The Crow (1994):  This is the first Crow movie.  Its star, Brandon Lee, really was killed during the making of this film.  First of all, this is a superhero film for adults.  It's not for little kids.  Teenagers and older audiences would appreciate it more.  This film is incredibly violent, dark, and depressing.  But it's also a great actioner!  The best performances in this film are by Brandon Lee as Eric Draven/The Crow, Ernie Hudson as Sergeant Albrecht, Michael Wincott as Top Dollar, and Rochelle Davis as Sarah.  Also good are Jon Polito and David Patrick Kelly who play dependably creepy bad guys.  Most of the other actors either have good, but nothing really outstanding roles or are definite B-class actors.


    Brandon Lee and Ernie Hudson are two of my favorite actors.  Lee had the looks, talent and charm to really become a superstar.   It's too bad his life ended so soon.  This movie is a big departure from his earlier work.  If you've seen his other movies, you know that he did straight action films.  "The Crow" is an action film of sorts, but also a strong blend of horror and drama.  And, of course, it smacks of superheroism which is why it's being discussed in "Super-Powered!".


    It's good that Hudson is in this movie for the plain fact that he is the only optimistic character in this film.  He's not psychotic or dysfunctional like the others...and is there to remind us that there IS light at the end of the tunnel.  His character is a good cop...a get-results kind of policeman.


    This has to be one of Michael Wincott's best performances.  Definitely unique.  Top Dollar stands out as one of the best movie villains I've ever seen.  He's crazy-looking, crazy-acting, and truly, truly evil.  Completely heartless.  This is the embodiment of everything nasty in the world.  Wincott pulls it off well.

    Rock musician Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) and his girlfriend are killed in such a bad way that Draven comes back from the dead to avenge their murders.  With superhuman strength, invincibility, and the help of a mysterious crow to guide him, Draven/The Crow kills every single person that was responsible for the death of himself and his fiance Shelly Webster.  It's quite a list, and he makes sure he kills them all as violently as humanly possible.  A lot of what goes on in this movie is gross or at the very least disturbing.  It's great if you're a little older, but definitely not for small children.