League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

I've spent the better part of the last 15 minutes trying write a cogent, well-thought-through review of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

But I'm not smart enough.

I'll say that very rarely do I get so self-righteous that I'm offended by a movie. But League really insulted me. Partly because I really enjoyed Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill's original comic series. But mostly because I'm able to see plot holes. Especially ones big enough to drive a huge-ass submarine from London to Paris through.

Can I just ask if I look grotesquely stupid? Can I not be expected to understand the concept of an invisible man?

Let me just get this straight: The guy is sneaking around in a submarine taking daguerreotype photos with the magnesium flashpans, and nobody notices?

All in all, League is a disappointment. Mainly because Alan Moore's original source material is so good. Among the best comic stuff out there. I recommend you pick it up and give it a look. It's not your typical comic book.

It's disappointing because James Robinson, a decent comic writer in his own right, adapted it for the screen. If anyone should have respected the source, then it should have been Robinson.

Mainly, it's a disappointment because there are so many good comic books out there that wouldn't make bad movies. But when a studio takes the really good ones and turn them into bullshit flicks like League, it makes it less and less likely that the really good properties will get made.

And here's the thing: since the success of the X-Men and Spider-Man movies, the rights to a lot of stuff have been snatched up. I feel like the really good ones will now languish in limbo, while studios pass them by because people were so turned off by this garbage flick, but hold onto the rights just the same.

In the end. Save your ships. Save yourself. Avoid League at All Costs!