The Crow
3.5/4
Starring: Brandon Lee, Rochelle Davis, Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott
Rated R for A Great Amount of Strong Violence and Language, and for Drug Use and Some Sexuality
Revenge movies serve one purpose: to vicariously enjoy seeing the hero dish out a super cold dish of revenge. "The Crow" is a superior revenge movie; a dark and hellish adrenaline rush that is surprisingly touching. And not just because star Brandon Lee died tragically during the shoot.
Rock star Eric Draven (Lee) is a very happy man. He's about to marry his one true love, Shelly Webster (Sofia Shinas). Sadly, the night before they walk down the aisle, they are attacked in their loft and brutally murdered by a gang of vicious thugs. One year later, a crow brings Eric out of his eternal slumber to get revenge on those who put him in the ground.
This is one seriously bleak movie. The film takes place almost exclusively at night and in the rain, and the majority of the characters are bloodthirsty psychopaths. The exceptions are Sally (Davis), a young girl who was looked after by Eric and Shelly since her mother is a drug addict, and Albrecht (Hudson), a sympathetic police officer. They are the light in the dark...literally.
As much as it pains me, I can't rave about Brandon Lee's performance in his final film role. It would be the polite thing to do, but the the truth is that he's uneven. In the quieter scenes, he's credible, but there are times when he gets hammy. He does have screen presence, which helps a lot. Rochelle Davis gives the best performance as Sally, a tough yet vulnerable young girl who misses her friends. The bulk of the film's emotional component comes from her. Ernie Hudson is also very good as Albrecht, the ex-detective who knows all to well what's going on. Michael Wincott, with his smoky voice, makes for a good villain.
This was the American debut of Alex Proyas, who went on to direct "Dark City" and "I, Robot." This is a triumph of visual style. It's truly dazzling work, although in an ultra-grim sort of way. Proyas' work brings to mind "Seven" and "Sin City," served up with a huge dish of depression. Proyas wanted to do the film in black and white, but the studio wouldn't allow him to do so. Surprisingly, this works better. Proyas doesn't overdo the CGI either. Although the camera tours through the city are computer generated (but are gorgeous and realistic), the director gets his atmosphere from skilled shot selection and Dariusz Wolski's energetic cinematography.
What really surprised me about "The Crow" is how touching it was. I really believed in the relationship between Eric, Shelly and Sally. I wouldn't be surprised if viewers actually teared up a few times during this movie. Although Lee's limitations as an actor hamper the emotionality a little (a little more depth into the trio's relationship would have helped too), this is a film that touches the heart as it raises the adrenaline. Definitely highly recommended.
Starring: Brandon Lee, Rochelle Davis, Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott
Rated R for A Great Amount of Strong Violence and Language, and for Drug Use and Some Sexuality
Revenge movies serve one purpose: to vicariously enjoy seeing the hero dish out a super cold dish of revenge. "The Crow" is a superior revenge movie; a dark and hellish adrenaline rush that is surprisingly touching. And not just because star Brandon Lee died tragically during the shoot.
Rock star Eric Draven (Lee) is a very happy man. He's about to marry his one true love, Shelly Webster (Sofia Shinas). Sadly, the night before they walk down the aisle, they are attacked in their loft and brutally murdered by a gang of vicious thugs. One year later, a crow brings Eric out of his eternal slumber to get revenge on those who put him in the ground.
This is one seriously bleak movie. The film takes place almost exclusively at night and in the rain, and the majority of the characters are bloodthirsty psychopaths. The exceptions are Sally (Davis), a young girl who was looked after by Eric and Shelly since her mother is a drug addict, and Albrecht (Hudson), a sympathetic police officer. They are the light in the dark...literally.
As much as it pains me, I can't rave about Brandon Lee's performance in his final film role. It would be the polite thing to do, but the the truth is that he's uneven. In the quieter scenes, he's credible, but there are times when he gets hammy. He does have screen presence, which helps a lot. Rochelle Davis gives the best performance as Sally, a tough yet vulnerable young girl who misses her friends. The bulk of the film's emotional component comes from her. Ernie Hudson is also very good as Albrecht, the ex-detective who knows all to well what's going on. Michael Wincott, with his smoky voice, makes for a good villain.
This was the American debut of Alex Proyas, who went on to direct "Dark City" and "I, Robot." This is a triumph of visual style. It's truly dazzling work, although in an ultra-grim sort of way. Proyas' work brings to mind "Seven" and "Sin City," served up with a huge dish of depression. Proyas wanted to do the film in black and white, but the studio wouldn't allow him to do so. Surprisingly, this works better. Proyas doesn't overdo the CGI either. Although the camera tours through the city are computer generated (but are gorgeous and realistic), the director gets his atmosphere from skilled shot selection and Dariusz Wolski's energetic cinematography.
What really surprised me about "The Crow" is how touching it was. I really believed in the relationship between Eric, Shelly and Sally. I wouldn't be surprised if viewers actually teared up a few times during this movie. Although Lee's limitations as an actor hamper the emotionality a little (a little more depth into the trio's relationship would have helped too), this is a film that touches the heart as it raises the adrenaline. Definitely highly recommended.
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