The Crow
 

What's everyones opinion on this?

I only managed to see it like a month ago, but it's already my favourite film. I've never seen a film where a soundtrack fits so perfectly. Just waiting on my soundtrack now from Amazon :)

From the opening scene (which is pretty intense) I knew it wasn't gonna disappoint and it didn't.

They should really make a remake of this film, I know they made like 3 more versions (only liked number 2), but a remake to the story originally in number 1.

Anyway, awesome film.

I've always liked the original.

OP:
I'm not sure why you think they should 'remake' this film. The original is perfect as it is. Hollywood should stay away from remaking movies that were already done right the first time unless they actually have something new to say or a new twist to put on the idea.

Unfortunately, the best thing that could have happened to this film when it came out was the 'mystery' surrounding Brandon Lee's death. Although it's a great movie, I think it would have come and gone relatively unnoticed if that hadn't made headlines.

I've watched the first sequel and part of the one with David Boreanz in it...huge mistakes on my part, and I'm sure the other sequels aren't any better....best bet is to stay away from them.

I've still got my crow soundtrack mainly for The Cure's "Burn" which I don't think is available anywhere except on their box set and NIN's cover of "Dead Souls" which I don't think is available anywhere else...great stuff!

Michael

As for my personal tastes: I like comics above all forms of story telling (movies second) and this movie was the first to have a roof running scene that merited the term roof running. Since then, we've had District 13 and Casino Royale (don't Jackie Chan me youse guys!), but I have a special place in my heart for this movie. It resides cozily in my left ventricle next to The Rocketeer.

I don't want them to remake it per say, just continue the story sort of.

Kinda like what they did with Batman Begins.

Watching the first left me wanting more, but all you get is The Crow 2, 3 and 4 which all pale in comparison to the first.

I remember wanting this movie when it was released on VHS. My grandpa bought it for me and told me it cost him $100, which I believed at the time. It is a very good movie.

As for your crazy remake/continuation/reboot idea, I think the TV series is about Eric. I have never seen it though.

I loved The Crow when I saw it in theaters in high school. It's been a while since I last watched it but I still think it's an amazingly bleak film. It's actually kind of depressing watching it not only because of the story and look of the film, but knowing that Lee died making it. Part 2 has the distinction of being the only film I've ever walked out of in theaters (I left and went to watch Tin Cup, which was much more entertaining). Never seen anything in the canon after that since it all looked pretty blase.

It might have actually cost that much for a little while. Wasn't there a time where tapes were released only to video stores, only available for purchase at outrageous prices like this?

I don't really know. I was really too young at the time. :shrug:

Still, I liked the original quite a bit. I was obsessed with it in junior high and high school, but not so much anymore. The sequels are all pretty bad; however, I think the cinematography in the second film is amazing.

You can't remake or reboot that franchise , for one reason. The man who portrayed The Crow is dead. Let's face it, Brandon Lee was amazing in that role.

As for the question about tapes to video stores only, yeah. I remember when a VHS tape of T2 was $100 bucks.

Alex Proyas is damn good at what he does, I wish he'd get inspired to do another dark flick that isn't I, Robot. I love The Crow, and Dark City is one of my favorite movies.

Back when Rental Phasing was around (on VHS, it may still be for all I know), they would jack up the price of VHS movies to $90 - $120 to encourage renting. Then after 6 months, the price would drop to the consumer friend $10 - $20 range. Blockbuster was a huge supporter of them doing this for DVDs (for obvious reasons) and is part of the reason why BBV has gone down the drains in the last 5 years or so -- Why support rental phasing when they could just sell directly to the consumer and sell millions of copies in a week.

I've been hording an HD broadcast of this from Starz HD - one of my all time favorites. I really hope it hits Blu-Ray soon.

One of my favorites since I saw it in the theater years ago. The second one is decent too IMO (mainly as it's very similar to the first, perhaps too similar). The third one is a huge step down, but still watchable. The fourth one is god awful and one of the worst films I've seen in recent years.

