THE CROW: WICKED PRAYER
US, 2005, 99 minutes, Colour.
Edward Furlong, David Boreanaz, Tara Reid, Rosemberg Salgado, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Danny Trejo, Tito Ortiz.
Directed by Lance Mungia.
The Crow: Wicked Prayer is the fourth in the series of films taking the comic strip character, The Crow, created by James O’ Barr. The first film, directed by Australian Alex Proyas, was a star vehicle for Brandon Lee but was beset by the tragedy of Lee’s accidental death during the shooting. In the second film, The Crow: City of Angels, the star was Vincent Perez. The third film starred Eric Mabius. Here it is Edward Furlong, the child star who made an impact in Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
The film has an interesting plot – but is marred by a sometimes very banal script along with lazy writing and a crass sensibility.
This time The Crow is an ordinary young man in a village where there is a reservation for Indians. They are led by a minister, Danny Trejo, whose daughter is in love with The Crow. However, his former friend, Luc Crash (David Boreanaz, Buffy, Angel) wants to inaugurate satanic rites in order to become a Satan. His partner in this activity is Lola (Tara Reid). Dennis Hopper appears towards the end of the film as a minister of this satanic rite, able to transform people – but his performance, unlike so many that he did at this time, is reminiscent of his mad drug days.
The film will be of interest mainly to those who like films based on comic strips and graphic novels and those who are interested in the progress of the series of The Crow. There were plans to make a big-budget film of the original Crow for 2011.
1.The impact of the film? The initial film of The Crow? The sequels? The place of this sequel?
2.The plot, interesting? The writing, banal, crass? The performances? The plot overcoming these limitations or not?
3.The setting, the squalor, the village, the mine? The church? The desert? The musical score?
4.The setting of the mine, the protests, the police, the clashes and fights? The jobs issue? The plan to build a casino? The Indians, their reaction? The community? Harold, religious minister, the church, his leadership? His son and the police?
5.Jimmy Cuervo (The Crow) and his love for Lilly? In the town, their past history growing up with Luc and Lola? The former bonds seen in flashback? The family disapproving of Lilly’s relationship with Jimmy?
6.Luc, prison, his ambitions? Lola and the shooting? Their relationship? Their plans? The confrontation with the priest? The book, satanic rites? Luc and his behaviour with his gang, Pestilence, War, Famine?
7.The abduction of Jimmy and Lilly? The torture, the taunts? Lilly’s death? Her eyes being taken by Lola? Jimmy’s death, hanging?
8.Jimmy surviving into a new life? The symbolism of the crow and its carrying people to and from the Land of the Dead? His not being able to be killed?
9.Jimmy, the symbolism? His appearance, makeup? The confrontation with Luc? The fights? The final confrontation, Jimmy wanting to die, the destruction of Luc? Lola?
10.The family, Harold and the campaign against Luc? His son? Joining forces with The Crow? The confrontation with the gang, the pursuits, the shootouts?
11.The ceremony, the wedding, the death of the priest? His mother and her anger? Supporting Jimmy?
12.Dennis Hopper and his arrival, his manic performance, the satanic rituals?
13.The plausibility of the satanic cult? In this remote area? The rituals and ambitions? The confrontation with The Crow – and the victory of good over evil?
