The Crow (2024)

Rating: (4 stars out of 5)
Audience Rating: R
Cast: Bill Skarsgård, FKA twigs, Danny Huston, Laura Birn
Director: Rupert Sanders
Writers: James O'Barr, Zach Baylin, William Josef Schneider
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Love story, Violence, Super Hero, Revenge
Run Time: 1h 51m
Premiere Date: August 23, 2024
Country: USA

1994 Remake
This version is a remake of the 1994 film by Brandon Lee which cost him his life. I didn't see that version so I saw this film with fresh eyes, not even knowing what the plot was. It's a dark movie with choc-full of violence and retribution. All the elements were quite there, but it didn't connect me as much to the anti-hero as it did for me with The Joker or the Dark Knight. Still, it's one of the better films I've seen in a long time.

Synopsis
Eric (Bill Skarsgård) grows up in a dysfuntional family and ends up in rehab where he gets bullied. Shelly (FKA twigs) has a video which makes her a target of the literal underworld. She runs and ends up in the same rehab where she meets Eric. They both escape rehab and run away from the dark forces. They fall in love. Both get killed but Eric is resurrected a nd becomes an immortal. With all his body ink, dark painted eyes and a black trench coat, Eric exacts revenge from the dark force as The Crow.

Acting
This movie is about Eric and Shelly. I felt the potential of what this movie could be, but somehow it fell short. Although acting seemed ok and competent, I wasn't enthralled by their characters, unlike Joaquim Phoenix as Joker or Heath Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight. I am not sure if the shortfall is with the acting or the director. All I know is that the movie had such a tremendous potential, but remained a potential all throughout.

Cinematography
The movie had the feel of a Film Noire, no, make that a Gothish Noire - dark, strong contrasts, shot mostly at night and the characters were exaggerated and the plot, twisted and improbable.

Editing
Editing, especially in the action sequences, was fast-paced, ala John Wick.

Soundtrack
In the heart-tugging episodes, a powerful angsty/emo tune would play, pulling the audience in the gut-wrenching scene.

Ending Thoughts
Again, the film was 'almost there' but didn't quite make it as a memorable experience. Still, it's better than what's out there at the current moment, so I would still recommend this film as a "worth your time".

This movie also gives me cause to see the original with Brandon Lee and compare.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
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