|issue=2|page=44|issn=0002-7928}}</ref> The film's release was originally scheduled for January 16, 2009, but on May 6, 2008, it was announced that the release date would be moved up to December 25, 2008.<ref name="panel">{{cite web|author=Pamela McClintock |url=https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/christmas-gets-frank-miller-s-spirit-1117985199/ |title=Christmas gets Frank Miller's 'Spirit' |publisher=Variety |date=2008-05-06 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref>

The film contains a number of references to Eisner collaborators and other comic book luminaries. These include "Feiffer Industrial Salt", alluding to ''The Spirit'' [[ghost writer]] [[Jules Feiffer]]; "Iger Avenue", named for [[Eisner & Iger]] partner [[Jerry Iger|S.M. "Jerry" Iger]]; "Ditko's Speedy Delivery", named for [[Steve Ditko]], a comic book artist and writer; and the characters Donenfeld and Liebowitz, played by [[Richard Portnow]] and Frank Miller, respectively, who are named for two of [[DC Comics]]' founders, [[Harry Donenfeld]] and [[Jack Liebowitz]].<ref name="filmjournal1"/>

===Music===
{{Infobox album
| name       = The Spirit
| type       = film
| artist     = [[David Newman (composer)|David Newman]]
| cover      =
| caption    = 
| alt        =
| released   = December 23, 2008
| recorded   =
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      = [[Classical music|Classical]]
| length     =
| label      = Silva Screen
| producer   =
| prev_title = [[Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins]]
| prev_year  =
| next_title = [[My Life in Ruins]]
| next_year  =
}}
Producer Deborah Del Prete said that Miller wanted "elements of the '40s jazz sound married with iconic heroic music and even a touch of the [[Spaghetti Western|spaghetti western]]."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://enewsi.com/news.php?catid=190&itemid=14188 |title=The Spirit Production Notes & Images |publisher=ENewsi.com |access-date=2017-02-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211080000/http://enewsi.com/news.php?catid=190&itemid=14188 |archive-date=2017-02-11 }}</ref> ''The Spirit''{{'}}s mysterious [[Henry Mancini]]-like soundtrack was composed and conducted by [[David Newman (composer)|David Newman]].

{{Blockquote|It's Sand Saref (Eva Mendes) who has the most elaborate of all the themes because it's based on her relationship with Denny Colt when they were in their teens, well before he became the Spirit. Saref's music ultimately becomes the love theme of the movie. It's very romantic, almost old fashioned, especially when they finally kiss. Frank Miller and I talked about that scene quite a bit. He really wanted me to 'go for it'—to make their music as romantic as possible. In the end, the Spirit is like a modern day [[Don Juan]], without the psychological ambivalence towards women. He truly loves every woman he meets. It's part of his makeup. He has a certain naiveté in this respect.|David Newman<ref>{{cite web|last1=Schweiger|first1=Daniel|title=E-Notes: COMPOSER DAVID NEWMAN IS VISITED BY THE GHOST OF 'THE SPIRIT' PAST|url=http://ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=3169|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211235022/http://ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=3169|url-status=dead|website=iFMagazine|publisher=Wayback Machine|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-date=11 February 2010|date=25 December 2008}}</ref>}}

There is an eerie, wordless soprano for Lorelei (Jaime King) that is performed by Newman's 19-year-old daughter Diana, a vocal major at the University of Southern California.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jon Burlingame |url=https://variety.com/2008/film/awards/sound-bites-david-newman-1117997546/ |title=Sound bites: David Newman |publisher=Variety |date=2008-12-17 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref>

[[Christina Aguilera]] sings a cover of the classic "[[Falling in Love Again (Can't Help It)|Falling in Love Again]]" in the closing credits of ''The Spirit''. The song dates to 1930, written by [[Frederick Hollander]], with lyrics written by [[Sammy Lerner]]. The song was originally sung and popularized by [[Marlene Dietrich]] in the film ''[[The Blue Angel]]'' (1930) and has been covered by [[Billie Holiday]] (1940), [[Doris Day]] (1961), and [[Sammy Davis Jr.]] (1962).

The trailers for the film feature music from the ''[[I Choose Noise]]'' album by [[Hybrid (Welsh band)|Hybrid]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}{{relevance inline|date=September 2017}}<!--should this be under Marketing?-->

Soundtrack track list:
# "Spirit / Main Title"
# "Lorelei 'Angel of Death{{'"}}
# "Enter Silken Floss – Octopus Kicks"
# "Just a Fight"
# "You're An Accident"
# "Spirit Reflects"
# "Egg on My Face"
# "Sand / Octopus Lair"
# "I Am Sorely Disappointed"
# "Spirit Finds Sand / Falling / Hung Up"
# "Plaster of Paris Dance"
# "Spirit and Plaster Run"
# "Lorelei 'You Are Mine' / Spirit Wants"
# "Stand Off / Spirit Just Keeps Coming"
# "Shootout"
# "Octopus Buys It"
# "Spirit Kisses Sand"
# "It's You I Love / She Is My City"

