Spawn

Spawn opens with a blast of fire and brimstone straight from the Devil's own rotten pit, but this live-action adaptation of renegade Marvel artist/writer Todd McFarlane's bestselling comic and stunning R-rated HBO animated series quickly loses focus and spills its guts like most of this summer's less-than-heroic efforts. Al Simmons (Michael Jai White) is a government assassin who sells his soul to Malebolgia (a/k/a the Devil) so he can return and save his wife from his evil employer (Martin Sheen). Simmons is reborn five years later as a Hellspawn, or general-in-training, for Hell's army. Manipulated by John Leguizamo's demonic "Clown," Spawn must foil Sheen's ridiculous scheme for world domination involving a deadly virus, a pacemaker, and D.B. Sweeney. Surprisingly, the always annoying Leguizamo (unrecognizable under 200 pounds of latex) is the only character who stands out against the awesome visual effects. Despite all the evil forces at work, though, the story peters out and icky sentimentality prevails.

Not only does Spawn give away all its secrets in the first half-hour, but it bears little resemblance to what made the original story a success. Catch the toon, or better yet, just read the books. Showcase.

-- Ezra Friedman