The Crow: City of Angels (1996)

Discover The Crow: City of Angels’ Dark Secrets

Director: Tim Pope

Writer: David S Goyer (Screenplay) James O’Barr (Comic Book Characters)

Starring: Vincent Perez, Mia Kirshner, Richard Brooks, Iggy Pop, Thomas Jane, Vincent Castellanos

Plot: Many years after the first film, the spirit of the Crow resurrects another man seeking revenge for the murder of his son.

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

Verdict: If It’s Not Broken Don’t Fix It, Just Ruin It

Story: The Crow: City of Angels starts Sarah (Kirshner) returning grown up in the City of Angels, she is having visions of the murder of Ashe Corven (Perez) and his son Danny (Acosta). Judah Earl (Brooks) is now the kingpin of the city supplying drugs all over the city showing just how happy and emotionless when it comes to dealing with problem.

Using her knowledge of the legend of the Crow Sarah brings Ashe back to life to help him get his revenge upon the people who killed him. Once Ashe relives the moments before his death he learns the reason for his return and gears up ready to continue the legend of The Crow.

The Crow: City of Angels decided to just try and copy everything from the first film with a slight different origin story but the revenge side of everything is just the same. I do think it loses the dark tone the first one had and because this isn’t as dark the impact just doesn’t come off. I found this film just didn’t understand the darkness needed for the idea and ends up feeling toned down version. (5/10)

Actor Review

Vincent Perez: Ashe Corven/The Crow is the man murdered along with his son, his life is over until Sarah brings him back to life with the power of The Crow so he can get revenge on the men who took his son and his own life. Vincent is a solid lead but doesn’t have the same level as Brandon Lee. (6/10)

Mia Kirshner: Sarah is all grown up now and mastered the power of the Crow, when she gets nightmares about the death of Ashe she brings him back from the dead to take out the people responsible for his death. Mia doesn’t seem to capture this role enough for my liking just becoming a basic supporting character. (5/10)

Richard Brooks: Judah Earl is the leader of the gang running the city, it was his men that killed Ashe but much like the villain from the last time he is very spiritual with all his decisions. Richard gives a similar performance to what we saw first time but doesn’t end being as creepy. (6/10)

Support Cast: The Crow: City of Angels has a genetic supporting cast filled with villains for our new Crow to take out.

Director Review: Tim Pope – Tim doesn’t manage to ogive us a film that has the same effect as the first one making this feel cheaper and low production quality. (4/10)

Action: The Crow: City of Angels has simply action sequences but nothing stand out. (4/10)

Fantasy: The Crow: City of Angels puts us in the fantasy world of people coming back from the dead. (8/10)

Settings: The Crow: City of Angels makes the city very dark from start to finish making us feel like we are part of the dark world. (8/10)
Special Effects: The Crow: City of Angels has to be slammed for the effects that are a huge step back from what the first one had you can easily see the CGI being used. (2/10)

Suggestion: The Crow: City of Angels is one to try but I wouldn’t be recommending it to anyone fast. (Try It)

Best Part: Difficult to pick something really.

Worst Part: The effects are laughable.

Believability: No (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Chances of Sequel: Has 2 More sequels

Post Credits Scene: No

Oscar Chances: No

Box Office: $17 Million

Budget: $13 Million

Runtime: 1 Hour 24 Minutes

Tagline: Believe in the power of another.

Overall: Disappointing sequel to a classic that sucks all the fun out of the film