THE CROW REVISITED
- Year of Release - 1994
- Starring - Brandon Lee, Ernie Hudson, Rochelle Davis, Michael Wincott
- Directed by Alex Proyas
- Written by James O’ Barr(original graphic novel), David J. Schow(adapted screenplay)
- Soundtrack Highlights - Burn/The Cure, Dead Souls/NIN, It Can’t Rain All the Time/Jane Siberry
There are movies from the nineties that become dated, movies that become covered in the nostalgia filter. That they should fall into the shadows of nineties obscurity. But this movie isn’t one of them. The Crow is one of the greatest comic book movies ever made. Dark, gritty, and not leaving much room for levity. No doubt about it, this film is darkness incarnate.
Be warned however, this film is not meant for the squeamish. It’s bloody, it’s violent, and it deals with heavy subject matter like rape and murder. So walk into this one knowing that beforehand. So now that you are forewarned, let’s move onto the story itself.
Eric Draven is an up and coming rock star with his band Hangman’s Joke, and he’s set to wed the love of his life Shelly Webster on Halloween. Until things take a horrible turn. Eric walks into his apartment to find a gang of murderous arsonists sexually assaulting Shelly. He tries desperately to intervene, only to be thrown out their window and falling to his death. Shelly is left broken, and bleeding inside their burning apartment. She is brought to the hospital where she endures several hours of pain until she finally succumbs and dies.
The sadness that resulted in this mournful tragedy was so vast and great that Eric is brought back to life, his spirit guided by a crow. Eric is fueled by pure and unaltered rage, he is hell bent on making sure that each and every gang member who had a hand in killing his wife to be pay for their hideous crime.
I won’t tell you in anymore detail in case you haven’t seen it. The Crow is a movie that’s meant to be an experience that you’ll never forget. Well, at least it was that way for me. Whenever I watch this movie, I dwell in it for days. The feeling that comes off this movie can endure for days, with the message ringing clear in your head.
The Crow is on a very short list of movies that have been a life altering experience for me, and I hope it’s that way for you too.