By now, the stories about the extensive cuts made to this film are probably common knowledge (on the slim chance you have no clue what I'm talking about read the 'alternate versions' page or find the screenplay somewhere on the net). Like most Crow fans, I think the film would have been helped tremendously by the additional footage. But unlike my fellow fans, I don't think that even with all deleted scenes restored the movie would have been very good.
The problem is not the direction. I think Tim Pope, along with production designer Alex McDowell, brough a great style to the film. Nor is the problem the acting. Despite what many others have written, I like Vincent Perez in the lead role. And although Mia Kirshner is basically Sarah in name only, she is still very good in the film. No- there is one thing that sunk this project: bad writing.
David S. Goyer is one of the worst screenwriters working today. I find it interesting that on the commentary for Blade II, the director and producer rip apart his script and talk about all the work they had to do to turn it into a servicable movie. The man is full of great ideas and p*** poor execution. His dialouge is crap. For all of you who attack the film's acting, YOU try reciting lines like "Does the corpse have a familiar face" and "I am all your nightmares rolled into one" and not sounding like a total fool. Add to that his complete lack of character development and you've got yourself a doomed movie.
Everyone complains that the relationship between Ashe and Sarah that was hinted at needed more fleshing out. Even in early version of the script, and in all that cut footage, there is still NOTHING that makes that aspect of the film believable. You can't just tell us two people are in love and expect us to buy it. We have to see it. We have to feel it. The same is true of the villains and their motivations. In the original Crow each gang member had a distinct and memorable personality. In COA, there is nothing of the sort. Just comic book bad guys wearing flashy costumes who basically just wait to get picked off one by one. Goyer basically says: "Here's the good guy. These are the bad guys... now watch them fight." I'm sorry, it doesn't work that way. How about taking a lesson from Crow 1 and injecting a little soul into your action?
Even the alternate ending bothers me, it makes absolutely no sense. The idea itself is good. The intentions were good. Like I said before, it's the way it's executed that ruins it. It really is a shame. When you consider the film they were trying to make, you can really appreciate it. But they should have hired a different screenwriter. Goyer killed this film. I can't believe he's still working. I'm heartbroken they're letting him near the new Batman film.
To be fair, COA is not as bad as I thought it was when I first saw it in t he theatre. But the dialouge is groan worthy and you run a high chance of it stimulating your gag reflex. But it's almost worth watching for the atmosphere they create and for the music that accompanies it. Just don't expect much else. Especially if you're a fan of the first film.
The problem is not the direction. I think Tim Pope, along with production designer Alex McDowell, brough a great style to the film. Nor is the problem the acting. Despite what many others have written, I like Vincent Perez in the lead role. And although Mia Kirshner is basically Sarah in name only, she is still very good in the film. No- there is one thing that sunk this project: bad writing.
David S. Goyer is one of the worst screenwriters working today. I find it interesting that on the commentary for Blade II, the director and producer rip apart his script and talk about all the work they had to do to turn it into a servicable movie. The man is full of great ideas and p*** poor execution. His dialouge is crap. For all of you who attack the film's acting, YOU try reciting lines like "Does the corpse have a familiar face" and "I am all your nightmares rolled into one" and not sounding like a total fool. Add to that his complete lack of character development and you've got yourself a doomed movie.
Everyone complains that the relationship between Ashe and Sarah that was hinted at needed more fleshing out. Even in early version of the script, and in all that cut footage, there is still NOTHING that makes that aspect of the film believable. You can't just tell us two people are in love and expect us to buy it. We have to see it. We have to feel it. The same is true of the villains and their motivations. In the original Crow each gang member had a distinct and memorable personality. In COA, there is nothing of the sort. Just comic book bad guys wearing flashy costumes who basically just wait to get picked off one by one. Goyer basically says: "Here's the good guy. These are the bad guys... now watch them fight." I'm sorry, it doesn't work that way. How about taking a lesson from Crow 1 and injecting a little soul into your action?
Even the alternate ending bothers me, it makes absolutely no sense. The idea itself is good. The intentions were good. Like I said before, it's the way it's executed that ruins it. It really is a shame. When you consider the film they were trying to make, you can really appreciate it. But they should have hired a different screenwriter. Goyer killed this film. I can't believe he's still working. I'm heartbroken they're letting him near the new Batman film.
To be fair, COA is not as bad as I thought it was when I first saw it in t he theatre. But the dialouge is groan worthy and you run a high chance of it stimulating your gag reflex. But it's almost worth watching for the atmosphere they create and for the music that accompanies it. Just don't expect much else. Especially if you're a fan of the first film.