And here may I say that I saw Elektra on Sunday and . . . I quite enjoyed it. Not sure how much anyone not already familiar with the character would like it - and perhaps many fans of Elektra in comic book form will be disappointed in various ways. Even so, I thought it looked good, particularly in its sombre tone, Jennifer Garner did a pretty fine job with what she had, and the script came up with some interesting ideas. The plot on the whole was pretty flimsy, and I'm not a huge fan of endless kung-fu action, but taken as a whole, I found it worthwhile; a lot better than the reviews I had read. Faint praise perhaps, but if you're interested, give it a go. And for the unashamedly red-blooded male (and gay female) fans of Elektra, I'll add that I was a touch disappointed that they converted E's outfit into full-length pants. But with all the kicking and whirling, I suppose I understand why they did that . . .

On-topic: Christophe Beck's score was great. Not as innovative as I think much of his BtVS work was, and perhaps not as moving (but that would be more a function of the lower level of story and writing), but effective and interesting. Good to see he's continuing to get a variety of challenging work.

SoddingNancyTribe | January 19, 08:59 CET

Glad to hear someone say Elektra was enjoyable. Being an Alias fan, and a Jennifer Garner fan, I was disappointed hearing negative reviews. Given that I am totally ignorant of the comic character, my odds of enjoying it seem better.

I think I'll head out to see it this weekend.

Thanks for that SNT.

Angela | January 19, 09:17 CET

Weeell....now for the other end of the spectrum (we are becoming an Ebert-Roeper pair here I think SNT;-) as we already discussed I am quite familiar with the character as well and I was literally bleeding from the eyes and ears about halfway through. As a fan of the character, I couldn't believe how this got turned into an Oprah-Oxygen movie filled with hugs and cutesy moments. And this was the most inept super-ninja woman I've ever seen. Won't list examples, so as not to spoil people but I wondered how she survived in her business given some of the moments there.

Script-wise I don't know if I would have been more dissappointed if I knew nothing of the source material but I felt this made 'Van Helsing' look good. There's more lapses in logic and plotholes than I can list and everything is just....soo....watered down. Weak. And worse: cute. And Elektra looks like she's about to start crying about every 5 minutes. And the attempt at Zang Yimou-type of directing was a litle bit above the capabilities of the director here. Flying CGI sheets...not a good idea. But then the CGI overload nearly killed me anyway. The Hand are a joke, the fight scenes lacklustre and the ending....dear god. Was this an ending for 7th heaven or something?? And lines like "I only just found you", "You gave me back my life," - "You gave me back mine" would make me cringe in any other movie....but this was supposed to be Elektra. Elektra!!

One tiny ray of light: Terence Stamp. The script managed to get a lot wrong on Stick, but Mr Stamp would definitely still be my first choice to play him as well. The man managed to give his tiny part some dignity and power with what little he had to work with. Even in the most inane aaron-spelling-style final scene I've seen since...well, since Van Helsing.

Well, to each their own. Sorry SNT, wish I could've enjoyed it like you. I don't really like feeling this way after leaving the theater. Really not trying to be 'cool' here. I really, really wanted to like it. But I can't in all honesty and conscience recommend this to anyone. It's in the corner with Berry's 'Catwoman' as far as I'm concerned.

Btw my wife had no knowledge of the character but she felt it was one of the worst movies she'd seen in a while too, so it can't all be chalked up to me being too familiar with the original work. I have nothing against Jennifer, I like her fine, but I don't think this is her stepping stone to fame. (Given the reviews and the poor box-office, I don't think I'm a lone dissenting voice either)

EdDantes | January 19, 09:35 CET

Ah, Ed, I wondered when and what you would post. :)

Yes, I have to concur with most of your criticisms, informed as they are. I suppose my warmer reaction was based on two things: first, a reaction to the incredibly negative reviews, which immediately make one take a more charitable approach. And second, I thought the earlier scene-setting with her "work" and the house at the lake was pretty good. Can't disagree about the plot-holes and treacly ending, which a blind Stick could see coming a mile off. Guess I just wanted to offer an opinion that it had some things going for it, is all. Yeah, I would have done things differently, and goodness knows, she is not so recognisable as the E of the comics, but . . . can I just say that it was better than Underworld and leave it at that? (Now he's done it . . .) I suspect the vast majority of whedonesqueteers will be lining up in your corner, Ed, so no hard feelings, huh? (Although herb gave a decent appraisal I recall).

Angela, thank you for the support. Just don't blame me if you stalk out demanding cash back and the head of the director on a sai. :).

And I kinda liked the sheets . . . you didn't like the sheets? What are you, cool or something?

SoddingNancyTribe | January 19, 09:47 CET

Both you guys are so cool. But now I don't know whether I should go or not! ;)

Willowy | January 19, 10:07 CET

Ed was literally cringing throughout the whole movie. And he said he never wanted to walk out of a movie as much as that one. I offered, since it wasn't blowing my skirt up either, but he toughed it out til the end. That was an ouchie experience!

