The Crow

The Crow videos

The Crow  Photos

Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for The Crow

Critic Reviews for The Crow

Audience Reviews for The Crow

• Jun 22, 2015

  As far as I can tell, yesterday was the first time I've actually seen this film. Obviously, throughout the years, there would be instances where I'd see the film on TV and I'd watch parts of it, but never from beginning to end. And I'm not particularly proud of myself for waiting so long to watch this movie, because it's a really damn good film. I don't proclaim to say that this is the most unique or subversive of revenge films, in fact it pretty much plays out exactly the way you would normally expect. With that said, I do think that its story, its lurid visuals, and its darkly comic tone were immensely satisfying. This is one one of my complaints I have, in general, with revenge films, and that is the fact that they let the ultra-violent approach get in the way of why the main character is doing what they're doing. Each bucket of blood completely tearing away at the film's, supposed, emotional core. While this movie is violent, not nearly the most violent film I've ever seen, they never once let you forget why Eric Draven is doing what he's doing. Every couple of scenes he'll have a flashback to a moment where he was alive and with his fiancee. So you're always fully aware of Eric's motivations and it sort of humanizes the character despite him going, pretty much, on a one-night killing spree. Granted, the people he kills are scumbags, but that is what he's doing. And Brandon Lee's performance is very good on top of that. It's not like he was the best actor or anything, but I do think he brought a lot of charisma and life to a character that, if performed in a completely different way, could've come across as really unlikable. I think he keeps the character grounded in something real, in spite of how over-the-top parts of the film can be. With that said, this very much feels like something out of a comic. I don't mean that in a derogatory fashion, but just the vibe it gives across screams comic. The big problem I have with the film is that the main villain, and Michael Wincott does give a great performance, getting his comeuppance isn't really as satisfying as his thugs being murder horribly was. He did give the order to his thugs to force Shelly, Eric's fiancee, to stop with her petition, but he wasn't present for the actual rape and murder of Shelly and Eric's murder. He just didn't feel connected to that act at all, even if he did give the order. That's probably one of the few flaws and there are some other issues having to do with the film being 20 years old and not aging well in some parts. There's also a good amount of comedy to the film, which certainly helped a lot to lighten things up in what is such a dark story. It has one of the best Jesus Christ jokes I've ever heard. I laughed and laughed and laughed. It'll upset the super religious of you who decided to watch this film. As an atheist, I have no such qualms about laughing at what some would consider to be a joke in poor taste regarding their chosen deity. Like I said, I'm really disappointed I waited so long to actually watch this film. It's really fucking good and it almost motivates me to check out the sequels. ALMOST, because I can sense that they would be horrible movies. Honestly, this is about due for a reboot. But, with that out of the way, this movie might not set the world on fire, even though it does so literally at times in the film, it's really good and I would give it an easy recommendation.

  

• Apr 28, 2013

  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]

  Super Reviewer

• Jul 27, 2012

  A dark, eerie, ominous feel from Alex Proyas, but a classic masterful performance by the late Brandon Lee. A cliche plot is covered by the star's excellence and dazzle-filled dialogue and execution. The Crow is a cult-film that continues to fascinate audience's to this day. 4/5

  Super Reviewer

• Jul 18, 2012

  The Crow could have been great, but was ruined by weak performances and ugly production values. The movie has a good, dark style but the makeup and special effects are a huge turn off. I was surprised at how disengaging the performances were as well, particularly Michael Wincott's who plays a very dull and tedious villain. If this movie were to be remade with a bigger budget, a more serious director, and a polished script, it would be so much better than what we have here. There are some cool scenes, but overall, I found The Crow to be a very poorly put together movie.

  Super Reviewer