Critics Have Seen The Crow Remake, And It’s Being Called A ‘Lifeless’ And ‘Pointless’ Goth Superhero Flick

Critics Have Seen The Crow Remake, And It's Being Called A 'Lifeless' And 'Pointless' Goth Superhero Flick

As a hardcore gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I have seen more than my fair share of remakes and reboots in various forms of entertainment. The latest addition to this seemingly endless list is the much-anticipated (or perhaps dreaded) remake of “The Crow“. Having grown up watching the original 1994 film starring Brandon Lee, I was intrigued by the prospect of a new take on this classic tale. However, after reading numerous reviews from some of the most respected voices in the industry, my initial excitement has been replaced with a sense of disappointment and bewilderment.


As a die-hard fan of the original “The Crow” movie from the 90s and having eagerly awaited this remake for years, I must admit my disappointment upon hearing the early reviews of the upcoming adaptation. Having grown up watching Brandon Lee’s iconic portrayal of Eric Draven and being captivated by the dark, brooding tale of love, loss, and revenge, I had high hopes for Bill Skarsgård to bring the same intensity and emotion to the role.

Kick off with our review of “The Crow” by TopMob, penned by Eric Eisenberg. He bestowed a lowly 1.5 out of 5 stars on the film, questioning the lengthy process behind its remake. In simpler terms, he wondered aloud why it took so long to bring this remake to life.

The proposed retelling of Eric Draven’s tale lacked a fresh perspective or compelling screenplay voice, as indicated by numerous filmmakers who took up the project and then departed, suggesting that there was no unique vision to bring to life. Essentially, this remake seems unnecessary, and the fact that it exists may only serve to prevent further discussions about potential new adaptations, allowing us to return to admiring the original unadulterated version instead.

Rupert Sanders’ adaptation of “The Crow” follows decades of Hollywood attempts to revive the character for the big screen, since Brandon Lee’s memorable portrayal in the 1994 film. Over time, actors like Mark Wahlberg, Bradley Cooper, Channing Tatum, Ryan Gosling, and James McAvoy were linked to potential remakes, but this version finally took flight in 2022. With so much time passing, viewers are left perplexed as to why “The Crow” was revived again, as The Guardian put it.

In simpler terms, the film lacks any compelling emotional pull or drive. It’s like watching an uninspiring behind-the-scenes footage of two actors who seem devoid of life, posing for a mediocre perfume commercial. Skarsgård performs well in action scenes, showing physical prowess and dedication, but his monotonous portrayal falls short when it comes to filling the gaps with depth. Twigs’ performance is as lifeless as a corpse, failing to convey any emotion that would make her death seem tragic or worth fighting for.

Regardless of the actors playing The Crow, comparisons between Skarsgård and Lee were inevitable. However, the remarks about the remake suggest that the theater-going experience might not be particularly enjoyable, as Rolling Stone put it, the film is less than captivating.

From an execution standpoint, the focus on Alexander Skarsgård and FKA Twigs softly exchanging insignificant words resembles a blend between a misguided seductive perfume advertisement and discarded scenes from a unsuccessful Young Adult series, and it comes across as remarkably slow-paced.

Isn’t it interesting how two reviewers compared the film to a perfume advertisement? After all, the central storyline revolves around a musician who was murdered and brought back to life to seek vengeance for his own death and that of his fiancée, played by FKA Twigs. Slashfilm also described it as “uninspired” in their critique.

As a gamer, I can’t help but feel underwhelmed by this movie. It lacks the energy and vividness that should pulse through its veins. The story of Eric feels flat, and there’s no emotional investment to be found in his journey. Instead of feeling gripped by the consequences of his violence, it all seems pointless, as if it were just checked off a list. Much like many remakes, The Crow appears to have been hastily thrown together without much thought or passion.

Despite garnering a low approval rating from most critics, as The Crow currently holds a 13% Rotten Tomatoes score, one critic at Collider has offered an alternate perspective on the film. This reviewer, who admits to enjoying movies such as Underworld, Hellboy, Blade, and Queen of the Damned (all from the ’90s and ’00s), found merit in the movie for evoking the emo melodrama that brings nostalgia for a new generation. In her words:

As a child of the ’90s, I grew up watching the original film and cherishing its unique charm. Fast forward to today, having become part of Gen Z, I found myself eagerly anticipating this sequel, hoping it would capture the essence of my youth while speaking to my current generation. Alas, what I saw was a film that seemed more focused on delivering cheese, awkward dialogue, and a storyline relying heavily on vibes rather than substance. It’s disappointing because I had hoped for something that resonated with me as a member of Gen Z, but instead, it felt like the creators missed the mark.

Despite my excitement for the film, I must admit that I couldn’t wholeheartedly recommend it due to its weak world-building and noticeable narrative gaps. There’s still a chance that The Crow could grow into a cult classic, but for now, these initial impressions suggest it might be wise to give it a pass.

Hey there fellow gamer! I’ve got some exciting news for you – I just can’t wait to dive into Zoë Kravitz’s Blink Twice, a film that left critics thoroughly entertained! This weekend, it joins the ranks of the latest movies hitting the big screen as we approach the twilight of the summer movie season. If you’re looking for something fresh to add to your gaming-inspired cinema collection, then you won’t want to miss out on both The Crow and Blink Twice!

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2024-08-23 03:37