Review of The Crow (1994) by Will H — 26 Jan 2012

The Crow, based on James O'Barr's graphic novel of the same name, was the breakout Hollywood film of director Alex Proyas, and is a film that is almost impossible to judge fairly. The movie, as most know, was made under extremely unfortunate and extenuating circumstances, as its star, Brandon Lee (son of Bruce), was tragically killed by an accidental gunshot wound on the set of the film itself.

Despite Lee not finishing his scenes, Miramax ponied up some extra cash, and screenwriters David J. Schow and John Shirley made some script alterations, and despite the setbacks, The Crow arrived in theaters at the beginning of the summer 1994 movie season.

And at the time of its release, it was arguably the best comic-to-film adaptation since Richard Donner's Superman. Proyas succeeded in creating a dark, well-made, visually arresting, and eerily poetic action picture that not only does justice to the comic it was based on, but also serves as a somewhat eerie and ironic yet ultimately fitting epitaph for its late star.

Proyas' visual style evokes the mood of Tim Burton's Batman and some of the metropolitan dystopia of Blade Runner, which is only bolstered by Graeme Revell's Vangelis-like score and Dariusz Wolski's dark and bleak cinematography.

However, The Crow actually is a darker story than either of those films, and is told in a more ferocious and grungy manner. Lee, elevated by his passing in an already-mesmerizing performance, becomes a haunting figure, traipsing in and out of his scenes with a poetic ferocity and dry comic wit, as he truly embodies the tragedy and vengeful resurrection of Eric Draven in every way, as he hunts down the thugs who raped and murdered him and his wife one year earlier on Devil's Night.

The thugs are generic evil bastards, but they still serve the film well, and their boss, Top Dollar, is played by Michael Wincott, who suffices as a crafty and treacherous antagonist. Ernie Hudson turns in a strong supporting turn as Officer Albrecht, acting as the viewer identification, and young Rochelle Davis turns in some surprisingly strong work as little Sarah, friend of Eric and Shelly.

However, for all the praise I've heaped on it, The Crow is far from perfect, though how much of the blame can be given to Proyas and the writers is debatable. The movie is more a series of great scenes and action sequences than a coherent, sum-of-its-parts story, mostly because of the scenes that weren't shot before Lee's death, and the beginning is extremely abrupt and may even alienate some viewers.

However, don't let this dissuade you from seeing The Crow, as it is one of the darkest, most visually interesting, and finest action pictures of the past 20 years, and certainly sends Lee (RIP) out with an explosive bang.