As someone who came of age during the early 2000s, I can confidently say that my edgy teenager days were filled with movies like “The Matrix” and “The Dark Knight”. So when I heard about this new adaptation of “The Crow“, I wasn’t exactly jumping at the chance to revisit the gothic stylings of the original. But alas, curiosity got the best of me, and I found myself in a theater seat on opening night.
In terms of selecting movies for remakes, the rule often followed is that those with promising storylines but flawed execution tend to gain the most from a redo. Contrarily, Alex Proyas’ 1994 adaptation of “The Crow” seems an unlikely choice for remaking: on paper, it appears as a common revenge plot, yet it gained cult status despite its flaws due to its striking gothic visuals, a powerful soundtrack, and a captivating lead performance by Brandon Lee, who tragically passed away during filming. Given that the original’s charm largely stemmed from its unique 1990s aesthetics and the charismatic actor who brought it to life, it seems questionable why one would remake “The Crow” without preserving these essential elements.
It’s likely that director Rupert Sanders and screenwriters Will Schneider and Zach Baylin (with a bit more Oscar recognition than you might expect for this project) would argue that the 2024 version of “The Crow” isn’t a rehash of the 1994 film but rather another interpretation of James O’Barr’s original comic series. This new adaptation, though, is quite different from the source material, so fans of the comic might not be more welcoming than those who enjoyed the movie. As for me, I haven’t read the comic and have no personal connection to the original film – if you were a teen in 1994, it probably seemed incredibly edgy (until “Pulp Fiction” hit theaters five months later), but I was just a toddler then. Watching it now, after 30 years, I can’t help but think that my favorite edgy teenage picks (“The Matrix,” “The Dark Knight,” Quentin Tarantino’s works, etc.) still hold more appeal for me.
I’m inclined to find a fresh perspective on “The Crow,” and I believe the makers of this new version have one commendable idea: they want to delve deeper into Eric (Bill Skarsgård) and Shelly’s (FKA Twigs) relationship before their tragic deaths and Eric’s resurrection for revenge. The original ’94 film characters felt more like vessels for personal feelings about grief than individuals we could truly mourn, so there’s potential for enhancement in that aspect. Unfortunately, almost every other choice made in this remake seems to contradict the principles of compelling drama, enjoyable entertainment, and positive messaging.
Little action and zero style
The 1994 film “The Crow” is an action-revenge movie where the invincible undead protagonist seeks vengeance on criminals with ironic methods, reflecting on love and loss while occasionally playing the guitar. Conversely, the 2024 version of “The Crow” takes a considerable amount of time to become an action film, with the main character not starting his revenge until nearly an hour into the movie. The major fights are saved for the last act, and they have already been shown in trailers. While the gruesome opera house brawl is enjoyable, it comes too late to save the movie. Essentially, Topher Florence’s tweet about “Surf Dracula” remains one of the most influential pieces of media criticism today.
In contrast to the original “Crow” set within a perpetual rainy nighttime universe reminiscent of Tim Burton’s “Batman” films, the new version appears to be grounded in a world that resembles reality. The visuals are sleek but lack depth, with only the opening credits sequence displaying a Fincher-esque style. The music, reflecting the waning influence of rock ‘n roll in popular culture, doesn’t leave a lasting impact. Moreover, casting Eric to look like Jared Leto’s Joker is certainly an interesting decision.
Instead, let’s set aside discussions about similarities to the original piece. So, does anything presented here stand independently as a unique tale? Regrettably, not quite…
The wrong crow died
When evaluating the remake independently from the original, it becomes evident that there’s an issue with the main character choice. In contrast to Bill Skarsgård’s Eric, FKA Twigs’ Shelly is more captivating in the initial romantic drama setting. Despite both characters being troubled drug addicts, Eric seems gloomy while Shelly exudes charm, as illustrated by their distinctive tattoos: hers reads “Laugh Now, Cry Later,” and his says “Cry Now, Cry Later.” Moreover, Shelly has a tangible relationship with the film’s antagonists, which adds complexity to her character. Unlike the typical gangsters from the comic and previous movie, the main antagonist here is Vincent Roeg (played by Danny Huston), a satanic figure who controls innocent women to send them to Hell and prolong his own existence.
In a different interpretation aimed at making the story more feminist-inclined, altering the literal rape in the comic and old movie with a supernatural metaphor could be seen. However, if this was indeed a genuine feminist perspective, wouldn’t Shelly be the one revived by the crow spirit instead of Eric? She, after all, has stronger reasons for revenge than he does, and a storyline similar to “Jessica Jones” would be more captivating.
It seems uncertain to me which audience the remake of “The Crow” is intended for. Neither contemporary teenagers who value edginess nor original fans seeking nostalgia are likely to find this film appealing, and there doesn’t appear to be any other demographic that would be interested enough to purchase a ticket.
“The Crow” opens in theaters on August 23.
- The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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2024-08-23 02:30