- Actors: John Leguizamo, Michael Jai White, Martin Sheen, Theresa Randle, Nicol Williamson
- Directors: Mark A.Z. Dippé
- Writers: Mark A.Z. Dippé, Alan B. McElroy, Todd McFarlane
- Producers: Adrianna A.J. Cohen, Alan C. Blomquist, Brian Witten, Clint Goldman
- Language English
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Eiv
- VHS Release Date: 1 Oct 1999
- Run Time: 96 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004CVX4
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,983 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
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 to 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 special effects and great potential, Spawn seems to come up short. While White certainly displays verve in his characterisation 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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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Let's face it, Spawn the comic was never going to be easy to transfer onto the big screen.
I think that Todd McFarlane & co didn't do all that bad a job of the movie, however, I do believe that the movie could have been MUCH better than it turned out. If only they made the film darker, like the comics, more in the style of say "Blade" with Wesley Snipes.
A great prospect that was never given the right script, actors or director, Spawn could have been so much more than just another action movie with some eye-catching special effects, but alas it isn't.
Although Michael Jai White wasn't a bad choice for Al Simmons, Tony Todd should have been brought in for the voice of the deceased Simmons, aka Spawn. Also, someone like David Fincher could have directed this better in my mind and Todd McFarlane could have co-wrote a fantastic script with someone like Kevin Smith.
I have heard rumours of a sequel, which is promised to be a LOT darker than this, the first Spawn movie, I hope this is true, as Spawn really deserves to be a big budget, cleverly scripted box office & critical hit of a movie, not this half-... attempt.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I'm quite a fan of good comic book adaptations, but sadly this isn't. The script is appalling, particularly the dialogue, the villains are laughable, the acting is worse (with the exception of the lead, who does his best given the lousy material). Even Martin Sheen as the villain looks if he'd rather shoot his agent than Spawn. Avoid like the plague, and rent Hellboy instead.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have read most of e reviews here and they seem to be a mixed bag. However, I think this film is great and Micheal Jai White is awesome in almost every film hes in!
The special effects in this film are great even though its getting on a bit now, the only disappointing bit is the devil who for some reason does a great impression of a ventriloquist as he talks without moving his mouth!
Quality film!
The special effects in this film are great even though its getting on a bit now, the only disappointing bit is the devil who for some reason does a great impression of a ventriloquist as he talks without moving his mouth!
Quality film!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
spawn
i watched this film many years ago & thought it was good. unfortunately i have grown up since then and now found the story poor. Read more
Published 21 months ago by laura
good effort but not without it's flaws
If you were like me and hadn't heard of spawn until you saw the film in the cinema back in 96, it probably would have got you wanting more. Read more
Published on 24 Jan 2010 by derzerb
5 Stars
Very good arrived earlier than expected, a few scratches on the disk. but still completely watchable. Read more
Published on 20 Oct 2009 by Mr. M. McNaught
Not really Spawn
The only reason I even give this film two stars is because I have recently watched Todd MacFarlane's interview on the special edition boxset of Spawn: The Animated Series where he... Read more
Published on 6 Dec 2008 by Graeme Loveridge
Not for spawn fans
So if you take one of the greatest comics created and make it into a feature film surely you will have one of the best adaptations right? definately wrong!!! Read more
Published on 13 Jun 2008 by cazyeah
Decent sci-fi movie.
I watched this on the recommendation of a mate, he loves it sadly i dont share his enthusiasm. Im taking into consideration it was made 10 years ago so didnt expect much from the... Read more
Published on 21 Jan 2007 by S. Mcafee
okay
when i first saw this when i was younger i thought it was brilliant so when it come out on dvd i had to get it but when i watched all these years later i thought it was pretty... Read more
Published on 26 Feb 2005 by ichi
No No No No and No again!
Nice try but No! This is one wierd film about hell, reincarnation, revenge and some short fat hyper freak running round in a clown suit. Read more
Published on 10 Jun 2004 by "blackudder"
Overall, not a bad film.
When i first watched this film i had absolutely no knowledge what so ever that Spawn had once been a hero in a comic strip and that there were several series of Spawn. Read more
Published on 27 May 2004 by no1filmaddict
Great for Spawn newbies, problematic for hard-core fans
I came to this movie knowing basically nothing about the Spawn character, the comic strip, and the whole story behind Todd McFarlane's vaunted modern-day hero. Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2004 by Daniel Jolley
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