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Brandon Lee, Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott, David Patrick Kelly, Angel David ... see more see more... , Rochelle Davis , Ling Bai , Lawrence Mason , Michael Massee , Bill Raymond , Marco Rodriguez , Sofia Shinas , Anna Thomson , Tony Todd , Jon Polito , Michael Berryman , Todd Brenner , Lou Criscuolo , Henry Kingi , Kim Sykes , Elizabeth Thompson , Tierre Turner , Jeff Imada , Norman Max Maxwell , Tom Rosales , Billy Hopkins , Jeff Cadiente , Tim Parati

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... read more read more... 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, Rovi

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87% liked it

344,818 ratings

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83% liked it

42 critics

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Alex Proyas

Release Date: January 1, 1994

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DVD Release Date: January 1, 1998

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Stats: 21,960 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (21,960)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    May 18, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    The Crow is a very interesting take on the usual revenge film. Which I thought was terrific. A man and his girlfriend are murdered and a year later is resurrected by a crow to exact revenge on the ruthless gang of criminals responsible. The Crow is a dark film with melancholic ov... read moreertones. The film blends horror, action and the standard revenge formula into a unique twist. Brandon Lee is Eric Draven, the man resurrected from the grave by a crow to avenge his death and as well as the brutal rape and murder of his girlfriend. Starring apposite Brandon Lee is a cast maverick actors such as Michael Wincott, Tony Todd, David Patrick Kelly and Michael Massee. The Crow is brilliantly directed by Alex Proyas and this is his best film. He hasn't made anything that has come close to The Crow. The film is probably most famous for Brandon Lee's on set death at the hands of a prop gun loaded with a real bullet. For that reason, I feel it brings a totally sadder and darker side to the film, and in a way it adds to the dramatic experience while watching the film. The Crow is a wonderful film that is not your usual revenge type of film. The film like I've said blends other elements into its story, and thus creates something totally unique on screen. The Crow has a terrific story with an excellent cast and even though this would be Brandon Lee's last film, it still remains as tribute to his talents. The crow gave us a taste of what Brandon Lee was capable of, but tragically, his career was cut short. But in a way, The Crow keeps Brandon Lee's legacy alive and the film successfully combines other genre elements to create a dark, melancholic revenge film action film with supernatural horror elements. A terrific film, and one that is masterfully executed.
  • fb100002384654145
    January 5, 2012
    fb100002384654145
    In his directorial debut, Alex Proyas displays his dark and stylish execution that will be fine-tuned in "Dark City". Their is very effective dark atmosphere in this film, giving a grueling feel to the city. What separates this film from other straight-foward revenge flicks is ... read moreBrandon Lee's incredible performance that manages to give the movie an emotional core. Most of the other actors are pretty good also, even Ernie Hudson despite the fact that his character didn't serve much purpose. The action is very well done, containing some very satisfying villain deaths. Aside from some uneven pacing in the second act, the only other problem with the film is the soundtrack. The goth-rock soundtrack can get a little distracting at times, especially when the movie goes into music-video mode. Not a great film by any means, but a very enjoyable revenge flick nonetheless. It is just sad that this was Brandon Lee's last film, it really seemed like he had a bright future ahead of him.
  • FilmFanatik
    December 15, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    Having not seen The Crow in a very long time, I think I can distance myself a bit from it upon a recent viewing. I've gotta be honest here and say that I've never really connected with this movie at all, and I can remember all four occasions on which I watched it, and I still hav... read moreen't connected with it. I think I can understand why a little bit now, being a bit more educated on the subject of story and character. First of all, I don't really connect with any of the characters, despite the sympathy being curried for Eric Draven... but, I think that sympathy gears more toward the females in the crowd. It's a very romantic film, but in a very "emo" sort of way, and just nothing I feel like I can relate to. Second, I dislike Rochelle Davis' performance. Again, it's so "emo" without any sort of range it's unrelatable - plus, her raspy voice (especially during the awful narration) is very grating. Third, I've never understood why Ernie Hudson is in this movie. To me, he sticks out like a sore thumb, and it feels like a role that he took just because. On the positive side, the movie has some impressive visuals, despite the fact that it's so dark. It has a lot of texture and subtleties in the color palette that make up for the lack of story. Sure the story is in there, but it's not all that interesting. Things go from A to B rather quickly without much conflict and without much in the way of character or story dynamics. Perhaps that's just me because I'm a dude, and I can't get behind "emo" romanticism. Anyway, the film is great to look at, but misses its mark as a story, something that I'm told it never recovered from in its sequels. I ownly saw the second one once on video, and barely remember it, so I can neither agree or disagree with that.
  • garyX
    November 8, 2011
    garyX
    A dead rock star returns from the grave to wreak bloody vengeance on the gang who murdered both him and his fiancee. Based on a comic book, The Crow plays out like an adolescent goth's wet dream. The impossibly pretty Brandon Lee, clad in leather and eye liner and sporting an ele... read morectric guitar, stalks the night taking out evil cartoon characters to a truly dire goth rock soundtrack. The look of the film is very nice with plenty of atmosphere and nice sets in a similar vein to Proyas' Dark City, and Ling Bai, Tony Todd and especially Michael Wincott make for some very charismatic, characterful villains. On the down side, when he's not kicking bad guy ass, Lee's performance is ridiculously affected, the direction is clumsy and although there are a couple of well orchestrated set pieces there isn't really enough in the way of action, the plot preferring to focus on ham fisted melodrama. It does get better as it goes but it has dated rather badly (mainly because of the appalling soundtrack) and all looks a bit immature and silly in the post Batman Begins era.
  • spielberg00
    November 1, 2011
    spielberg00
    THE CROW just may be THE revenge film. Though it takes its basis from the graphic novel of the same name, it is certainly not a superhero story, nor a supervillain story. It is merely as if Alice Cooper or a member of KISS was murdered alongside his fiancée, resurrected a year ... read morelater by a crow, and struck by the idea to avenge both lives with a whole night of payback for the gang who murdered him.

