The Crow (1994)

"It can't rain all the time."

I did not expect to like this film considering it's a 90's "horror" film, which was not the greatest time for the genre. Without nostalgia for many of those films that viewers have, they just don't stand the test of time for new viewers. Except the Crow really isn't a horror film at all. It's a comic book movie. The opening shot invites you into a Gotham that has no Batman. The city is on fire. The low life's rule this world and an unfortunate couple finds themselves the victim of a cruel reality. Soon the cards are reversed and fate gives Erik Draven a chance to make things right. His love so deep and pure that he cannot rest until he avenges his dead wife Shelley. The rest of the film follows him on a revenge tour revisiting the same characters who bloodied his life exactly one year ago on Oct 30th night. While the city represents Gotham, The Crow is much more the Joker than the Batman. He isn't self-serious and he is playful with the use of his newfound invulnerability, bringing levity to his own revenge plot. We still get moments of warmth from Sgt. Albrecht and little Sarah, who manage to carry the movies soul. Their exclusion from the 2024 remake I'll never understand. This is a classic that stood the test of time. It's a particularly easy and fun watch and a bittersweet farewell to it's lead actor Brandon Lee, who died during the production of this movie. 

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