Review of The Crow (1994) by Russell G — 11 Dec 2011

A spectacular, action-packed, gothic cult classic that is brilliantly directed by Alex Proyas with the late Brandon Lee's sensationally vibrant performance, he delivers a charismatic star-making turn as Eric Draven, a young rock guitarist who along with his lovely fiancee was brutally murdered by inner-city thugs working for a depraved incestuous crime lord named Top Dollar, played with great menace by the gravel voiced character actor Michael Wincott, who creates one of the most memorable screen villains of the decade.

One year after his death he rises from the grave seeking vengeance; he is guided by a mysterious spectral crow which makes him invincible, he is out to kill everyone of the sadistic scum that took his life and that of his lady love, based on the graphic comic book series by James O' Barr with superb performances from the the entire cast which includes Ernie Hudson, David Patrick Kelly, Angel David, Rochelle Davis, Ling Bai, Michael Massee, Jon Polito, and Tony Todd.

There is a great urban-hell production design by Alex McDowell, a visual compelling film thanks to neo-expressionistic cinematography by Dariusz Wolski that help create a hypnotic, dark atmosphere of a doom society without hope, the talented Brandon Lee was the son of the late great Martial Arts legend Bruce Lee, he sadly was killed during the filming of this movie in a freak on set accident, "The Crow" is a tragic but fitting memorial to the young Lee who was only 28-years-old at the time of his death, he could have been a major star had he lived, the film is dedicated to Lee and his fiancee Eliza.

A genuinely nightmarish motion picture that is a milestone in its genre. Highly Recommended.