Witchblade - O Filme

Movies based on Comic Book adaptations seem to come in two categories: 1) Those that approach the material with a half-hearted, tongue-n-cheek attitude; not really taking the genre very seriously (Batman & Robin, Supergirl, Spawn) and 2) Those that approach the material with a serious, realistic and dark approach (X-Men, Rocketeer, & the Shadow). TNT's adaptation of the Image/Top Cow comic Witchblade falls into the later category. However, in deciding to strip down Witchblade and make it more realistic and non-comic like, TNT has come up with a movie that fails to interest those new to the series and appease those expecting the same type of dark story telling of creator's Marc Silvestri and David Wohl. Although Yancy Butler fills "the glove" well, she doesn't really bring anything new to the character. The story is tired, and disappointingly mundane. The gangster storyline seems a ripoff of so many other Cop vs. Mafia themed stories. The action sequences are particularly boring. Aren't we all tired of the rip-off Matrix effects by now. Witchblade is a surprisingly lackluster pilot and does not really inspire non-fans of the comic, like myself, from wanting to pick up any current issues or tune into any future episodes of the cable series.

Young New York detective Sara Pezzini (Yancy Butler) is a chosen one. Clichéd, but true. In a pursuit of finding a murderer of her best childhood friend Sara gains a mystical amulet called the Witchblade, which has a ability of protecting her and arming her with a huge blade. At the same time a mysterious man is deeply interested about all this.

"Witchblade" is a TV movie based on a comic book by same name. As for TV movies go, Withcblade is actually quite enjoyable, though the smaller budget does show albeit the actors do carry the cliché ridden story quite well. This movie apparently was an introductory for a TV series with the same name and cast and that actually does show. It basically introduces all the characters and ends into a notion, that this all will continue and apparently it did.

This movie has some rather silly cuts and segments in it, like from some reason, probably just to add some more length into it, there are couple of short clips of Sara's untextured 3D model running. And some rather annoying music video style cuts and segments and a very, very silly training montage. I could go on and on, but I wont.

When you look under the bottom line, you'll get okay TV action movie. The script, even though not stellar, does work reasonably well, the actors are okay and the action is entertaining enough. And from a TV-series promo it's actually hard to ask anything more.

Regardless of other comments, Yancey is not the classic beauty queen, but she is plumb sexy. I have enjoyed her in Mann and Machine, and Brooklyn South, in addition to several movies. This is entertainment folks, not literature. Rate it for what it is. I would hope that someone has sense enough to make this a series. It sure would beat some of the garbage out there such as Dharma and Greg, etc, others of that genre.

The guy who posted the first comments must have been unaware that the Witchblade Pilot was in the can before the premier of the Matrix. He should have read the comics which were written YEARS before the Matrix before he made his ludicrous comments.

This series was an action packed foray through history and lore as we watch Sara learn to use the powers of the Witchblade in her police work.

Yancy Butler does a great job in portraying the reluctant detective that finds herself bound to the mystical Witchblade... a weapon that can be wielded only by a woman of the artifact's choosing. She can see the past, future and the dead. These abilities to see reality from beyond the scope of normal perception can aide her if she can clear her mind of confusion long enough for her to utilize them.

the best thing about the show was the low amount of digital effects they would use. Yes, they dropped in the Matrix freezes and did not overuse the bullet time effects. Yancy Butler not only looked a lot like the comic version, but her eyes and voice was exactly what the character needed. You could never put a blonde with a sqeaky voice in the same role.

If you have never seen the show, the location shots were beautiful. Plus the skyline shots with the Twin Towers hits close to the heart. I hate all those people who wanted to remove Tower visuals from movies in the DVD versions.

Oh, and the action and belly shirts were great.