SJ Live-Action Movie and Last Night's Episode (SJ VI)

[PeppeRaskell1]

What a crazy week it's been for us "SJ" fans!

First, there was last night's episode, in which Jack blows yet another chance to go back to the past, courtesy of Aku/Ikra, and we learn about the two true weaknesses in Jack that will keep him lost in the future and/or kill him: his naivete and his eagerness. Did anyone notice how he ignored the shopkeeper's warning about "the evil," or that the shape of Ikra's outfit looked like Aku's silhouette? I couldn't believe he'd let himself get taken in like that! I was FLOORED!!!

And a live-action movie?!? No way!!! I just hope the movie will be every bit as faithful to Genndy's cartoon, split-screens, music, and all.

--PeppeRaskell1

"Jack, do you like living in the future, or do you just have a memory problem?!?"

[Joe Tully]

Yes, and there was also the mouse's reaction when Ikra tried to feed it. Plus they both had the same colors. I think that most of us had an idea of what was going on, though it was still a good story. And yet again, the presentation was beautiful.

[PeppeRaskell1]

Originally posted by Joe Tully
Yes, and there was also the mouse's reaction when Ikra tried to feed it. Plus they both had the same colors. I think that most of us had an idea of what was going on, though it was still a good story. And yet again, the presentation was beautiful.

Well, I agree with you on the presentation, it was beautiful. And next week's episode sounds like it's gonna be fun (Jack in gangster pinstripes! Cool!)

Gotta run. I've got "Lodoss" on Reactor!

"Jack, do you like living in the future, or do you just have a memory problem?!?"

[mbaker]

This is so typical of Hollywood. A live action Samurai Jack is a bad idea. The show's drawing style is what gives it such a unique look! take that away, and all you get is another box office extravaganza! I would assume that if an animated Samurai Jack film would be made, it would go straight-to-video, as, from what I've learned about the hypocritical double standard Hollywood has about animation. Samurai Jack is not a cartoon for kids, (At least it's not just for kids.) and "adult" animated films fare very poorly at the North American box office. (North American Box office totals: Final Fantasy: $36.1 million; Titan A.E.: $22.7 million; Atlantis: $83.8 (poor for a Disney film). Source: Box Office Guru.) The only exceptions, in recent years, were the Beavis and Butthead and South Park films, which had built-in audiences from the TV shows, but these were only moderate successes in that they made back more money (Domestic B.O.: Bevis & Butthead $63 million; South Park $52 million) than the studios spent on production, advertising & prints. Okay, Samurai Jack also has a built-in audience from the TV show, but it's a cult audience much smaller than South Park probably nowhere near the critical mass required for the film to be profitable in theatres. Plus, Samurai Jack is an animated action-adventure type show, not an animated comedy, which is another strike against it. And there aren't any big celebrity voices. (Except for Phil LaMarr, and Mako) The sad truth is that the mainstream filmgoing adult audience not previously familiar with the Samurai Jack show would be much more likely to watch a live action Samurai Jack film than an animated one. If you want to see an animated Samurai Jack film, it would have to be straight-to-video or straight-to-cable, where New Line wouldn't have nearly the same amount of overhead costs as if they'd release it to theatres. Anime News Network had an excellent editorial on the mainstream audience's aversion to "mature" animated films at

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/arch...nalfantasy.php

Somehow I have a bad feeling that Genndy Tartakovski has sold out. Genndy, I love you, but please don't do this! At least the Powerpuff Girls movie will be animated. Jack should be animated as well. It's bad enough we had two Flintstones movies in live action (Gazoo shows up before Pebbles was born?!? Please!) and A live action Scooby-Doo film coming out next year. Cartoons do not translate well into live action. Comic Books, yes (If done in the right hands.) old sitcoms, maybe. But not cartoons!!!! Live action is a totaly different animal. Would you see a live action Mickey Mouse, or Bugs Bunny? I rest my case.

[Sharklady]

On the other hand, the live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles did pretty well.

Maybe martial artists have an edge?

[CookieS]

Like a lot of cartoon-base movies, I think the Samurai Jack film will have hints and the same plot, but end up looking nothing like Samurai Jack. Who knows. New Line Cinema is a good company, so it might just work out.

[Joe Tully]

I don't think that Genndy has sold out by this live-action movie, because it was not his decision. While SJ is his creation, he doesn't have control over it, CN does.

I think that any live action movie will probably miss the mark. A lot of SJ is about the unique style, which will be automatically lost in any live action version. But who knows, it is possible that they could do a good job of it. I am looking forward to the animated version a lot though. I think that an animated SJ movie could be good for animation in general in many ways.

[Calhoun07]

I think if a live action SJ movie is going to work, it's going to take some revolutionary cinematography and it has to stand out as an unique and exceptional movie. The main thing that makes SJ a great show on CN is it's stylisitically different and visually striking. It's story doesn't rely on dialogue to drive it forward. It's a very action oriented show. From the different styles of camera shots and the various ways they split the images up on the screen at times, I want to see them preserve that for the live action movie. And I want to see the most unique and different settings in this movie than we have seen in any movie before it. If done right, SJ could set a new standard above and beyond the Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Of course, I also think it would take quite a bit of money, but even if the movie doesn't fare well in America, it has over seas markets yet to make money in.

Done right, and I really don't know who I'd pick to helm this movie, I'd have to think about it some more, this movie could break barriers and set new standards. This movie has the potential to just blow minds in the same way Blade did.