The Crow: City of Angels
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
The Crow: City of Angels
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Crow: City of Angels is the first sequel to The Crow and has extreme violence, frequent strong language, drugs, and sexual themes. After a gang murder him and his son, Ash (Vincent Perez) returns from the dead with supernatural strength to get his revenge. The movie features strong, sometimes gory violence including eyes being gouged out and people being set on fire. There is multiple use of "bitch," "p---y," and variants of "f--k," as well as "f--got." A scene takes place at a BDSM-themed sex party with topless women in bondage gear, drugs, and the suggestion of group sex. The main villain, Judah Earl (Richard Brooks), runs a drugs empire and identifies as a sadist. Though highly stylized, there is little substance to the movie. The movie was reportedly recut by producer Harvey Weinstein and has been disowned by both writer and director. As with the original, the movie is based on James O'Barr's cult 1990s comic series.
What's the Story?
In THE CROW: CITY OF ANGELS, Ash (Vincent Perez) is murdered alongside his son. But then Ash's restless spirit is given the chance to return to Earth to get revenge on his killers, a criminal gang run by the sadistic Judah Earl (Richard Brooks).
Is It Any Good?
The Crow has a strong look, cool theme, and an iconic grunge soundtrack. The sequel, The Crow: City of Angels, rushed to try to replicate it, which resulted in a slapdash movie that makes very little sense. The supernatural story is fine. It's the character's actions and decisions that are the problem. It's no surprise to discover director Tim Pope is a music video veteran. Music videos entertain for three minutes with a strong look and a quick hook. This film follows the same formula, stringing together set pieces but never gelling to make a functional movie.
In fairness to Pope, he, along with writer David S. Goyer, disowned the film after interference from producer Harvey Weinstein. What's left is a baffling slog of a movie about a man coming back from the dead to avenge the murder of him and his son. It's a story that never takes flight, while the constant "cawing" of an actual crow in nearly every scene only adds to the irritating experience.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in The Crow: City of Angels. What impact did it have? What consequences were there? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Talk about some of the language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How was sex portrayed? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
How was drug use depicted in the film? Was it glamorized? Why does that matter?
What was Ash's motivation? Was he a sympathetic character? Why, or why not? What is the appeal of revenge movies?
Movie Details
- In theaters: August 30, 1996
- On DVD or streaming: February 4, 1998
- Cast: Vincent Perez, Mia Kirshner, Iggy Pop
- Director: Tim Pope
- Studio: Miramax
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Run time: 84 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: strong violence, drug content, language and sexuality
- Last updated: December 24, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
The Crow
Stylish, dark revenge fantasy with torture, drugs, and gore.
-
Blade
Superhero vampire film has extreme violence, gore, language.
-
Batman Begins
Smart and entertaining, but also very violent.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate