My Cultural Diet

Given that 2024 marks its 30th anniversary and a (dubious-looking) remake is on the horizon, now seemed like a perfect time to rewatch The Crow for the first time in years. I was captivated by the film as a high school senior, and though some parts haven’t aged as well as others, it remains a powerful and unique experience, especially for a superhero film. Of course, it’s impossible to separate The Crow from the tragic death of Brandon Lee, who was fatally shot by a prop gun during filming. His death haunts the film, imbuing its story (a rock star is resurrected from the dead to get vengeance on those who killed him and his fiancée) with an almost mythic power that’s further elevated by the gothic style, gloomy setting, hallucinatory visuals, and stellar soundtrack. (“Burn” is one of my favorite Cure songs.) You can tell how much the role meant to Lee; he delivers a stirring performance as Eric Draven, the avenging angel beset by doubt and sorrow. Watching it this time, though, I was struck by Ernie Hudson as the streetwise cop who becomes Draven’s confidant. I love the scene in his apartment with Draven, a moment of calm in a storm of vengeance.

I may earn an affiliate commission on items you buy through Opus. These commissions will go directly to support the site and my blogging.