THE SPIRIT with Gabriel Macht, Samuel L Jackson, Eva Mendes, Scarlett Johansson, Dan Gerrity, Eric Balfour, Paz Vega and Sarah Paulson. Directed by Frank Miller.

BASED on the graphic novel by Will Eisner, this film is a prime example of the film makers spending too much on the visual effects and the cast’s salaries, and not paying enough attention to telling a decent story.

Given that it is directed by Frank Miller, the man behind Sin City and 300, you will know what to expect visually – although real actors are used, it has the feel of reading a graphic novel, complete with all the comic book violence.

Told in film noir style, it focuses on the rivalry between The Spirit (Gabriel Macht) and The Octopus (Samuel L Jackson), two immortals with super powers who regularly beat each other senseless, even if they are unable to kill each other. There’s also a sub-plot involving The Spirit’s childhood sweetheart Sand Seref (Eva Mendes) who has now turned evil and is seeking to get her hands on the Golden Fleece from ancient mythology.

At the same time The Octopus is trying to get the blood of Hercules. Don’t ask why, it doesn’t make much sense.

The Spirit does his own detective-style narration, while battling the bad guys and seducing every woman he meets, while he and all the other characters spew out some of the worst lines in Hollywood history. Have you ever heard a line worse than: “I’m gonna kill you all kinds of dead”?

And who gives characters names like Plaster of Paris, Silken Floss and Officer Klink?

It is impressive visually, but if you’ve seen 300, Sin City and Beowulf, you’ve seen the style before, and this film offers very little to advance the genre.

Jackson is suitably menacing as The Octopus, but he really doesn’t have much to work with in terms of script.

Likewise Mendes, Johansson are pleasant to watch, even if their characters are unbelievable.

At least Louis Lombard adds good humour playing multiple genetically engineered characters with names like Pathos, Logos and Ethos.

One can’t help but feel once the all-star cast see the finished product they will be disappointed, and it’s no surprise that unlike Miller’s earlier films, this has gone directly to DVD.