Ever since it's original release, I'd been told by nearly everyone I know that DARKMAN was one of the absolute worst movies they'd ever seen. Well, 12 years later (not really sure what took me so long), I finally got around to seeing it and have this to say to everyone I know: you were wrong.
DARKMAN was one of the most fun films I've ever seen. It's virtually a comic book come to life. If you've ever read a comic book and tried to imagine what the action on the paper would look like if it was real, DARKMAN is that thought realized, right down to the hero talking to himself as he ponders obstacles and such. Nearly every camera angle is a comic panel come to life thanks to director Sam Raimi's obvious love for comic books. Though not based on a comic book, DARKMAN has everything I like in a comic: a likeable and sympathetic hero, a truely despicable villain, a remote sanctuary for the hero, an array of set pieces, loads of action, and a lot of excitement. DARKMAN has it all.
It's a bit funny to see Liam Neeson is such a B-movie film, but somehow, he seems perfect for the part, though his acting (amazingly) seems a little off-kilter in some scenes. Larry Drake shatters his L.A. LAW image as the vial Robert G. Durant, displaying a great amount of menace that places him high up on the list of comic book/film villains. Darkman's use of masks to impersonate other people could have easily grown tiresome and repetitive (like in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2), but is handled well, and there are a few moments of well-spotted humor. And unlike a lot of people, I felt this film somewhat lacked Raimi's usual style, especially with there being a lack of fast zoom-ins.
The bluescreen effects are really the film's only weakness, as they literally scream out at you everytime one appears on-screen. But in a way, being that this is a zany comic book come to life, it sort of adds to the fun factor of the film. Raimi handles the action sequences with a frenzied pace that never lets up, my favorite being the sequence involving Darkman hanging from the helicopter as it roars through the city. (Though the sudden inclusion of some wisecracks during the scene seem out-of-place for a character who has remained pretty serious throughout the film).
Another minor quibble is something that I've grown tired of seeing in comic book movies: the hero always ends up without his mask in the big climax. It happened in BATMAN RETURNS, THE SHADOW, and even CAPTAIN AMERICA, if I remember correctly. It's like the filmmakers think the audience will be mad if we can't see the face of the hero during the big final action scene.
But otherwise, DARKMAN is a highly-enjoyable action/thriller with loads of fun that will definitely be appreciated by comic book fans, and should be enjoyed by anyone looking for a fun, over-the-top action movie.
DARKMAN was one of the most fun films I've ever seen. It's virtually a comic book come to life. If you've ever read a comic book and tried to imagine what the action on the paper would look like if it was real, DARKMAN is that thought realized, right down to the hero talking to himself as he ponders obstacles and such. Nearly every camera angle is a comic panel come to life thanks to director Sam Raimi's obvious love for comic books. Though not based on a comic book, DARKMAN has everything I like in a comic: a likeable and sympathetic hero, a truely despicable villain, a remote sanctuary for the hero, an array of set pieces, loads of action, and a lot of excitement. DARKMAN has it all.
It's a bit funny to see Liam Neeson is such a B-movie film, but somehow, he seems perfect for the part, though his acting (amazingly) seems a little off-kilter in some scenes. Larry Drake shatters his L.A. LAW image as the vial Robert G. Durant, displaying a great amount of menace that places him high up on the list of comic book/film villains. Darkman's use of masks to impersonate other people could have easily grown tiresome and repetitive (like in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2), but is handled well, and there are a few moments of well-spotted humor. And unlike a lot of people, I felt this film somewhat lacked Raimi's usual style, especially with there being a lack of fast zoom-ins.
The bluescreen effects are really the film's only weakness, as they literally scream out at you everytime one appears on-screen. But in a way, being that this is a zany comic book come to life, it sort of adds to the fun factor of the film. Raimi handles the action sequences with a frenzied pace that never lets up, my favorite being the sequence involving Darkman hanging from the helicopter as it roars through the city. (Though the sudden inclusion of some wisecracks during the scene seem out-of-place for a character who has remained pretty serious throughout the film).
Another minor quibble is something that I've grown tired of seeing in comic book movies: the hero always ends up without his mask in the big climax. It happened in BATMAN RETURNS, THE SHADOW, and even CAPTAIN AMERICA, if I remember correctly. It's like the filmmakers think the audience will be mad if we can't see the face of the hero during the big final action scene.
But otherwise, DARKMAN is a highly-enjoyable action/thriller with loads of fun that will definitely be appreciated by comic book fans, and should be enjoyed by anyone looking for a fun, over-the-top action movie.