I recently rewatched 1990 Four’s the Crow,
and then I followed it up by seeing the new 2024 version in theaters.
So now let’s review both movies back to back,
starting, of course,
with the 1994 version.
I do wanna first address the sad passing of Brandon Lee,
which happened due to a prop accident
during the production of this movie.
It was a tragic loss that still felt today,
and it’s an important reminder
of the necessity
of following the proper safety protocols on film sets.
But in regards to the quality of the movie itself,
I can’t deny it rocks. This version is directed by Alex Proyas.
It’s based on the comic book series of the same name,
and it’s very, very nineties.
It’s also dark, it’s grungy,
it’s unhinged, it’s fueled by pure,
angry revenge. It has a sick soundtrack and gnarly production design.
The look of this movie is brilliantly Gothic and Moody.
It has a good supporting cast that includes Ernie HUD,
Michael Wincott, and Tony Todd.
But by far the best part of this movie
is Brandon Lee’s incredible performance as Eric Draven,
aka the Crow.
The way he embodies this role is nothing short of powerfully haunting.
And even though the movie has its dated and cheesy aspects,
as well as some simplistic character work
and a villain with one dimensional motivations,
for all intents and purposes,
19 Ninety Four’s the Crow has the sauce.
I mean, there’s a scene where Brandon Lee
Plays a guitar solo on a city rooftop.
You can’t get much more awesome than that.
And underneath the pain, sadness,
and grief coursing through this movie’s veins,
it still has heart. I give it a 4 out of five.
Next, let’s jump ahead 30 years and move on to 2024 as the Crow.
This version is directed by Rupert Sanders.
And to just cut to the chase,
I did not like this version.
Even though this is considered a reimagining
of the comic book series of the same name
and not a true remake of the 94 version,
I still think it’s only natural to compare this version
with the 94 version. And compared to the 94 version.
I think this is a hollow shell of a movie,
but even judging it on its own,
there’s not much I enjoyed about this movie.
It does try to set itself apart
by taking a different approach to the twisted story
and turning up the Gore several notches.
And visually the movie doesn’t look terrible,
but it just does not look as good as the 94 version.
And it certainly has none of the personality or atmosphere either,
which feels sanitized here,
even lifeless. Its direction and tone are overly self serious.
It wants to be angsty and edgy,
but it feels like it’s constantly trying to remind you of that.
The pace trudges along. The movie has a real eye roller of a script.
There are a bunch of nothing Side characters.
The acting is nothing to write home about.
And the same could be said about the romance
between Bill Skarsgard and FKA Twigs.
The villain played by Danny Huston
is just as one dimensional as the 94 villain,
but somehow more forgettable.
And although I like Bill Scarsgard as an actor,
when it comes to playing Eric Draven,
he’s definitely no Brandon Lee.
In fact, he feels lost in Lee’s shadow.
To be fair, I think most actors would have that problem today.
Scars Guard without a doubt had some monumental shoes to fill,
but on its own it’s nowhere near the actor’s best work.
There is one brutal sequence set in an opera house that I will admit
I had fun with,
but that was the only part of the movie I really got anything out of.
Rest had me wishing I was just watching the 94 version.
And sadly there’s no cool guitar solo.
I give 2024 is the Crow a 1.5 out of 5.
Clearly I think the 94 version is the better movie.
This new reimagining comes across as largely unnecessary.