The Crow (1994) Miramax/Action-Fantasy-Horror RT: 102 minutes Rated R (strong violence and language, drug use, some sexuality) Director: Alex Proyas Screenplay: David J. Schow and John Shirley Music: Graeme Revell Cinematography: Dariusz Wolski Release date: May 13, 1994 (US) Cast: Brandon Lee, Rochelle Davis, Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott, Bai Ling, David Patrick Kelly, Tony Todd, Michael Massee, Laurence Mason, Angel David, Sofia Shinas, Jon Polito, Anna Thomson, Bill Raymond, Marco Rodriguez, Kim Sykes. Box Office: $50.7M (US)
Rating: ****
By the time The Crow landed in theaters in May ’94, everybody was aware of the tragedy that occurred during filming. I’m talking, of course, about the accidental shooting of star Brandon Lee after a prop gun malfunctioned and fired a dummy round into the actor’s abdomen with the same force as a live round. Attempts to save his life failed and 28YO Lee died (March 31, 1993). The producers decided to finish making the movie using a stand-in with Lee’s face digitally superimposed onto his (for some shots). After a few minor script rewrites, they continued and completed the movie. It could have gone either way, but The Crow opened to much acclaim and made a nice amount of money at the box office.
I think The Crow is brilliant. Based on James O’Barr’s 1989 comic book, it’s a dark action-fantasy about a dead rock star rising from the grave to avenge his own murder as well as the rape and murder of his fiancee. It all starts on Devil’s Night (October 30) when a Detroit street gang led by T-Bird (Kelly, The Warriors) murder Eric Draven (Lee) and his fiancee Shelly (singer Shinas). A year later, a crow lands on Draven’s grave and he climbs out. He goes to his old apartment and experiences flashbacks that reveal the identity of the killers. He also learns that any wounds he receives heal immediately. He paints his face (he resembles a deranged harlequin) and heads out into the city to take his revenge.
He goes after the whole gang- T-Bird, Tin-Tin (Mason, Hackers), Funboy (Massee, Seven) and Skank (David, Kiss of Death)- as well the crime boss, Top Dollar (Wincott, Strange Days), who ordered the killings and his associates, half sister/lover Myca (Ling, Red Corner) and Grange (Todd, Candyman). The only ones aware of Draven’s resurrection are Sgt. Albrecht (Hudson, Ghostbusters), the first cop on the scene of his and Shelly’s murders, and Sarah (Davis), the young girl that Shelly and Eric looked after due to her neglectful mother’s (Thomson) heroin addiction.
The Crow can be interpreted as a revenge story (which it is), but it’s more than that. It’s also a love story. It’s a testament to the everlasting power of love and how it extends beyond the realm of the living. It’s both soulful and haunting. Its visual style is dark, lurid and grungy. The city of Detroit, as depicted here, reminds one of Gotham City with the looming structures and crazed criminals roaming freely through the streets. Like Blade Runner, The Crow is a real work of art in terms of visuals and production design.
The cast is top-of-the-line. Wincott and Kelly are two of my favorite character actors. They are GREAT in The Crow. Jon Polito (Miller’s Crossing) is suitably sleazy as a pawn shop owner who crosses paths with Draven/Crow. One of the film’s best performances comes from Davis (12 at the time of filming) as Sarah. She plays the preteen skateboarder as tough but vulnerable. She’s seen a lot in her young life, but isn’t immune to tears. It’s rare an actress so young is able to maintain such a delicate balance. That The Crow is her acting debut makes her performance all the more impressive. As for Lee, this is his best performance EVER! This should have been his breakthrough film. He shows remarkable emotional depth as the grieving undead lover. While it’s sad this is his last film, it’s a fitting epitaph for a young actor that showed great promise, one that will never be fulfilled.
The grunge rock soundtrack is absolutely perfect. It matches the tone of the movie. It includes cuts from Nine Inch Nails (“Dead Souls”), Stone Temple Pilots (“Big Empty”), The Cure (“Burn”), Rage Against the Machine (“Darkness”) and My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult (“After the Flesh”). The score by Graeme Revell is beautiful and haunting. The action scenes are violent, bloody and well-orchestrated. The scenes where Draven/Crow kills his intended targets are cool. There’s just so much to love about The Crow. It’s one of those rare films that transcend its genre and take it to a higher level. Director Alex Proyas (Dark City), in his feature-film debut, hits the mark dead-on. He has an eye for visuals and a knack for storytelling. The screenplay by David J. Schow and John Shirley is very well-written. The Crow is, at once, a dark love story, a grungy fairy tale, a bad ass revenge flick and a feast for the eyes. It walks the line between fever dream and nightmare. There’s a reason it immediately attained cult status. It’s an outstanding and beautiful film.
The Crow is dedicated to Lee and his fiancee Eliza who he was set to marry when filming ended. May their love last until after the end of time. RIP Brandon. I miss you.
