A very pedestrian re-tread of the Jack the Ripper story

Rating: Null/10 (24 February 2002)

You have to wonder why the studio bought the rights to Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell's thoughtful graphic novel to then make a very pedestrian re-tread of the Jack the Ripper story. Despite their supposed poverty every one of the prostitutes had gleaming white teeth, the ending felt like and was a tacked on dreadful joke and the film bore no resemblance to (or respect for) the graphic novel. Oh yeah, evil is black contact lenses and didn't anyone else recognise the voice of Jack the Ripper? Some elements of the book remain (ie the bits that were in the superior TV movie with Michael Caine) but this is standard damsel-in-distress, love story, horror by-the-numbers fare. A waste of time by all involved. Depp's character a pot-headed psychic could never have held the position he did at that time, he'd have been the prime suspect if he's started going on about "seeing the bodies" while Robbie Coltrane adds buddy movie bits (why?). The whole thing was rubbish.
This must surely make Moore even more cautious about allowing any of his other properties to reach the big screen if this kind of tripe is the result of the enormous effort by himself and Campbell. Read the comic (but prepare to need a strong stomach) and watch Sleepy Hollow if you want to see a quality performance by Depp.
Joe Middleton http://joe-middleton.web-page.net