As a longtime fan of the original “The Crow“, I must admit that this reboot left me feeling as lifeless as one of Eric Draven’s victims. Having grown up with Brandon Lee’s portrayal, it was impossible not to compare the two, and unfortunately, Bill Skarsgård’s performance pales in comparison.
In a stylishly dark reimagining, The Crow suffers from a disappointing revamp that fails in almost every aspect compared to its esteemed predecessor. Bill Skarsgård steals the show, outperforming co-star FKA Twigs in an overt manner which undermines the main narrative’s core. They both embody their roles convincingly with dyed hair, piercings, and tattoos, but their lackluster on-screen chemistry is evident against a script that’s thin on character depth and rich in grandiose performances. The slow-moving plot wears down the audience as it takes an eternity to unfold its familiar storyline.
In the fifth film of the franchise, a tamer portrayal is given to the violent original crime that triggers a supernatural revival. The casual entry of an insignificant antagonist, who lacks the menace to instill fear, sets the stage for this narrative. Initially, Shelly (Twigs), a gifted pianist with a veiled history, is already in seclusion. She receives an urgent call from a friend (Isabella Wei) revealing the true powers of Vincent Roeg (Danny Huston), a crime lord and patron of classical music. Recognizing the imminent danger, Shelly and Eric (Skarsgård) are compelled to flee once more.
In a sequence of events, Shelly finds herself admitted into a psychiatric facility. There, she becomes captivated by Eric, a tall, reserved man adorned with tattoos. Despite being subjected to persistent bullying due to his quiet demeanor, Eric remains unfazed. However, this reservedness fades away in the presence of Shelly’s charm. They quickly fall deeply in love and vow to stand by each other forever.
True Love Shattered
After our daring getaway, Shelly and I found ourselves living in a whirlwind of passion. She crafted melodies to complement my melancholic verses. However, our idyllic life was cruelly interrupted when Roeg’s henchmen tracked us down. I awoke in an eerie limbo, filled with crows and a mysterious guide (Sami Bouajila). The news that Shelly’s soul was doomed to eternal torment left me devastated. Yet, the unwavering love I harbored for her offered a glimmer of hope – a chance to undo the tragedy that ended our lives.
Alexander Skarsgard possesses a natural authority and imposing presence that makes him commanding on screen even with minimal dialogue. His expressive eyes speak volumes, as evident in films like “It” and “Boy Kills World.” Skarsgard convincingly portrays Eric as timid and reserved. On the other hand, Shelly exhibits an extroverted character laden with guilt and remorse, but Letitia Wright struggles to bring that complexity to life given the limited information provided about her character. The expected chemistry between them feels uneven because it seems more pronounced in Skarsgard’s performance rather than in Wright’s. However, you can sense his intensity, while hers falls short of his talent. This disparity becomes evident as Eric embarks on a relentless pursuit of vengeance.
The initial part of the movie The Crow, written by Zach Baylin (King Richard) and William Schneider (Return to Silent Hill) and directed by Rupert Sanders (Snow White and the Huntsman, Ghost in the Shell), moves very slowly instead of keeping pace. The slow movement seems intentional, but it makes the story feel dragged out rather than engaging. Scenes showing Eric and Shelly dancing, joking, and being affectionate don’t help speed things up in the first act, which is overly long and sluggish. Trimming some of the beginning could make the movie more dynamic and exciting. The audience already knows why Eric and Shelly are being chased, as well as Roeg’s malicious intentions, but it takes a long time for the action and violence to start.
Cool Cosplay, Bad Movie
A river of blood, guts, and hacked limbs flows once the savagery spigot’s opened. This is the most violent film in the franchise by a country mile. Stomachs will churn as Eric pushes his intestines back inside gaping wounds, snapped limbs fuse together, and skulls are cracked open like brain candy. Eric’s the proverbial bull in the china shop once his rage is unleashed. The fight choreography has slicing and dicing in spades, but its execution is blunt. This actually makes sense, as Eric isn’t a trained killer. Gore fans are going to rejoice while action junkies may find the extreme violence unimaginative.
1. Fans of gothic cosplay will find their investment well spent on the makeup and costume design. With Eric, sporting a trench coat while walking through the rain, black paint streaking down his face and his muscular physique emphasized, truly captures the aesthetic. However, this isn’t just a competition for the best Crow costume on Halloween. The movie itself needed to be more compelling, crafted around the character. It’s even more disappointing because Skarsgård elevates every weak aspect of the film, but to no avail. This movie would have been a complete failure with a less talented actor in the lead role.
The Crow can be viewed in two ways and still reach the same lame conclusion. Forget any comparison to the original. Judge this film on its own merits. That said, it’s still a poor adaptation of James O’Barr’s comics. Fans who compare it to Brandon Lee (RIP) and Alex Proyas’ 1994 masterpiece will be very disappointed. It’s not remotely a feather on that bird. As for where it stands against the other three terrible incarnations, that’s a discussion this reviewer gladly opts out.
“Edward R. Pressman Film, Davis Films, The Electric Shadow Company, Ashland Hill Media Finance, and others are producing ‘The Crow’. This movie is set to hit theaters on August 23rd, distributed by Lionsgate.”
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2024-08-23 03:01