The 1994 film ‘The Crow’, directed by Alex Proyas, has earned its place as a modern classic, partly due to its poignant story and the tragic death of its star, Brandon Lee, during filming. The film has since become a tribute to Lee, offering a moving farewell to an actor who was taken too soon. So when it was announced that a reboot was in the works, with Rupert Sanders directing and Bill Skarsgård stepping into Lee’s role as Eric Draven, many fans reacted negatively.
They felt it was inappropriate to revisit a film that holds such emotional significance and were skeptical of Skarsgård’s casting and the film’s marketing, which suggested a John Wick-like action style. Now that the reboot has been released, it has faced harsh criticism from both critics and audiences. However, despite its shortcomings, the 2024 version of ‘The Crow’ excels in one area where the original fell short: the portrayal of the relationship between Eric Draven and his beloved Shelly, played by FKA Twigs in this new iteration.
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While the 1994 film blends genres—superhero, action, Gothic horror, and romance—it struggles with the romance aspect. The original film, though successful in many respects, only provides fleeting glimpses of Eric and Shelly’s relationship, which is critical to the story but not fully developed.
In contrast, the 2024 reboot delves deeper into this relationship. The film portrays Eric as a troubled soul living in a rehab center, where he finds solace and love in Shelly. Unlike the original, this film allows us to experience their love story in real time, making their tragic end all the more impactful. The reboot’s climax, where Eric sacrifices his soul to save Shelly, provides a powerful emotional payoff that the original did not.
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Though the new ‘The Crow’ hasn’t achieved the same level of acclaim as its predecessor, it brings a fresh perspective to the story. Bill Skarsgård’s portrayal of Eric Draven and the film’s focus on the deep emotional connection between Eric and Shelly offers a unique and moving take on the tale, even if the film itself may have its flaws.
–Farheen Ali