Sunday review
Well, no comics came out this week that I was willing to buy. My comic budget is limited to a set amount, and I have a pull list for the comics - and there was nothing on it that came out this week.
So, instead I'll briefly review the Man-Thing movie, as the DVD comes out on Tuesday.
This movie had an odd history, originally as a direct to DVD movie, than Marvel toyed with the idea of a theatrical release - finally settling on a Sci-Fi channel premiere.
In an earlier comic review, I reviewed the prequel comic that was written by the script writer. I enjoyed that comic, and I watched the movie only because I enjoyed the comic so much - the writer showed a flair for pacing and dialogue.
The writer, Hans Rodionoff, has hinted at disappointment with this movie, and I can see why. Though there are moments of brilliance (the characters of Mike Ploog and the coroner are memorable), it seems the director (most famous for The Lawnmower Man movie) dumbed the script down, making it more of a B-movie schlock slasher fest.
Here are a few bullet points:
Good things:
1. Many of the characters are memorable. Though its obvious Mike Ploog is going to be killed off before the movie ends, you actually get to know and like the guy before it happens, so that it means more than the typical character death in a horror movie.
2. The "native American wise man" is a bit of an overused stereotype, but is given more depth than usual, and the character gets to be used in a slightly unusual way.
3. The Man-Thing is genuinely creepy.
Bad things:
1. The pacing is off. "Shocks" or events designed to make you jump in fright happen either too early, too late or go on for too long.
2. If you're looking for someone who is lost in the thick and dense swamp, apparently the best way to find him or her is to wander around aimlessly until you just happen to run into that person.
3. The opening sex scene seems tacked on and adds nothing to the movie.
4. The standard "corporate" bad guys who will kill wantonly and despoil the environment just to make a few extra bucks.
The DVD appears to have no extras worth speaking of, so I doubt I will be buying it.
So, instead I'll briefly review the Man-Thing movie, as the DVD comes out on Tuesday.
This movie had an odd history, originally as a direct to DVD movie, than Marvel toyed with the idea of a theatrical release - finally settling on a Sci-Fi channel premiere.
In an earlier comic review, I reviewed the prequel comic that was written by the script writer. I enjoyed that comic, and I watched the movie only because I enjoyed the comic so much - the writer showed a flair for pacing and dialogue.
The writer, Hans Rodionoff, has hinted at disappointment with this movie, and I can see why. Though there are moments of brilliance (the characters of Mike Ploog and the coroner are memorable), it seems the director (most famous for The Lawnmower Man movie) dumbed the script down, making it more of a B-movie schlock slasher fest.
Here are a few bullet points:
Good things:
1. Many of the characters are memorable. Though its obvious Mike Ploog is going to be killed off before the movie ends, you actually get to know and like the guy before it happens, so that it means more than the typical character death in a horror movie.
2. The "native American wise man" is a bit of an overused stereotype, but is given more depth than usual, and the character gets to be used in a slightly unusual way.
3. The Man-Thing is genuinely creepy.
Bad things:
1. The pacing is off. "Shocks" or events designed to make you jump in fright happen either too early, too late or go on for too long.
2. If you're looking for someone who is lost in the thick and dense swamp, apparently the best way to find him or her is to wander around aimlessly until you just happen to run into that person.
3. The opening sex scene seems tacked on and adds nothing to the movie.
4. The standard "corporate" bad guys who will kill wantonly and despoil the environment just to make a few extra bucks.
The DVD appears to have no extras worth speaking of, so I doubt I will be buying it.
posted by John Phelan at
10:46 AM
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