Writer: David J Schow, John Shirley (Screenplay) James O’Barr (Comic Book Characters)
Starring: Brandon Lee, Rochelle Davis, Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott, Bai Ling, Sofia Shinas, Anna Levine, David Patrick Kelly, Tony Todd
Plot: A man brutally murdered comes back to life as an undead avenger of his and his fiancée’s murder.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Spiritual Revenge film
Story: The Crow starts on the Devil’s Night 30th October where we learn the legend of the Crow returning to avenge their death, where a young couple Eric Draven (Lee) and Shelly (Shinas) get attacked and murdered on the verge of their wedding day. Shelly’s last wish is to protect Sarah (Davis) which Sergeant Albrecht (Hudson) does his best too.
One year later Eric returns from his grave summoned by The Crow where he has t re-live the death he suffered the year before. Guided by The Crow Eric tracks down the hooligans lead by Top Dollar (Wincott) that like to go around causing damage and death without a care in the world.
The Crow brings the old school revenge film from the comic book genre and makes it slick stylish and cool. We have seen plenty of revenge films from people who have just survived an attack or lost people in an attack etc etc, but this brings our hero back from the dead. I will say the style of picking the villains off one by one is easy style to achieve without really challenging us but I also feel we didn’t need much else from the story on that front. I will always praise this film because it has that style that can’t be replicated and will always go down as a classic. (8/10)
Actor Review
Brandon Lee: Eric Draven is the man who gets murdered on the eve of his wedding, one year later he returns to avenge the death of him and his lover. He is now un-killable despite taking countless bullets from the enemy. Brandon gave us a great final performance before the tragic accident on the set of this very film. (8/10)
Rochelle Davis: Sarah is the young lady Eric has returned to protected, she lives on the street and was good friends with Eric and Shelly. She gets a chance to say goodbye to her old friend when he comes to her rescue putting her life back on the right path. Rochelle does a solid job in the role but doesn’t fully convince in the role. (5/10)
Ernie Hudson: Sergeant Albrecht is the cop who gets the call to the murder and once Eric returns from the dead he goes against orders to Eric complete his revenge mission while cleaning up the streets in his own way. Ernie gives a good supporting performance throughout the film. (7/10)
Michael Wincott: Top Dollar is the leader of the gang who put the hit on anyone inside the apartment, he is very spiritual and doesn’t care who he kills to get everything he believes in his to take. Michael makes for a good villain of the piece that is over the top at times but the character required it. (7/10)
Support Cast: The Crow has a supporting cast the includes the villains the Eric starts to take out one by one, they are all created to be unlikeable.
Director Review: Alex Proyas – Alex gives us a great film that will live long in the memory. (8/10)
Action: The Crow is filled with action sequences that used to kill off one of the bad guys. (8/10)
Fantasy: The Crow brings us into a world of reincarnation with Eric coming back from beyond the grave to kill his killers. (9/10)
Settings: The Crow creates a very dark setting for all the action happening showing us just how dangerous the city really is. (9/10)
Special Effects: The Crow has great special effects even if the most part is just the explosions. (7/10)
Suggestion: The Crow is one I feel everyone should have watched at least once, it really is a classic revenge film. (Watch)
Best Part: Crow in flames.
Worst Part: Slightly generic supporting villains.
Action Scene Of The Film: Final fight.
Kill Of The Film: T-Bird
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: Part one of 4
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $50 Million
Budget: $15 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 42 Minutes
Tagline: Real love is forever.
Overall: Classic Revenge Film that will live long in the memory.
Rating