    Last films are never my thing. I have now been in the zone, for a while, where I am almost positive that the only great one that has met my eyes was Heath Ledger's final film, THE DARK KNIGHT. I shouldn't say my mind was changed when I saw THE CROW, as it wasn't quite as groundbreaking as THE DARK KNIGHT was, but I can say that I was well over surprised. This was Brandon Lee's last film (yes, like father, like son: they both died in stunt accidents). And for the record, Heath Ledger most likely modeled after Brandon Lee's portrayal of Eric Draven ("The Crow") to get a good image of what a makeup-gaga, wicked, disturbing, Gothic comic book character should look like onscreen--just saying.

    This was Alex Proyas's breakthrough feature film, and at that, it is more than just solid. Sure, he went on to direct not-as-good films such as I, ROBOT and KNOWING, but with this adaptation--a comic book adaptation for a first major film has got to be challenging!--he got a fantastic start. Therefore, THE CROW has become one of my new personal favorites, and it is easy to see why it is considered a "cult classic". Though it is often admittedly senseless, it never loses its plot, and it very rarely is driven to the point of ridiculous.
  • phubbs1
    October 11, 2011
    phubbs1
    Dark, gothic, amazing soundtrack and the best comic book adaptation made. The scenes of the crow gliding through the mist and darkness accompanied by Nine Inch Nails 'Dead Souls' is inspired.
    Also, Eric putting on the sad clown mask make up accompanied by the Cure's 'Burn' is ano... read morether gorgeously realised and soul soaring scene.

    One of the first comicbook adaptations to actually live up to the original source and not shy away from the violence. Lee is memorable in the lead as 'Draven' as are his villainous nemeses whom he kills one by one in a glorious vengeful rainy devils night killing spree from beyond the grave.

    Some images are now looking rather dated and can be seen to be models or bluescreen but due to immense amount of darkness that shrouds everything it still just about passes undetected.

