The Crow (1994 / 2024)

THE CROW (18)

D: Alex Proyas

Dimension (Edward R. Pressman & Jeff Most)

USA 🇺🇸 1994

100 mins

Fantasy/Crime/Horror

W: David J. Schow & John Shirley [based on the comic book by James O'Barr]

DP: Dariusz Wolski

Ed: Dov Hoenig & Scott Smith

Mus: Graeme Revell

PD: Alex McDowell

Cos: Arianne Phillips

Brandon Lee (Eric Draven), Michael Wincott (Top Dollar), Rochelle Davis (Sarah), Ernie Hudson (Albrecht), David Patrick Kelly (T-Bird), Michael Berryman (Skull Cowboy)

A stunningly gothic piece of comic book fantasy, which is also known for an unfortunate on-set accident which led to the death of the lead actor halfway through the shoot, meaning body doubles and digital effects had to be used to complete filming.

The movie itself is a fine piece of work, accomplished in bringing its dark anti-hero to the screen, a rock guitarist who returns from the dead, accompanied by a crow, to wreak revenge on those responsible for his murder and his girlfriend's.

The cult following speaks for itself.

7/10

THE CROW (12)

D: Rupert Sanders

Lionsgate / FilmNation / Hassell Free / The Electric Shadow Company / Davis Films / Pressman Films / 30West / Ashland Hill Media Finance / Maze / Occupant (Edward R. Pressman, Molly Hassell, John Jencks, Victor Hadida & Samuel Hadida)

US/UK/France 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇫🇷 2024

111 mins

Crime/Fantasy

W: Zach Baylin & William Schneider [based on characters created by James O’Barr]

DP: Steve Annis

Ed: Neil Smith & Chris Dickens

Mus: Volker Bertelmann

Bill Skarsgård (Eric Draven / The Crow), FKA Twigs (Shelly Webster), Danny Huston (Vincent Roeg), Josette Simon (Sophie Webster)

Another addition to the list of remakes nobody ever asked for, wanted or needed is this pathetic update of ‘The Crow’, which was originally brought to screen in 1994 and has gone on to be a bonafide cult classic.

In this version, Eric Draven is portrayed by Bill Skarsgård as a sulky emo who is constantly bullied, but finds love when he meets Shelly Webster at a rehab centre, which the two escape from together, fall in love and setting him up for revenge when she’s eventually murdered by a crime kingpin.

Skarsgård is terribly miscast here, but his performance can be forgiven when compared to FKA Twigs’ emotionless, dead-eyed performance, which begs the question why her character wasn’t dead in the film’s introduction, as was the case in the 1994 film.

Personally, I’m not a lover of The Crow like it’s hardcore fans are, but appreciate it for its visual style, if nothing else, and while I do think it’s placed a little high on the pedestal of ‘great comic book movies’, I would consider it a masterpiece next to this boring, depressing trash.

Amongst the worst films of 2024 - saved from being the worst comic book movie of the year because ‘Madame Web’ also sadly exists.

2/10