I've read there was a really detailed doc. on the Crow which was never released because of a feud between Proyas and the producers. They were trying to get it on the last 2 disc release.

Saw this again on demand the other day. I really love this movie. Its dark and bleak with a perfect sound track. This is one of those movies I should probably get on dvd.

It was supposed to be released on BD on the 26th June, but it's not anymore.

Shame really.

And a commentary. Miramax chose the producer over Proyas.

I fucking hate it. :thmbsdwn:

Well, you make a good argument too.

I LOVE this movie.
I like the second one too, although it seems like i'm the only one who does.

I thought this movie was only "alright". It was really dark and depressing. Nothing really stood out cinematography, performances, sets, or lighting. There wasn't much originality in the killings. While I always support vengeance films, this film just really had nothing unique going for it, except for the scene where the crow symbol is lit up in fire.

I liked the film enough but I don't think it's as great as some make it out to be.

What about the people saying "I love The Crow" without going into elaborate detail? Does that also bother you? :rolleyes: The question asked was "what's everyones opinion on this?" I gave my opinion. I didn't want to elaborate, I simply wanted to express that I hate it. But I should have known that Crow fanboys wouldn't let me get away with that. So here you go:

1. He's invincible. How is that interesting?? No weaknesses or vulnerabilities. No suspense. Just some invincible, undead douche bag in goth clothes and clown makeup starting fights that he can't lose. Stupid.

2. The cast and characters. There aren't any likable characters in the movie, and the cast sucks. Michael Wincott and the other bad guys are just terrible.

3. The dialog. Like everything else about this movie, the dialog is cheesy and juvenile. "Can't rain all the time?" :::wince:::

4. The style. Style is all this movie has, and the style is fucking LAME! The story and characters are paper-thin, and the characters are wildly unlikeable anyway. Mopey, melodramatic Eric Draven has returned to kill some silly, sociopathic bad guys -- which he can't fail at because he's invincible. The dialog is laughable. So with nothing else to make this movie interesting, The Crow relies on its style. And what is the style? Darkness, rain, black clothing, Trent Reznor covering Joy Division, and fucking mime makeup. Wow.

Now why don't you explain why you like the movie, wiseass.

Now tell us how you really feel. Admit it, you loved it!

<----------{{{ Loved the movie ( obviously :shrug: )

I thought Brandon did a wonderful job in it. If he had lived it would have made him a star. I dont know if the movie would have made as much money because I think most people went to see due to Brandon's untimely death.

From what I understand the movie was very faithful to the comic so to the poster who hated it blame James O'Barr. I for one loved the darkness of it, the music and the twisted humor.

It's an amazing film. Unfortunately this franchise has become laughable. God I hate Hollywood.

I love this movie because Brannon Lee was and should always be rembemered as class-act.I miss him and dad alot RIP to the Lee's,may you shine forever a light of true widsom in are darkest days.

Loved it when I saw it back in '94.

I bought the trilogy boxed set dirt cheap a few years ago and discovered it didnt' hold up well at all. There are some atrocious performances from a number of players, a lot of cheese, and the high-handed moralism turned my stomach more than I remembered.

The soundtrack is still awesome, though.

I like the movie, although a lot less than I used to. The second one is decent, but the rest are useless.

Like most have said, the soundtrack is one of the best.

Saw a Midnight preview with a packed audience the day before it opened nationwide.

Flaws were evident even then, but I felt it stayed true to O'Barr's graphic novel, and left having enjoyed it. I own it, although, I'll be the first to admit it honestly doesn't hold up all that well. The soundtrack on the other hand...that still rocks.

The sequels are complete trash.

Great film. One of my favorites, even though it doesn't hold up as well. Had a great cast of characters. Villians as memorable as the main character, which is always a plus. There were some great fight scenes as well as gunplay scenes that have been all but copied since its release.

City of Angels isn't perfect, but it is a pretty good film. You have to view it on its own merits and not as a sequel. The only thing holding it back from being as good as the original was the enemies. Totally forgetable bad guys.

