Some of you reading this review weren’t even born when the producers first tried to bring back crow. The first article about it on this site was in 2008 (which happened to be the first year of io9’s existence), and since then, every few years, a new director and star has tried to bring James O’Barr’s Gothic comic series adapted for a new generation. I mention this because this history – whether you know it or not – somehow stuck with Rupert Sanders. crowa reimagining of the original material starring Bill Skarsgård. Simply put, just a new idea crow The film carries an impossible heaviness. Over the years, no one has been able to achieve this goal. There must be a reason. This reason necessarily means that whatever movie ends up being released won’t be very good.
Well, Sanders’ version did succeed. The film will be released this weekend. And, I admit I was shocked to say, Not bad actually. it is not Great. Of course there are some problems. But even the acclaimed 1994 film starring Alex Proyas and Brandon Lee had that. Like that film, though, this one feels like a fresh take on the story that might not be an immediate success, but is destined to be discovered by potential fans for years to come.
Things that immediately stand out crow It’s just how fascinating the relationship between the two protagonists is. Shirley, played by FKA twigs, finds herself on the run from a mysterious entity and ends up in a rehab facility. There she meets Eric (Skarsgård), an introvert with a troubled childhood who is hated by everyone in the facility. The two quickly bond, escape and fall madly in love.
The development of this relationship spans much of the film and makes the characters endearing to audiences. It might go on for too long, but the more time we spend with Eric and Shirley, the more we care about them and the more anxious we become about what’s to come. Because if you know anything about crowIn the end, both Shirley and Eric were killed, and Eric was given a series of mysterious powers. He was told that if he killed the person who killed her, he could bring Shirley back.
Once Eric acquires these abilities, it still takes him quite some time to figure them out. So we’re not fully committed until very, very late in the film crow On display. Then, and only then, do we get long action scenes or superhero-esque moments. And, once that happens, it’s not only cathartic, but exciting. As Eric takes down the bad guys, Sanders creates an operatic symphony of violence with a level of gore that’s sure to turn some viewers’ stomachs. It’s really brutal and feels like an almost completely different movie.
However, while the third act ends well, it’s also the biggest problem crow. Tonally, these are three different movies. This is a romantic love story. This is the origin story of a murder mystery. And then it’s a big, exciting, violent action movie. Each section works independently but also slightly conflicts with the rest of the film because the balance isn’t quite right.
Still, you’ll always be there thanks to the wonderful performances of Skarsgård and twigs. Each one has such a unique look and presence that you can’t take your eyes off them. You can tell that these characters are broken and potentially terrible people, but you can also see and feel a river of almost innocence flowing through them. Plus, their chemistry is off the charts. It’s like they’ve known each other for a long time. Sanders’ story may not be quite right, but the characters and performances are spot on.
Even so, there are other problems. The mythology surrounding Eric’s powers is somewhat arbitrary and confusing. The villain played by Danny Huston isn’t that exciting or charming enough to pose a real threat. The ending lacks the emotional punch you’d hope for after watching everything. Make no mistake, crow is a flawed film. But the cons are perfectly at odds with the pros, which leads me to say this: If you’re interested crowand be willing to go in with an open mind, this movie will surprise you. It’s much better than you’d expect, and at some points, actually pretty good.
crow Opens August 23rd.
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