MIRAMAX / DIMENSION FILMS

The Crow

Crow Rating: 4 Crows

Released: March 1994

Director/Screenplay: Alex Proyas / David J. Schow & John Shirley

Score: Graeme Revell

Starring: Brandon Lee as Eric Draven, Sofia Shinas as Shelly Webster, Michael Wincott as Top Dollar, and Ernie Hudson as Officer Darryl Albrecht.

Film Premise
Based on the Crow comic book series by James O'Barr. Shelly Webster & Eric Draven are murdered on October 30th, "Devils Night". They were to be married the following night, Halloween. Due to the strong love bond between Shelly & Eric and the heinousness of their murder, Eric's soul is unable to rest. A year later, a Crow brings back his soul to take revenge on the gang that murdered them. Eric is reacquainted with a street girl named Sarah. Sarah's mother, Darla, is strung out on drugs and spends most of her time with Funboy, a member of the gang that murdered Eric and Shelly. Sarah looked to Shelly and Eric as foster parents, a family she was lacking. Upon his return, Eric forms an alliance with a beat cop, Darryl Albrecht. Albrecht stayed by Shelly's side at the hospital and watched over her before she died. Due to Albrecht's persistence with the investigation into the Webster/Draven murders, he was demoted and taken off the investigation. Just as Eric is about to complete his mission, Sarah falls into the hands of Top Dollar, the lord of the city's street gangs. Eric puts his own resurrected existence in peril to help his friend Sarah. With the help of Albrecht, Eric attempts to save his friend and complete his mission so he is able to finally rest in peace with Shelly.

Personal Thoughts
This is one of the best movies based on a comic I have seen. The performances, across the board, were excellent. Alex Proyas, acting as director and visionary, was able to recreate the look of O'Barr's alternative and gothic Detroit. Brandon Lee was elevated to God-like status for his portrayal of Eric Draven, but even more so because of his real-life death while making the film. The film was not shown until a year after his death. I remember being hesitant about watching the movie. I felt that it would be an almost sick voyeuristic peek at the life and death of Brandon Lee. I was finally able to overcome my initial reluctance to see the film. The story, which calls upon the basic premise of setting the wrong things right, touched a chord within me. I have long enjoyed movies that played on the revenge theme. However, I did not expect to ever see a movie filled with violence to be so poetic and beautiful. What sets this movie apart from other movies of this genre is the concentration on love and the extremes it takes us to. It is what continues to bring new fans to it even after 7 years.

Where to find this movie
You can find "The Crow" at any retail store in VHS and DVD formats. If you do your shopping by the net, you can find it at Amazon.Com (click on logo below). You can check eBay online auction at www.ebay.com , for new and used copies. It will be part of the reissue DVD boxed set available March 20th, 2001 (special edition can be purchased separately as well).