 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Crow
- Review Date: October 4, 2010
- R
- Genre: Horror
- 1994
Common Sense Media says
Stylish, dark revenge fantasy with torture, drugs, and gore.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this dark comics-based cult classic is packed with frequent ferocious violence and grisly death, plus a flashback of rape. Torture precedes a number of killings, with one character especially fond of gouging eyes. Expect some brief toplessness and strong hints of unconventional sexual activity. Profanity is frequent, especially "f--k." Cocaine, cigarettes, and lots of alcohol make appearances. Law and order is practically nonexistent.
What's the story?
In a nightmare version of Detroit on Devil's Night -- the night before Halloween, when vandals traditionally set fires all over the city -- vicious street thugs on the payroll of an organized-crime kingpin attack rock musician Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) and his girlfriend. Eric is thrown out a window to his death, while the girl is gang-raped and beaten, later dying in agony. One year later Eric rises from the grave, a sort of flesh-and-blood ghost, able to heal from almost any wound, with a guardian crow as his companion. This undead avenger begins hunting down and killing the various scumbags (still very much at large, thanks to the Motor City's clueless police) who were responsible for the tragic homicides of the lovers.
Is it any good?
Imagine the gothic Batman crossed with rocker Alice Cooper crossed with some teen-idol vampire and you've pretty much got THE CROW, which, like Highlander, is almost as much of a music-video as a supernatural fantasy. It nonetheless dazzled critics and viewers in the MTV-youth demographic for the action and ultra-stylish visuals heavily veneered by atmospheric computer graphics. Acting is also better than it has to be, for a basic revenge-hit-list tale, though the storyline is fairly predictable as it goes from one freakish hoodlum's spectacular death after another courtesy of Eric, the only real surprise being that worse-than-useless city police aren't in cahoots with the main villain.
The Crow got sad extra attention for the bizarre death of actor Brandon Lee (son of action icon Bruce Lee), mortally wounded in an on-set gun stunt gone wrong. That didn't stop producers from hatching a clutch of Crow sequels, all pretty much reruns of this premise, with different actors starring as other face-painted, spectral crimefighters stalking urban criminals who all seem dressed more appropriately for industrial-dance-music rave parties.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about violence in this movie. Were there parts that lingered with you even after the movie ended? If yes, why do you think that is? How does mixing sex with violence effect viewers? When is revenge justified?
Talk about avenging superheroes. Are they more interesting when they are
invulnerable and all-powerful, like Eric (or Superman?), or when they
are more human, like Batman?How are drugs portrayed in this movie?
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Kid, 12 years old
September 1, 2011
AGE
do that
if you cant stand the super blood annd stuff watch the tv version like i did they skip them but not osn osn shows watch like in mbc max if it comes
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AGE
LISTEN TO THE RATINGS
I love it, but its far too gorey and risque for kids; normally i disagree with the rating system but this R is deserved.
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AGE
Don't be fooled. This is not a tame superhero film. If you thought The Dark Knight was explicit, just watch this.
My rating: R for brutal violence, drug use and nonstop strong language.
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Not extremely violent.
Saw this got it from Netflix when I was like 7+ not extremely violent but ultra bloody that's even worse tons of language and sex,some drinking but nevertheless OK for very mature teens at
least 16 years old.
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| Studio: | Miramax |
| Director: | Alex Proyas |
| Cast: | Bai Ling, Brandon Lee, Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Run time: | 111 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 11, 1994 |
| DVD release date: | November 24, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | a great amount of strong violence and language, and for drug use and some sexuality. |
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