DARKMAN 2 - THE RETURN OF DURANT
US, 1995, 88 minutes, Colour.
Arnold Vosloo, Larry Drake, Renee O'Connor, Kim Delaney, Lawrence Dane.
Directed by Bradford May.
Darkman 2 was created (as was Darkman 3) for direct release to video rather than cinemas. It was executive produced by Sam Raimi, the director of the original Darkman in 1990.
Darkman was a creation of Raimi, a comic book hero whose face was destroyed but who lived on, investigating tissues in order to have a face (and be able to use masks to confound his enemies) and combat evil. In the first film, Liam Neeson was the Darkman. In parts 2 and 3 the role is taken by Arnold Vosloo (who was to appear in The Mummy).
Robert G. Durant, the arch-criminal tycoon of the city, was destroyed at the end of the first film. However, it is discovered that he is in coma, returns from the coma and lives once again to confront Darkman.
The plot involves manufacturing arch weapons with the help of a mad scientist, played by Lawrence Dane. Durant wants a particular building owned by scientist who also investigates tissue for skin. Darkman befriends him - but the owner of the building is soon killed by Durant's men and they want to buy the building from his sister. What follows, of course, is confrontation between Darkman in various guises with the criminals leading to a spectacular conflagration ending. Direction is by Bradford May, who directed the third part. He also acted as his own cinematographer.
1. The popularity of the original Darkman film? The character, his appearance, his face, masks, hat and cloak, his ability to move fast? The confrontation between good and evil?
2. This film in continuity with the original? A new Darkman? Durant coming out of coma to confront him again? Expected confrontations? The city, the buildings, the chases in the street, cars, special effects? The musical score?
3. Darkman, the story of his past? Not dying, living alone, his experiments? His interest in Dr Brinkman? Meeting Laurie? The partnership? His anger at Brinkman's death? Seeing out Laurie? Impersonating Durant's henchman, infiltrating? Trying to save her? The arms deal, the buyer turning up, Darkman in disguise? The confrontation, the new weapon and its fire power? The deaths of the henchmen? The destruction of Durant? Darkman surviving and giving Laurie the opportunity for a new life? The crusader for good?
4. Durant as villain, comic book head of crime in the city, wanting to eliminate opposition? His range of henchmen and their personalities, yes-men, violent? His plan for the arms deal? Breaking the doctor our of jail? Wanting to buy the building, sending his henchman to persuade with money? The henchman and his skimming the money, his being put in the model car and thrown over the building? Durant and the murder of Brinkman? The deal with Laurie, the henchman going to the funeral? Her decision not to sign the document? His abducting her? Wanting to test out the weapon on her? His deal with the other crime chief? The build-up to the confrontation, his deceiving Darkman and luring him into the trap, the weapon? The fight and his death? The sketch of the other henchman, the Russian and his serious violence, Eddie and his being impersonated?
5. Brinkman, his skills, the warehouse left to him by his father, his experiments, refusing the money, being battered to death? Laurie, her love for her brother, working in the nightclub, wanting to get out, the funeral, signing the deal, her refusal, her antagonism towards Darkman but then reliance on him, the abduction in the taxi, her almost being killed, rescued?
6. The popular material of action comic strips - and brought to life with visual style and pacing and action?
