The Crow Reviews (original) (raw)

Summary Eric Draven and his fiancé are murdered on the eve of their Halloween wedding. Exactly one year after their deaths, Eric is risen from the grave by a mysterious crow to seek out his killers and force them to answer for their crimes. [Miramax Films]

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Summary Eric Draven and his fiancé are murdered on the eve of their Halloween wedding. Exactly one year after their deaths, Eric is risen from the grave by a mysterious crow to seek out his killers and force them to answer for their crimes. [Miramax Films]

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If he had to die so soon, this movie is the best and most appropriate sendoff Lee could have hoped for.

The Crow imbues its comic brutalism with emotion and satire. Too raw and pulpy, it probably shouldn't be regarded as a memorial to Brandon Lee. But as an obsessive rock 'n' roll comic book movie shocker of loony intensity, it stands, or flies, by itself.

Rest In Piece to Brandon Lee. Had a great time. Story was interesting. I liked the dance memory scene the most. I really liked the goth. Brandon was really good.

A dark gothic fantasy movie that will always be remembered for the tragic accident that killed Brandon Lee. There is a legend that a crow carries the soul back to the lands of the living when a person dies under harsh circumstances and cant rest in the afterlife. Eric Daven was shot and left to die while his fiance was r**** and murdered. Because he cant rest in the afterlife a crow brings him back to settle things. The movie is a mixture of revenge story, fantasy, film noir, horror and thriller elements. The interesting story, great actors, pacing and effects make it a classic.. It might have some smaller weaknesses but because everything is so well done those barely matter. It is based on a graphic novel of the same name that I did not read. However because the movie is so good that I wouldn't care if its an in name only adaptation. As remark: I am the books are better guy (Which is 99% correct by the way). The team behind the camera put their hearth and soul into the movie. All actors fully deliver. A lot of us think that Brandon Lee would become a mayor actor in Hollywood but sadly this would never happen. I want also point out that all actors for the bad guys did a great job. The characters aka actors and story are well interwoven. The effects still hold up today especially for the budget. The style however was unique and excellent. Overall this is a must see I would recommend. Even more if you have seen the awful 2024 remake. It made me write this review.

Lee gives this familiar figure of vengeance a soft, singular touch.

If the arrival of The Crow - a visually dazzling and hyperkinetic action movie - is an occasion to mourn the loss of Lee, it is also ample reason to celebrate the protean gifts of its director, Alex Proyas.

It is a dark, lurid revenge fantasy and not the breakthrough, star-making movie some people have claimed. But it is a genre film of a high order, stylish and smooth.

Lee has phenomenal presence, and his movements are so balletically powerful that his rampages seem like waking nightmares. Lee keeps you watching The Crow when you'd rather look away.

It succeeds in bringing O'Barr's comic-book vision to life, but there's little else going on behind the graphic razzle-dazzle and the moody, ominous soundtrack.

I watched this today to remind myself about this movie before i watch new version and my god this is real deal. It is amazing even 30 years after premiere.

Didn’t get the hype over this movie. Perhaps it has more to do with the tragic passing of Brandon Lee.

Some time ago, I became aware of the existence of this film, but I decided to see it because of its somewhat dark and interesting theme. It turned out to be the movie I saw on my Halloween night, and I'm not exactly sorry. The film is set in a dystopian future, in which the city is dominated by organized crime and the authorities seem incapable of acting and there is a group of thugs that annually set fire to several parts of the city on purpose, in the so-called "Devil's Night", just for the pleasure of destroying. In the film, a totally innocent couple are attacked and killed by criminals who break into their home. However, a crow magically in charge of taking Eric's soul to heaven decides to keep it on earth in order to give him time to do what needs to be done: find and punish the killers. It's a simple, direct plot, based on a series of graphic novels that I didn't know about, but it works reasonably well. A particular note, which made this film famous, was the sad death of the main actor, Brandon Lee, as a result of an accident with the film's weapons during a scene in which his character is hit by a bullet. From the cast, it is Brandon Lee who stands out, with a charismatic and committed performance. With this film, the actor achieved the most outstanding role of his career. In addition to him, Michael Wincott also deserves particular commendation due to the dark, grim and cruel portrayal of a crime boss. Sofia Shinas and Jon Polito also show up and do a satisfying job. Technically, the film has several elements of interest, mainly in terms of visuals and special and sound effects. The cinematography is suitably dense, sober and at times gives the scenes a pleasant charge of pessimism and negativity, as if we were inside a nightmare or hallucination. The props and sets help to create the desired atmosphere, gothic and a little threatening, but it is the visual, special and sound effects that deserve the most praise. The film also has good action scenes. The soundtrack, while not memorable, works reasonably well.

The Crow (1994) is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that expertly blends dark themes with a captivating **** film's cinematography is exceptional, with the camera often adopting a bird's-eye view, mirroring the perspective of the crow. This innovative approach, combined with the film's monochromatic aesthetic, creates a visually striking and haunting atmosphere.Brandon Lee delivers a powerful and unforgettable performance as Eric Draven, the anti-hero seeking revenge. His portrayal captures the character's unhinged intensity and vulnerability, making him a truly compelling figure. The film's script is sharp and witty, with memorable dialogue that adds depth and humor to the **** action sequences in The Crow are both brutal and exhilarating, with the film's visual effects team creating stunning and memorable moments. The film's connection to rock and roll culture is evident throughout, with a soundtrack that perfectly complements the dark and gritty **** up - The Crow is a masterpiece of gothic cinema that continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of style, substance, and unforgettable performances.

It succeeds in bringing O’Ban’s comic book vision to life, but there’s little else going

Production Company

Release Date May 11, 1994

Duration 1 h 42 m

Rating R

Tagline It Can't Rain All The Time.

Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA

Fangoria Chainsaw Awards

• 3 Wins & 4 Nominations

MTV Movie + TV Awards

• 1 Win & 3 Nominations