Themes: Righting the Wronged, Reincarnation, Supernatural Romance
Main Cast: Brandon Lee, Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott, David Patrick Kelly, Angel David
Release Year: 1994
Country: US
Run Time: 100 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Based on the graphic novel by James O'Barr, this fantasy follows Eric Draven (Brandon Lee), a rock musician who is murdered along with his fiancée Shelly (Sofia Shinas) by a group of marauding thugs who terrorize the decaying city in which they live. One year to the day after his death (which happens to be Devil's Night), a mystical crow appears at Eric's grave; Eric rises from the dead and, with the bird as his guide, goes on a mission to avenge himself against Top Dollar (Michael Wincott), the leader of the gang who killed him. Star Brandon Lee was killed while filming a scene in which he was shot with a shell from an improperly cleaned gun that was supposed to be loaded with blanks. Like his father, martial arts superstar Bruce Lee, Brandon was fated to enjoy his greatest popular success after his premature death. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
This dark romantic fantasy of revenge from beyond the grave has a blackly funereal beauty which makes up for some of its sillier elements. The Gothic-style production design and an achingly poetic performance from the late Brandon Lee should make it a favorite among certain types of young people, while action fans should appreciate the moments of bone-crunching violence and a great villainous turn by Michael Wincott. An unexpected treat from promising director Alex Proyas, The Crow was followed by a wretched sequel. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
Rochelle Davis - Sarah; Bai Ling - Myca; Lawrence Mason - Tin Tin; Michael Massee - Funboy; Bill Raymond - Mickey; Marco Rodriguez - Torres; Sofia Shinas - Shelly; Anna Thomson - Darla; Tony Todd - Grange; Jon Polito - Gideon; Michael Berryman - Skull Cowboy (cut out); Todd Brenner - Paramedic #1; Lou Criscuolo - Uniform Cop #1; Henry Kingi - MJ; Kim Sykes - Annabella; Elizabeth Thompson - Medicine; Tierre Turner - Jugger; Jeff Imada - Braeden; Norman Maxwell - Roscoe; Tom Rosales - Sanchez; Billy Hopkins; Jeff Cadiente - Waldo; Tim Parati - Bad Ass Criminal
Credit
Simon Murto - Art Director, Gregory A. Gale - Associate Producer, Grant Hill - Associate Producer, Billy Hopkins - Casting, Suzanne Smith - Casting, Caldecot "Cotty" Chubb - Co-producer, James A. Janowitz - Co-producer, Arianne Phillips - Costume Designer, Steven E. Andrews - First Assistant Director, Alex Proyas - Director, Dov Hoenig - Editor, Scott Smith - Editor, Graeme Revell - Composer (Music Score), Buddy Alper - Musical Direction/Supervision, Henry Rollins - Songwriter, Lance Anderson - Makeup, Alex McDowell - Production Designer, Dariusz Wolski - Cinematographer, Edward R. Pressman - Producer, Robert L. Rosen - Producer, Jeff Most - Producer, William Barcley - Set Designer, Marthe Pineau - Set Designer, Andrew Mason - Special Effects, Jeff Imada - Stunts, David J. Schow - Screenwriter, John Shirley - Screenwriter