==Marketing==
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2017}}
[[Image:TheSpiritPanelCC08.jpg|thumb|400px|[[Gabriel Macht]], [[Frank Miller]], [[Deborah Del Prete]], [[Samuel L. Jackson]], and [[Jaime King]] at the 2008 [[Comic-Con International|Comic-Con]] promoting the film]]
At the [[New York Comic Con]] on February 24, 2007, director-screenwriter [[Frank Miller]] and producer [[Michael Uslan]] were scheduled to present a panel for ''The Spirit'',<ref>{{cite web|title=NYCC ANNOUNCES MORE SPECIAL GUESTS; IMPORTANT DEADLINES|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=9495|website=Comic Book Resources|publisher=Wayback Machine|access-date=13 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207104609/http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=9495|archive-date=7 February 2007|date=29 January 2007}}</ref> though Miller was unable to attend due to recuperation from hip and leg injuries.<ref name="popwatch"/> Instead, Uslan, fellow producer F.J. DeSanto, and former ''The Spirit'' publisher [[Denis Kitchen]] presented a panel at which they described the history of the film and the film's progress.<ref name="panel"/>

[[Titan Books]] produced a making-of book, ''The Spirit: The Movie Visual Companion'' by [[Mark Cotta Vaz]], featuring interviews with the cast and crew, photos, [[storyboard]]s, and production art. It was released November 25, 2008.{{Citation needed|date=February 2017}} A second book, ''Frank Miller: The Spirit Storyboards'', was announced for release on May 6, 2009,{{Citation needed|date=February 2017}} but was never released.

The film was rated [[PG-13 (Motion Picture Association)|PG-13]] by the [[Motion Picture Association of America|MPAA]] for "intense sequences of stylized violence and action, some sexual content, and brief nudity".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/latest_mpaa_ratings_119 |title=Latest MPAA Ratings: #119 |date=2008-08-27 |access-date=2008-08-29 |archive-date=2008-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927033622/http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/latest_mpaa_ratings_119 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The film was released on [[Christmas Day]] 2008.{{Citation needed|date=February 2017}}

==Reception==

===Box office===
Released in 2,509 theaters,<ref name=bom>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=spirit09.htm |title=The Spirit (2008) |publisher=Box Office Mojo |date=2008-01-22 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref> ''The Spirit'' grossed $10.3 million in its opening four days, placing 9th in the box-office ranking for the weekend.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gnerre|first1=Andrew|title=Marley & Me Enjoys a Record-Breaking Christmas|url=http://www.moviemaker.com/blog/item/marley_me_enjoys_a_record_breaking_christmas_20081229/|website=MovieMaker Magazine|publisher=Wayback Machine|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230134137/http://www.moviemaker.com/blog/item/marley_me_enjoys_a_record_breaking_christmas_20081229/|archive-date=30 December 2008|date=29 December 2008}}</ref> The film grossed $19.8 million in the US and $18.6 million internationally for a worldwide total of $38.4 million.<ref name="bom"/> ''Variety'' estimated that the film's poor performance at the box office cost Odd Lot Entertainment tens of millions of dollars in losses, but Odd Lot Entertainment's CEO Gigi Pritzker denied rumors that Miller's other projects had been cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fleming|first1=Michael|title=Odd Lot shakeup|url=https://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=cannes2007&jump=story&articleid=VR1118003505&cs=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604224825/http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=cannes2007&jump=story&articleid=VR1118003505&cs=1|url-status=dead|website=Variety|publisher=Wayback Machine|access-date=10 February 2017|archive-date=4 June 2009|date=12 May 2009}}</ref>

===Critical reception===
On the review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]] the film holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on 114 reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The website's critical consensus reads, "Though its visuals are unique, ''The Spirit's'' plot is almost incomprehensible, the dialogue is ludicrously mannered, and the characters are unmemorable."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_spirit|title=The Spirit (2008)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date={{RT data|access date|df=iso}}}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> [[Metacritic]] gave it an aggregate score of 30 out of 100, based on 24 critics, indicating "generally negative reviews".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/spirit2008 |title=The Spirit reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=2011-01-31 |archive-date=2010-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624113438/http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/spirit2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "C−" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="cinemascore">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fantastic-four-gets-worst-cinemascore-814137 |title='Fantastic Four' Gets Worst CinemaScore Ever for Studio Superhero Movie |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=August 9, 2015 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=May 10, 2022}}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave the film one out of four stars and said, "There is not a trace of human emotion in it. To call the characters cardboard is to insult a useful packing material".<ref>{{cite web|last=Sobczynski |first=Peter |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081223/REVIEWS/812239987 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224140828/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081223/REVIEWS/812239987 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 24, 2008 |title=The Spirit Movie Review & Film Summary (2008) |publisher=Roger Ebert |date=2008-12-23 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref>

