Will The Rapper Premise Work?

 

I have read many comments by fans that say they have no problem with a black man being featured in the title role of “The Crow: Lazarus”. However, they feel the rapper storyline continues an on-going

Hollywood stereotyping of black actors. This is a valid point.  Personally, I can think of three reasons why this premise will work and also help to negate the stereotype mentally.

 

1.       The emergence of the crossover rap/rock scene with groups like Limp Bizkit and Kid Rock. Their popularity has led to a new genre of music that mixes rap and rock. Just as Pressman was attuned to the emerging alternative scene with “The Crow” in the early 90's, so too do they see the opportunity here to bring a new burgeoning audience to “The Crow: Lazarus”. The actor/rapper DMX, who is set to play the title role in “Lazarus”, is scheduled to open for Limp Bizkit in the coming months. DMX's inclusion as the Crow helps to bring a much needed crossover audience. This is smart thinking by Pressman. For the movies to continue, new fans have to be brought into the fan base to revitalize and add to the core audience. Otherwise, the future of The Crow, in the movies and other forms, will die out.

       

2.       The plight of the rapper being gunned down is straight out of the morning newspaper and evening news. The murders, in recent years, of two major artists in the rap world are something anyone who has picked up the morning paper knows about. It enables the movie to have more social relevance than just another Hollywood tale of revenge.  We are getting a chance to go “behind the scenes”, so to speak, of something we have been a witness to in real life. What better genre to bring this reality to the big screen than The Crow?

 

3.       In my opinion, “Lazarus” can go a long way towards countering the stereotypical image of all rappers, black, white, male and female. They are human beings who bleed and hurt the same as the average citizen on the street. The story can tear away the braggadocio swagger and show the humanity of these artists. It is a major statement by Pressman that they would feature an avatar that, initially, we may not feel empathy for. The script must be able to climb this stereotype barrier and make us care for this man. This is a far more complex and meaningful storyline to undertake than going with a female premise that does nothing more than retread already ventured waters.

 

 I am realistic about the whole reason movies are made. It is a moneymaking business. The opportunity is there now to bring a story to the screen that can capitalize not only on real life headlines, but also a popular music genre. This is the exact same thing that was done with the first movie. Fans who put “The Crow” on a pedestal fail to realize the images and sounds they saw up on the screen did not come together by accident. The growing popularity in alternative music and its dark subculture were purposely combined to help create a successful movie. Does this cheapen a movie's effect if it is an opportunistic venture? Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't.  I do not think anyone considers “The Crow” to be just an opportunistic venture, yet the same foresight that created it is also behind “Lazarus”.  Pressman could have picked a white artist or even a female artist to play the title role. With DMX, you not only get the authenticity he brings, but also the ability to act. The role had to be filled by someone who could be believable in both of these areas. DMX's previous film work and music accomplishments make him an obvious choice.  Something intriguing to me is the possibility that DMX will be able to contribute to the movie's soundtrack. This is an added element the three previous actors could not bring to the table. For me, this gives the story and the movie an air of authenticity that the previous films did not have in the beginning. Along these lines, this character is going to be different from the previous three men featured. Eric, Ashe, and Alex were victims of circumstance. Lazarus is killed because of his lifestyle, which entails an underlying connection to his race.  I see nothing but positives and endless possibilities with this story. With the coming months, we will have more information to help us see where this story is taking The Crow. This is an exciting time, I hope we can all share in it.   

Take care,

LLcruize