The reboot of The Crow has faced significant challenges and mixed reactions as it heads towards its release. Despite high expectations, the initial feedback has been overwhelmingly negative. The first reactions to the film described it as “horrible” and “unwatchable,” with critics lamenting its failure to capture the essence of the original movie( ScreenGeek
There are different kinds of bad movies. Some find an ironic cult following, becoming sources of amusement, while others are so forgettable that they fade into obscurity. Then, there are films made with such astonishing incompetence that they barely register as complete works. The latter category is the hardest to endure, with films like The Snowman—a thriller so poorly made it was released unfinished—serving as prime examples of movies that are not just bad but refund-demandingly unwatchable.
‘The Crow’ Review: Bill Skarsgard Dons the Mascara in a Slow but Stylish Re-Imagining https://t.co/4y2HddCyvc
— Variety (@Variety) August 23, 2024
Given its troubled production history, it was no surprise that the updated version of 1994’s gothic revenge thriller The Crow would stumble. In development since 2008, with a revolving door of directors and actors attached, the final product is a shockingly dismal mess, unfit for a wide release. Filmed two years ago and quietly released on a low-expectation weekend, The Crow 2.0 is an incoherent, sloppily made disaster destined to join the ranks of the worst and most unnecessary remakes in cinematic history.
The original The Crow—a simple yet solidly enjoyable film elevated by Alex Proyas’s stylized direction and the presence of the late Brandon Lee—didn’t really need a redo. However, the framework for a satisfying revenge thriller was there for the taking. Instead, writers William Schneider and Zach Baylin (the latter with credits on Creed III, Gran Turismo, and King Richard) decided to veer off in a completely dreadful direction, missing the opportunity for an effective, if derivative, retread.
This version retains the character of Eric Draven, played by Bill Skarsgård (of It and Barbarian fame), but strips him of any real depth. Skarsgård’s Draven is brooding and dark, but only because he does drugs and has tattoos—a far cry from the tragic, compelling figure of the original. He meets Shelly, played by FKA twigs, in a co-ed rehab facility. They bond over their shared habits, escape to the city, and fall in love through a montage. But their romance is threatened by a villainous Danny Huston, who has made a deal with the devil, requiring him to compel innocent people to commit terrible deeds. When Shelly and Eric are murdered, Eric returns as an avenging angel.
The film hinges on the sweeping melodrama of an all-consuming emo romance, but it’s so poorly executed that there’s no reason to believe in it. There’s no chemistry, no passion—just lifeless actors posing as though they’re in a low-budget perfume ad. Skarsgård is competent in the limited action scenes, but his one-dimensional performance fails to fill the emotional gaps elsewhere. FKA twigs is flat and uninspired, offering nothing that would convince the audience her death could drive such a violent revenge.
Reborn from the ashes! ‘THE CROW’ remake is a messy but genuine attempt at revival. Read our review to see if it’s worth the resurrection:https://t.co/ZIp1AIsKSo#TheCrow #Remake #MovieReview pic.twitter.com/9m60M6Nh2D
— Hollywood Above (@HollywoodAbove) August 23, 2024
The choice to alter the original setup—a couple protesting forced evictions targeted by a crime lord—and turn it into a goofy, monster-of-the-week fantasy is a baffling misstep. It’s change for the sake of change, stripping the film of its original power and turning it into something more akin to a poorly made TV pilot. The original film’s graphic novel-inspired metropolis is replaced with a confusing, nondescript world where nothing makes sense. The story is convoluted, and the internal logic is incomprehensible. Even the expected gory vengeance is absent, save for one mildly effective but derivative massacre scene.
Director Rupert Sanders, whose previous work includes Snow White and the Huntsman and Ghost in the Shell, referred to the production as a “struggle,” and that struggle is evident in every frame. The final product feels like the result of desperate late-night editing sessions and heated boardroom arguments—a miserable attempt to salvage something from nothing. Frankly, they shouldn’t have bothered.
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The film, directed by Rupert Sanders and starring Bill Skarsgård as Eric Draven, has been criticized for its deviation from the original story’s themes and its inconsistent tone. One review noted that the film’s attempt to blend a “John Wick” style with the dark, gothic elements of the original The Crow ultimately falls flat, leading to a disjointed and unsatisfying experience SuperHeroHype
Additionally, the production has been plagued by a long and troubled development process, with many different actors and directors attached to the project over the years. This tumultuous journey has likely contributed to the final product’s lack of cohesion, with some suggesting that the film might have been doomed by too many creative changes and compromises along the way( SuperHeroHype
Overall, while fans of the original film and comic might still be curious to see this reboot, the early reviews suggest that it may not live up to its legacy.
Key Points:
i. The Crow 2.0 is an incoherent and poorly made disaster, unfit for a wide release.
ii. The film strips the original of its power, turning it into a lifeless and confusing monster-of-the-week fantasy.
iii Bill Skarsgård and FKA twigs deliver flat performances, with no chemistry or emotional pull.
iv. The film’s story is convoluted, with confusing logic and a poorly realized world.
v. Director Rupert Sanders’s attempt to salvage the project falls flat, resulting in a regrettable remake that should have never been made.
Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