Don't forget the Matrix.

There is supposedly a TON of SE worthy material in Proyas' possession. The current DVD is a producers cut. I believe there is a daily doc just like the one shot for I, Robot. Apparently those two are/were at odds with each other. At the time the producer(forget his name) was in the process of pitching Salvation to the studio. He essentially dangled the third film in front of the studio to get control of the DVD release of the original. In hindsight I wonder what the studio thinks now. :lol:

He is not invincible. His discovery that he cannot be harmed misleads him because he is tied into the crow. And Top Dollar discovers this towards the end, much to Eric's surprise.

Love this flick. And my copy is signed by James O'Barr, too! He does the occasional comic-con here in DFW.

I still watch this now and again. It's fun, but Dark City is Proyas' masterpiece.

Agreed. :up:

Love this movie. I think the characters are great, some truly great fight scenes, atmosphere is good, and the visuals are nice too.

I think the problem with the second one was the villains weren't nearly as entertaining. They were all boring and you didn't care that he was going after them. Other than that, the actual Crow actor (can't remember who it was) was pretty decent and the visuals were good. Haven't seen any past the second one.

IMHO, Dark city is one of the most overrated movies of all time. The Crow smokes it.

It was awesome when I was in angst-ridden in high school.. now, not so much.

I for one loved the movie and still watch it now and again. The sequels were horrible. But to address your points:

1. If you watched the movie he is not invincible. If you kill the Crow you kill the man. That why at the end he begins to bleed and feel pain. So i thyink it works well in the movie. He goes into every fight believing he cannot eb beaten right up until the end when someone finds his weakness.

2. Well Brandon Lee was likeable. The bad guys were maybe not as colourful as a lot of other movies villains, but they did the job of playing scum bags. There are times when you don't want to like the bad guy. Case in point.

3. The dialog in most comic book adaptations is usually not that great....but thats what most people expect. They don't go into these movies expecting a rendition of Shakespeare. It worked enough to not be noticeable IMO.

4. The style is one of the best things about the movie. Up until the release of this movie most if not all comic book adaptations were colourful and bright. It made a change to see a movie that was darker both figuratively and literarily. The soundtrack was excellent and still stands the test of time.

I think that the movie's best thing was Brandon Lee, and its a shame that he died. Alexa Proyas is talented, but after this movie his movie have gone steadily down hill. He needs to get back on track.

Agreed on all points.

I loved it when I first saw it and now I think its just ok.

@ james2025a

1. I haven't seen the movie since '94 or '95, and I'd forgotten the thing about killing the crow. So he can't be injured unless you kill a bird. I still think it's pretty stupid.

2. I don't blame Lee for it, but I didn't think Draven was likable. Doesn't he act arrogant and make sarcastic comments when he's killing people? That probably worked better in the comic. I thought the character should have been portrayed as simply being remorseless about what he is doing -- not joking and behaving like he enjoys it. It was too silly and over the top, and it meant that Draven was being kind of a dick during a lot of the movie (and seemingly behaving like a completely different person than he was when he was alive). The "other side" of Draven, when he's mournfully thinking of Shelly or giving someone "30 hours of pain all at once," is also silly and melodramatic. Anyway, I just didn't like the character very much.

3. Yes, and I hate most other comic book movies as well. I think Batman Begins is the only comic book movie that I've really enjoyed. And I was still annoyed by the lame comedic moments with Jim Gordon in that movie. Oh, and I did also like Sin City... to my surprise.

4. The soundtrack is ok. I did listen to the soundtrack in the mid 90s, even though I disliked the film. But I think the movie's whole goth, comic book style is really cheesy. Honestly, I felt a little too mature for this movie when I saw it in the theater. And I was 15.

I know the actual footage of Brandon Lee getting killed was destroyed - but does anyone know in which scene this happened? My guess is when he's standing on the table and everyone is unloading their weapons on him.