Rogue Slayer | January 19, 10:41 CET

"Yes, I have to concur with most of your criticisms, informed as they are. I suppose my warmer reaction was based on two things: first, a reaction to the incredibly negative reviews, which immediately make one take a more charitable approach"

I understand that. I too have that inclination of favoring the underdog. But I hadn't checked out any reviews, and the trailers started to look good, and I was actually expecting it to be pretty good. Which probably didn't help.

"And second, I thought the earlier scene-setting with her "work" and the house at the lake was pretty good."

The first 20% was probably the best, yes. Although a teenager being able to sneak up on her and stand behind her for a full minute without her noticing while staring over a quiet lake in the morning.....argn. Ninja my foot. And I already smelled the 'Cute-Doc-from-ER-snogging' coming up, hehe.

"can I just say that it was better than Underworld and leave it at that? (Now he's done it . . .) "

Hmmm....toughie. You know I only like the outfit from Underworld.....Well, I'd say Elektra annoyed me more because of the distance to the source material (Underworld had none of course), but Underworld was probably more boring. Toss-up for me.

" I suspect the vast majority of whedonesqueteers will be lining up in your corner, Ed, so no hard feelings, huh?"

Hard feelings? Please. We should be a two-man internet review-team! Ebert and Roeper got nothing on us. (plus, we're prettier!)

"And I kinda liked the sheets . . . you didn't like the sheets? What are you, cool or something?"

Well, I've seen 'Hero' and this was so blatantly an attempt to copy that, that it bugged me.(With sheets that were actually real and attached to something;-) As a director, Yimou kicks this guy's ass in so many ways I could fill this thread with it! Also? Since when do Masters of the Hand use their dark powers to make sheets float??

"Both you guys are so cool. But now I don't know whether I should go or not! ;)"

We are cool. Yes. That is true. It cannot be denied. Truthsayer, you. And wise and with great taste and insight;-)

Okay now I'm beginning to bug myself. And as for whether or not you should go....eh, who knows. It depends on what you expect out of it. I clearly had baggage going in, but then SNT did too and managed to enjoy it more. Then again my wife didn't and fared no better than me. (Although she says she had fun watching me cringe and weep...but then she's evil) But, no predicting that. Everbody's different an' all that stuff.

EdDantes | January 19, 10:43 CET

I'm so confused. I start feeling warm and fuzzy that while it wasn't a glowing review, SNT found some enjoyment. I trust his judgment.

Then, "I felt this made 'Van Helsing' look good" - EdDantes

That can't be possible can it?

Then, "can I just say that it was better than Underworld" - SNT

I really liked Underworld. *said in a tiny, barely audible voice*

I have stepped out of my Underworld-liking closet. I can take the heat.

"Btw my wife had no knowledge of the character but she felt it was one of the worst movies she'd seen in a while too" - EdDantes

So much for my knowing-nothing-about-the-character-helps theory.

I appreciated reading your impressions of the flick guys. Despite the fact that I'm now questioning going to see Elektra in the theater more than before reading this thread, I think you helped. Kinda. :)

Seriously, I like Jennifer. I'll spend the money, blame no one but myself, stamp all expectation into the gutter, and see what I think.

Angela | January 19, 11:21 CET

I also really liked Underworld, I have it on dvd. I did however hate Van Helsing and I find it very hard to believe that, to me, Elektra will make VH look good. I'm hoping my huge love of JG will help me to enjoy Elektra as I love comic book movies and various things have annoyed me in the recent Marvel adaptations but I've always managed to really enjoy them. Just have to look past the differences. It doesn't open over here til thursday so I might not see it 'til next week (the cinema is cheap here on wednesdays)

Paul_Rocks | January 19, 15:40 CET

I liked Underworld. But it could have been so much better.

Underworld was a nice hour and a half of entertainment, but once it was over it was forgotten, apart from the image of Kate in that costume.... where was I? Oh yeah, it had no substance, no emotionial impact.

But a great movie, and many BtVS episodes, have you sitting there for hours after thinking "How could she/he/they have done that?!" or whatever.

zz9 | January 19, 16:31 CET

Haven't seen Elektra - don't intend to see Elektra.

But to change the topic, anyone else notice that Beck's next movie is Ice Princess, MT's upcoming feature? Not that I see myself going to the cinema to see that either...

WWBD | January 19, 18:36 CET

Well, let me add to my 'makes Van Helsing look good' comment. It's probably as much of a toss up for me as between Underworld and Elektra.

Van Helsing was messier, (BOY was it messy) but Elektra has even more lapses in logic and such. (Not just plot. Even in fighting choreography.) The characters are pretty much as trite, and both movies had the potential to be GREAT if they had started with, oh I don't know....a good script? (sorry, still bitter). But the main comparison lies in that both movies end on the most sweetly cornball moments I can actually recall. And both movies that were supposed to be dark action movies. Van Helsing ends more sickeningly saccharine than 7th Heaven, and I guess Elektra's ending can be compared to....Full House? yeah. Sounds about right.

But really, everyone's different. Some people here liked Underworld. To each their own. Hey, I can give you a list of movies most people hate that I still enjoyed.

EdDantes | January 19, 23:39 CET