General audiences might remember Alex Proyas’ 1994 movie The Crow for the tragic on-set death of star Brandon Lee. Yet, despite that infamous incident — or, perhaps, in part because of it — the film — based on the comics by James O’Barr — inspired a cult following that endures today. And this episode, Brian Skutle of the Sonic Cinema Podcast helps us discuss why.
Normally, The Crow would have been a contender for our sister podcast, Franchise Detours. However, Proyas’ film tells a standalone story. And besides, Brian’s love for this film certainly merits the Close Watch treatment. We’ll discuss what The Crow means to him, how its genre-blending tone sets it apart, and what most people misunderstand about it.
Join us as we journey back to the alternative music, goth aesthetic, and pre-MCU comic book movies of the 1990s as we take flight with The Crow.
SYNOPSIS
The night before his wedding, musician Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) and his fiancée are brutally murdered by gang members. On the anniversary of their death, Eric rises from the grave and becomes a supernatural avenger. Tracking down the thugs responsible for the crimes and mercilessly murdering them, Eric eventually confronts head gangster Top Dollar (Michael Wincott) to complete his macabre mission.