Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Here is a secret shame I am admitting to, I never saw Brandon Lee’s The Crow until I watched the 4k this year. So with that being said, I had no nostalgic point of reference for its 2024 reboot. When I watched it, I was *not* a fan, so when the advertisements and discourse surfaced around Rupert Sanders directing Bill Skarsgard and FKA twigs in this retelling, I felt no which way about it. But after seeing this reimagining of the cult classic, I have to say, this is much better than anticipated, and better than the original in almost every way – Soundtrack aside.
The Movie focuses on Eric (Skarsgard) in a rehab/jail facility that is co-ed, where he meets Shelly (FKA twigs) as she is trying to escape Marion (Laura Birn) and Vincent (Danny Huston) to ensure she can stay alive. After escaping the facility, they’re on the lam but eventually Marion and Vincent catch up to Eric and Shelly and brutally murder them. The old saying is love is the strongest emotion in the world, and Eric finds himself between the living and the dead, wanting to seek revenge for their murders and hunts down Vincent and everyone else responsible for their deaths.
The Movie works for a lot of reasons, but the chemistry shared between Skarsgard and FKA twigs is the majority of making this new vision work. Even in moments where the performances are lacking inspiration and depth, the chemistry they share captivates the audience and has them engaged on Eric’s mission. Moreover, while the original had/has one of the best Soundtracks, the music in the 2024 re-imagining is also great and gives an additional layer of ambience to the Movie. Lastly, this is a much more violent and brutal version than the original, there is a lot to unpack with the violence and action scenes, but it truly overtakes the Movie and creates a hyperbolized world of violence for the audience to enjoy.
Sanders (Snow White and the Hunstman, Ghost in the Shell 2017) directs this remake/reimagining. His previous experience certainly helps bring this to the forefront. His knack for stylized action brings the action to the forefront and allows audiences to get lost in the set pieces and action sequences that make up the majority of the Film. Above this, Huston as the villain excels here as he brings a level of villainy to the forefront.
Overall, The Crow will work for people who have never seen the original. While this is a different telling of the Movie itself, it doesn’t help that the fans of the original are incredibly passionate and never wanted another version of the original (as they’ve mostly ignored the sequels and show as well). Going in with an open mind is the best way to enjoy 2024’s The Crow, so sit back and watch the fight for love conquer all.
Elevation Pictures release THE CROW in theatres on Friday, August 23, 2024.
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