Read the Books

Rating: 3/10 (26 September 2005)

To love this movie is to not have read the graphic novels by Frank Miller. Its a cute movie, but it pales in comparison to the original. In order to bring the books to the screen, Rodriguez would have had to do more than a shot-for-shot remake. Sure the visuals are stunning, but they are all the more so on a printed page. The acting in this movie was laughable, with a few exceptions which I don't care to bother mentioning. Some may see this as a fault of the pulp-noir writing style, but you would have to take my word for it that it feels much more authentic in print. This movie was a farce, and only an achievement by the post-production team that translated Miller's visual style to the film medium. I don't respect the direction or production design at all, because I think it is the responsibility of film makers to interpret and expand on adapted work. Whether you love or hate this crappy movie, I guarantee you will enjoy the books more. If you've read the books already (which is to love them,) I'd recommend skipping the movie. It gives you nothing new to enjoy, and dilutes the impact of the print versions. Oh, except that Jessica Alba is so hot that her terrible acting and weak characterization may be the only excusable failure of this movie. OK fine, if you are male, you might want to see this junker to gawk at Ms. Alba. But you'll hate everything else if you have a modicum of taste.