    Finale is slightly disappointing and anti climactic but its also quite moving, even more so when you know Lee actually did die in the end.
  • DreamExtractor
    August 26, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    The Crow was a fun revenge movie. Sometimes the movie felt silly, but then The Crow killed more people and I felt better. The plot is simple enough, and its fun. The acting was good, but nothing groundbreaking. This movie is also a great superhero movie and a great trinute to... read more Brandon lee. Overall I liked it, but I didn't think it was terriffic.
  • fb619846742
    June 6, 2011
    fb619846742
    A stylish, abnormally dark and dreary tale of a rock musician (the late Brandon Lee) who comes to life exactly a year after the death of he and his fiance in order to enact revenge on those that were responsible. What could have just been another forgettable, B-grade exploitation... read more flick is enhanced by stifling visual flairs, as well as a rare passionate lead performance. It really is a shame Lee died before he got to see the final cut of this film, since he is simply sensational for every minute of its running time. Of course, it goes over-the-top throughout and its nihilistic, dystopian society that the original comic book painted starts to wear on one after a while, but these flaws are minor. If anything, see it for Lee's spirited performance, as well as some fantastic action scenes and some eye-popping visuals.
  • FrizzDrop
    June 2, 2011
    FrizzDrop
    A straight up revenge flick, The Crow has very little in the way of a morality tale. In a metropolis that goes unnamed, a man and his girlfriend are murdered after they refuse to give into a gang of thugs. The thugs kill them on Devil's Night, the night before Halloween, which is... read more a day of spooky proportions. One year later Eric Draven is reanimated by a watchful crow in order to exact revenge upon the gang and all their associates. If this was a regular action film, it wouldn't be all that exciting. Yes, there are multiple explosions and a few grisly and satisfying murders exacted by Draven, but nothing that you can ooh and aah over. Crow accepts this, and so plays up the supernatural elements; painting the main character's face into a mask of white and black, much like the ghouls that come out to trick or treat. Immortal for one day, Draven is shot, stabbed, burned, and threatened, all with the pain of mortality but none of the death. Brandon Lee sadly passed away during the shooting of this film from an accidental prop malfunction. Mirroring the film, he was to be married right before he was killed. The eeriness of knowing the details before watching the film, made this tribute to Lee's life thrilling to see. He gave his life for an exceptional film.
  • shawnewing92
    April 6, 2011
    shawnewing92
    A very gothic film with a dark comic book hero who rises from the dead and avenges the murder of his fiancée and himself. This film has great visual elements but the story and characters have strong similarities to films such as Batman and The Punisher.

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Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman
July 7, 2010
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

If The Crow is forgettable entertainment, it can stand as an eerie epitaph for an actor who looked like he was on the way to better things. Full Review

David Ansen
May 12, 2008
David Ansen, Newsweek

It succeeds in bringing O'Barr's comic-book vision to life, but there's little else going on behind the graphic razzle-dazzle and the moody, ominous soundtrack. Full Review

Todd McCarthy
April 16, 2007
Todd McCarthy, Variety

A seamless, pulsating, dazzlingly visual revenge fantasy that stands as one of the most effective live-actioners ever derived from a comic strip. Full Review

Caryn James
May 20, 2003
Caryn James, New York Times

It is a dark, lurid revenge fantasy and not the breakthrough, star-making movie some people have claimed. But it is a genre film of a high order, stylish and smooth. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Lee is sensational on all counts in a final performance that brims over with athleticism and ardor.

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

If he had to die so soon, this movie is the best and most appropriate sendoff Lee could have hoped for. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

The Crow allows no room for the viewer to take a breath, as it blazes with breakneck speed from scene to scene. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It is a stunning work of visual style - the best version of a comic book universe I've seen - and Brandon Lee clearly demonstrates in it that he might have become an action star, had he lived. Full Review

R. L. Shaffer
January 29, 2012
R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD

The Crow is a visually immersive, emotionally wrought comic adaptation and one of the best gothic tales ever made. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
April 16, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Stronger visually than thematically, this romantic film noir is utterly seductive Full Review

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Facts

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    • Eric Draven: Mother is the name for god, on the lips and hearts of all children.
    • Eric Draven: Is that gasoline I smell? [fires rings at shop on fire]
    • Darla: How did you do that?
    • Eric Draven: Magic.
    • Eric Draven: S-s-sudenly, I heard a tappin', as of someone gently rappin', rappin' at my chamber door. You heard me rapping, right?
    • Gideon: Go sleep it off somewhere else, dusthead! Unless you want to get mutilated.
    • Eric Draven: Believe me, nothing is trivial.
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The Crow Trivia

  • In what movie did actor Brandon Lee play the character Eric Draven?  Answer »
  • During the filming of The Crow (1994), Brandon Lee was fatally wounded whilst filming. How was he wounded?  Answer »
  • What movie is this quote from "Mother is the name for god on the lips and hearts of all children"  Answer »
  • "It cant rain all the time" is from what movie?  Answer »
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