Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Why the films Ghost Rider & Daredevil sucked it hardcore (an open letter to Mark Steven Johnson)


Dear Mark Steven Johnson,

I know you must think you have a very strong imagination to be both a writer and director, and I bet you're a real nice guy who’s fun to work with, but I just want to let you know you will go down in history as the man who ruined the mystique and grandeur behind characters such as Daredevil and Ghost Rider. Any respectable comic book fan, movie aficionado, or simply anyone that recognizes a decent film will tell you that you have failed miserably at helping these prolific characters stay respectable.

I know, it’s not all your fault. Marvel Studios, Columbia Pictures and the producers obviously are making these movies for a quick buck and not to tell an in depth, thought provoking story. If it wasn't you then it might have been some other hack director like Stephen Sommers or W.S Anderson, but unfortunately, you are the director and you are going to receive blame for accepting the role as the continued destructor of classic comic book characters.

In your new film Ghost Rider you tell the story of a man who sells his soul to the devil to gain supernatural powers. However perhaps it is you, Mark Steven Johnson who has sold your soul to the devil to help in your ascension towards becoming a big-budget formulaic, cliché and Hollywood-eske film director. Your films are the ultimate realization of how Hollywood can corrupt a genuine story for formulaic dreck. Your comic to film adaptations deviate so drastically from their original creative material, that they will always be a reminder of how big budget Hollywood films diminish strong plots, in depth character development, and coherent emotional storytelling. Yes, I understand these are comic book characters, and comics have always been bombastic and hyperbolic in nature, however both Daredevil’s and Ghost Rider’s comic book personas have real emotional depth with strong ties to relevant human regret and sacrifice. These anti-heroes remind us of our frailties and how our dark sides can control us if we are not careful. But you diminish these characters by portraying them as being comical, unrealistic, and one dimensional. Just because Ghost Rider has a flaming skull you shouldn't have to point out the obvious and allow him to say "feel’s like my skull’s on fire". This may be acceptable for comic book characters who are meant to be portrayed as satirical such as Deadpool and Hellboy, but for serious characters such as Daredevil and Ghost Rider, who have a strong history of being dark, moody, intense and relevant you're just destroying their legacy.

So here is my suggestion: please stop accepting directing roles for classic comic book characters such as Daredevil and Ghost Rider and accept roles for films your better suited for. You’re obviously very good at Hollywoodizing film plots so stick with it. Just please stay away from comic book films that should be crafted delicately with justifiable plot substance, and not just glazed over. Stick to the casual and lighthearted films you’re used to like “Jack Frost” and “Grumpier Old Men”. People need a good laugh and you sure do provide it with those oh so classy films. Believe me I am not just saying this as a comic book fan, but as a movie fan, or better yet, and fan of original, insightful, tangible, un-formulaic films. So please, on behalf of comic book fans and movie fans around the world, QUIT PATRONIZING US AND ADMIT YOU’RE A HACK. Thank you.

Sincerely,
J.Stone


P.S. I posted this rant on IMDB because you are not cool until you post on IMDB;
http://imdb.com/name/nm0425756/board/nest/67155013