Film Challenge Week 18: A film based on a comic
Film: The Crow (1994)
Genre: Action/Thriller
Watched on: Peacock
There's a plethora of comic book adaptations that center around superheroes, so I felt that watching a Marvel or DC film would be a cop out because they dominate the box offices. They also typically follow a tried-and-true formula, which is often very predictable.
I decided to venture beyond those franchises in search of something a little different. Some films on my radar for this particular prompt include Nimona, Ghost World, and Josie and the Pussycats. This Letterboxd list was a good reference.
Since I watched this in October, I landed on The Crow because it fit my mood for a supernatural watch. Although The Crow is quintessentially a superhero film, it leans more towards a gothic avenger format.
In a Gotham-esque city, musician Eric Draven and his fiancée are terrorized by a violent gang the night before their wedding. The home invasion turns into a deadly affair when they are brutally murdered. A year after their murder, Eric returns from the dead as a supernatural avenger who can take the form of a crow. He seeks revenge almost immediately by tracking down the men who accosted them, leading him deeper into the dark underworld of the city.
The Crow is considered a cult classic for its gothic and neo-noir style. Think: a gritty city with rain-slicked streets, with the scales of justice tipped towards the favor of outlaws. At times, it reminded me of the unsettling feeling of Beau is Afraid, where people behave above the law, leaving misery and pain in their wake.
The dark and moody atmosphere definitely enhanced the revenge story of Eric avenging the death of his beloved partner.
In a world where it feels like the wicked always end up on top, there is an endearing quality to revenge films where the everyday person can tip the scales back to some form of equilibrium.
While reading up on The Crow, I was also surprised to learn that Eric Draven is played by Brandon Lee, who is the son of Bruce Lee.
After he filmed nearly all of his scenes for his breakthrough role on The Crow, he was fatally wounded by a prop gun on set. He was only 28 years old.
Filming was set to wrap in 8 days, so Lee's fiancée, Eliza Hutton, and his mom, Linda Lee Cadwell, supported the team's decision to complete the film. Stunt doubles served as stand-ins, with CGI used to give them Lee's face. The sad incident of Brandon Lee's death, caused by negligence on set, further propelled The Crow to cult status as conspiracy theories arose. Many speculated to this day that the prop gun incident wasn't an accident, but a murder attempt linked to a supposed curse on his family.
Dark, grungy films aren't typically my cup of tea. They leave me feeling a little sick and upset with the state of the world.
The Crow is no different. The gritty aesthetics, paired with the mix of 90s alternative and gothic rock music, left me feeling unsettled. The violence was especially unnerving to watch as Eric employs unique methods in taking out the various gang members.
I wouldn't have watched this if it weren't for the film challenge, which is exactly why I'm embarking on this challenge. Venturing outside my comfort zone has expanded my understanding of my personal taste in films and opened me up to films that are worth watching despite not fitting into my personal preferences. I can't say I'm a huge fan of The Crow, but I can appreciate it for what it is.
I gave The Crow 3 stars.
