The weird thing about The Crow: City of Angels is that I disliked it more out of frustration then the horrible lack of any kind of quality. I actually was intrested in the idea that each movie that comes out would be unconnected to the previous movie and have it's own unique spin. I thought that was an clever way to keep, what was then a viable franchise, fresh. Sometimes I find that the problem with sequels is that the whole movie seems forced in a way. So going into this movie, for a moment or two, I'm feeling this blank-slate start to the sequel gave the movie the potential to be better than the first Crow. Unfortunately everyone on this movie seemed to just drop the ball over and over and after the first twenty minutes any kind of momentum Goyer's story had gained disintegrates into same revenge-o-rama that was found in the first movie. And for all his luscious command of texture, Pope cut his teeth making music videos - and it shows. He pads the now-uneventful story with at least three. There's the "Just Discovered I'm The Crow and I Think I'll Ride My Motorcycle" video. There's the "Here's L.A. By Night, Sort of Looks Like Blade Runner" video (a perennial hit with many sci-fi directors). And there's the "I Want To Fall in Love With You But I Think I'll Ride My Motorcycle Instead" video. Despite the fact that the soundtrack includes music by Hole, Filter, Bush, White Zombie, Seven Mary Three, P.J. Harvey and N.Y. Loose, these sequences are cotton wadding for the mind. The movie, in the end, is even less - and that's a pity. The first Crow was undone by circumstances beyond anyone's control. Brandon Lee (son of Bruce, and around whom it was hoped they could build a series) was accidentally shot to death during a stunt, and the film released was pasted together from the action sequences, which were most of what they'd managed to film. Here, with Perez - visually, a virtual double for Lee- they had an opportunity to give a fascinating idea for a franchise a proper launch, and they've blown it.


A New Crow Shall Rise...   June 28, 2005
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

After the huge success of "The Crow", no one knew for certain where this possible franchise would go. The tragic death of the original film's star, Brandon Lee, left a gaping hole in the future of this franchise, a hole that if this series was to continue, must be filled. So it was decided that all future Crow films would revolve around a new lead character. Many fans felt this was desecrating the memory of Brandon Lee and his incredible performance in the original film, while me personally, though I believe Brandon Lee has been the best Crow to date, the premise of changing Crow's works perfectly with the original storyline and the way the first film ended really didn't leave much room to maneuver and continue the story of Eric Draven. Thus, the franchise changed direction and in my opinion it was for the better.

The next film in the series, "The Crow: City of Angels" is set in what appears to be Los Angeles, and the character Sarah from the original film (this time played by Mia Kirshner) has moved from the city in the first film and appears to be constantly on the move and is currently residing in L.A. She also seems to be linked to the mystical Crow, that resurrects some victims of vicious crimes to exact vengeance. The new Crow is a man named Ashe (Vincent Perez), whose son and himself were murdered after witnessing a drug-related murder. Ashe returns to life, and Sarah guides him on his quest for vengeance that leads him to the drug kingpin that is flooding the streets with a new drug that is basically destroying the city one life at a time.

"The Crow: City of Angels" continues the legacy of the Crow in a unique way. By changing landscapes and characters you get a fresh perspective for the franchise so as not to get stale even though the basic story is the same. In most films having the same concept for sequels would result in a crappy film, but not this time. Many fans hate this film, because they feel it focuses too much on Sarah and the villains rather than explaining Ashe's character and his motives for returning. When truly if you actually watch the movie and get past the fact that it's not Brandon Lee, this film does an excellent job of showing the viewer exactly why Ashe has returned. In a few flashbacks, a common occurrence in both the movies and the comic books, the audience clearly understands that Ashe loved his son dearly, and were victims of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and that is why he has returned to right the wrong of him and his son's murder.

Good story, maybe a little weaker than the original, but still a great sequel to further the legacy of the Crow. Solid performances by the actors and an eerie environment make for a very enjoyable revenge adventure.

"The Crow: City of Angels" is rated R for violence, language, and sexuality/nudity.


Terrible, derivative sequel   September 19, 2003
 5 out of 8 found this review helpful

This half hearted sequel attempt to the brilliantly moody The Crow is so devoid of any emotion or soul that it still makes me cringe to this day when I watch it just like I did back when it first came out. Vincent Perez plays Ashe; a man resurrected and guided by a crow to avenge his death and the death of his young son. Perez broods his way throughout the film, his wooden acting skills don't let us mourn for him much, same with Mia Kirshner's character Sara (the little girl from the first film now all grown up) and the villians seem like typical card board comic cut outs of typical drug addicted low lifes. In the end, The Crow: City of Angels is a terrible, derivative sequel to the modern day classic original, and would be followed by a direct to video sequel which was a bit better; The Crow: Salvation. The rest of the cast includes Richard Brooks, punk icon Iggy Pop, ex-Power Ranger Thuy Trang, and Thomas Jane who is due to play The Punisher in the upcoming film.


"Do You Know How To Die?" ~ "Some People Are Just Born Victims"   November 6, 2005
 5 out of 7 found this review helpful

A sad but too often true case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Single parent Ashe Corven (Vincent Perez) and his young son Danny inadvertantly witness a murder committed by four degenerates working for Judah, the local drug lord. Unable to make a successful escape, Ashe and Danny are captured and taken to the the harbor where they are killed and thrown into the ocean.

Meanwhile a beautiful young goth named Sarah (Mia Kirshner) is tormented by a series of bad dreams and is unable to sleep. A highly sensitive and intuitive tattoo artist and painter, she is familiar with the world of spirits and the ongoing legacy of 'The Crow.' Somehow she knows another Crow is on the way.

And so it all begins again. A new 'Crow' rises from the watery depths of Los Angeles harbor to seek revenge against the five people responsible for the death of Danny and himself. Sarah will help guide and comfort Ashe as he defines his mission.

'The Crow - City of Angels' certainly doesn't achieve the level of cult masterpiece as the original did, however few sequels ever do. With that understood put all your needs and desires to make comparisons aside and simply enjoy the second installment of 'The Crow Mythos.'

Vincent Perez is quite good as the new Crow and Mia Kirshner is absolutely beautiful as the dark, ethereal Sarah. I couldn't take my eyes off her. I also enjoyed the small but memorable role played by Thuy Trang as Kali.

Warning: While both the original and this sequel contain extreme violence, this film also is very heavy in sexual content. Be prepared for a hefty dose of nudity, S&M, voyeurism and an assortment of other behaviors unsuitable for a younger audience, or those offended by such depictions. I might have given this film -4- stars otherwise.


a joke   June 24, 2000
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

This movie is a disgrace to the movie name The Crow. They should of stopped after making the first one.