IR Film Review: THE CROW [Lionsgate]
The essence of “The Crow” is always going to be shadowed by Brandon Lee. “The Crow” [1994] was a product of its time and had a mythical edge of sorts to it which is understandable which was only heightened by its circumstances. The new iteration starring Bill Skarsgard and directed by “Snow White and the Huntsman” helmer Rupert Sanders is remarkably beautiful in many ways. It is a mess in others with disparate storylines and motivations never connecting. But that said, it has a vibe all its own. The structure is right. It lulls you in to the love story before going completely brutal. It is a nice change of pace for Skarsgard who really hasn’t found exactly his groove after Pennywise in “IT” despite the acting chops.
When the true nature of the film finally kicks in at the last 1/4 it is a bloodbath and it is cool seeing how far Sanders could engage and his game Skaarsgard was. That was worth the price of admission. Granted it uses the background of the opera which is fairly obvious but it qualifies in much of its tendencies as a guilty pleasure. For a film whose long long list of executive producers are listed before any of the stars and the title, that is saying something. It could have been way worse and yet there is something undeniable about it. It is closer to a lower rent “Constantine” than it is to “The Crow”.
What sells it also is FKA Twigs. You can see how Eric [Skarsgard) could completely fall for her (Shelly). Granted it is more fantasy than any kind of reality but again this can be taken with a grain of salt. The in-between area is not really explained so it literally could be pulled from “The Matrix”. Danny Huston as the baddie even has almost the Peter Stormare approach and plays it with his usual finesse. And the ending doesn’t pretend still giving it a mythic quality. Compared to some recent films considered blockbusters, this one holds up surprisingly well and better than most. Granted you have to look at it in sort of the “Highlander II”: The Quickening” to “Highlander” scenario but as far as style and production this is way better in quality. But like that second film of “Highlander” there are some brilliant moments. “The Crow” in this incarnation seems like it will disappear but it will be discovered down the line and attain a following for sure. B+
By Tim Wassberg