In a positive review, Ricky Bentley of the ''[[Miami Herald]]'' said, "Macht manages to meld macho with melodrama to make the Spirit come to life."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bentley |first1=Rick |title=The Spirit (PG-13) *** |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/things-to-do/article225665470.html |access-date=May 6, 2019 |work=[[Miami Herald]] |date=December 24, 2008 |language=en}}</ref>

[[Frank Lovece]] of ''[[Newsday]]'', a one-time comic-book writer, found that "gorgeous [[cinematography]] and design can't mask the hollow core and bizarre ugliness of this mishandled comics adaptation", and noted that while Eisner's own Spirit was "an average-Joe [...] in a rumpled suit—a vulnerable but insouciant [[everyman]] in humanist fables", Miller's Spirit "now has a superpower—a healing factor. Eisner's own spirit must be spinning in its grave".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lovece|first1=Frank|title=The Spirit|url=http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/exploreli/ny-ete5975235dec24a%2C0%2C6764122.story|website=Newsday|publisher=Wayback Machine|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208014344/http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/exploreli/ny-ete5975235dec24a%2C0%2C6764122.story|archive-date=8 February 2009|date=24 December 2008}}</ref>

Chris Barsanti of ''[[Filmcritic.com]]'' stated, "It's a frankly gorgeous effect, liberated by the fact that Miller adapted freely from Eisner's panels—the two were longtime friends—to create an organic story instead of slavishly following the master's work", and calling it "one of the year's most refreshingly fun films."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Barsanti|first1=Chris|title=The Spirit Movie Review, DVD Release|url=http://www.filmcritic.com/misc/emporium.nsf/reviews/The-Spirit|website=Filmcritic.com|publisher=Wayback Machine|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090102065832/http://www.filmcritic.com/misc/emporium.nsf/reviews/The-Spirit|archive-date=2 January 2009}}</ref>

[[Owen Gleiberman]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', found the movie a "ludicrously knowing and mannered noir pastiche, full of burnt-end romance and 'style', but robotic at its core".<ref>{{cite web|author=Owen Gleiberman |url=https://ew.com/article/2008/12/24/spirit-7/ |title=The Spirit – |publisher=Entertainment Weekly |date=2008-12-24 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref>

Ken Hanke of ''[[Mountain Xpress]]'' observed, "The film may not move smoothly—Miller's too fond of 'just damn weird' digressions for that—but it does move and isn't hard to follow. Its screwiness is deliberate and it's all a matter of taste."<ref>{{cite web|author=Ken Hanke |url=http://www.mountainx.com/movies/review/spirit |title=The Spirit |publisher=Mountain Xpress |date=2008-12-31 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref>

[[A. O. Scott]] in ''[[The New York Times]]'' summed up, "To ask why anything happens in Frank Miller's sludgy, hyper-stylized adaptation of a fabled comic book series by Will Eisner may be an exercise in futility. The only halfway interesting question is why the thing exists at all."<ref>{{cite web|author=A. O. Scott |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/2008/12/25/movies/25spir.html?ref=movies |title=Gabriel Macht, Directed by Frank Miller, Is Ducking Villains and Vixens |work=The New York Times |date=2008-12-24 |access-date=2017-02-10}}</ref>

In 2010, ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine listed the film at {{Abbr|No.|number}} 32 on their "Top 50 Worst Movies of All Time" list.<ref>{{cite web|title=The 50 Worst Movies Ever|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/50-worst-movies-ever/|website=Empire|access-date=3 June 2017|language=en|date=4 February 2010}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080514020707/http://www.mycityscreams.com/ Official ''The Spirit'' site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081112175928/http://www.sonypictures.net/movies/thespirit/ Official international ''The Spirit'' site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081030070000/http://www.lionsgate.com/thespirit/ Lionsgate official ''The Spirit'' site]
* {{IMDb title|0831887|The Spirit}}
* {{AllMovie title|355798|The Spirit}}
* {{Mojo title|spirit09|The Spirit}}
* {{Metacritic film|title=The Spirit}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|the_spirit|The Spirit}}

{{DC Comics films}}
{{The Spirit}}
{{Frank Miller}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spirit, The}}
[[Category:2008 films]]
[[Category:2008 action films]]
[[Category:2000s crime action films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:2000s superhero films]]
[[Category:2000s vigilante films]]
[[Category:American crime action films]]
[[Category:American detective films]]
[[Category:American neo-noir films]]
[[Category:American satirical films]]
[[Category:American superhero films]]
[[Category:American vigilante films]]
[[Category:Classical mythology in popular culture]]
[[Category:Films about immortality]]
[[Category:Films based on comic strips]]
[[Category:Films directed by Frank Miller (comics)]]
[[Category:Films scored by David Newman (composer)]]
[[Category:Films shot in New Mexico]]
[[Category:Films produced by Michael E. Uslan]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Frank Miller (comics)]]
[[Category:Lionsgate films]]
[[Category:Live-action films based on comics]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:English-language crime action films]]