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THE MOVIE |
THE DVD |
REVIEWER |
REVIEW DATE |
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Bub |
20th October, 2004 |
Review Quote
 "Fangoria called Darkman “Horror’s First Superhero” and they couldn’t be more correct. With shades of The Phantom of the Opera and Batman, Darkman is a
perfect descent into action packed comic book horror."
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The Plot
Peyton Westlake (Neeson) is a brilliant scientist who has invented a perfect
synthetic skin that lasts for 99 minutes, then dissolves. When his lawyer
girlfriend (McDormand) discovers a document indicating a crime, Robert G.
Durrant (Drake) and his men steal it from Westlake, burn him in acid, and blow
up his lab. Westlake is sent flying and is uncovered and declared a John Doe.
After undergoing a treatment for his burns, he sets out with his synthetic skin
to kill all the bastards responsible.
The Movie
Darkman is a film I could watch over and over and over and never get bored. One
of Sam (Evil Dead, Army of Darkness) Raimi’s best films, Darkman has everything
I need in a movie.
Darkman contains some really great actors and convincing and more in depth
characters. Neeson is pitch perfect as Westlake, and his scenes of sorrow and
despair were ultra convincing. His angry performances and insane acts of revenge
were perfect, and by the time he starts killing, you root for him. In fact, you
hope he kills them painfully. Westlake’s many memorable lines added to Neeson’s
perfect performance. Liam Neeson is Darkman, in my opinion.
Francis McDormand (Fargo) is convincing as Westlake’s guilt stricken, grieving
girlfriend, and she kept her composure throughout the film. Colin Friels is
good, but he is completely overshadowed by the great Larry Drake (Dr. Giggles).
Drake is oddly humorous while remaining ruthless and sadistic at the same time.
I dug his performance. Whoever casted this film gets an A+.
The FX are very convincing, and the action scenes were thrilling and flat out
awesome. Raimi’s directing is on par and effective as usual. The direction truly
captures the pathos, humor, and thrills of Darkman. The scene at the carnival
and Darkman’s rage explosions were good examples. The atmosphere is pitch
perfect, and Darkman’s lonliness and hunger for vengeance is perfectly carried
onto film from the funny, gloomy, tragic, and exciting script.
Fangoria called Darkman “Horror’s First Superhero” and they couldn’t be more
correct. With shades of The Phantom of the Opera and Batman, Darkman is a
perfect descent into action packed comic book horror.
The DVD
The menus are very flat and lifeless, but the picture quality is good. The DVD
includes a trailer, as well as some semi-interesting production notes, cast and
crew files, and some Film Highlights.
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Director
Sam Raimi
Cast
Liam Neeson
Larry Drake
Frances McDormand
Colin Friels
Nelson Mashita
Screenplay
Chuck Pfarrer
Sam Raimi
Ivan Raimi
Daniel Goldin
Joshua Goldin
Tagline
"They destroyed everything he had. Everything he was. Now, crime has a new
enemy, and justice has a new face."
Country
USA
Classification
R
Year
1990
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Format
NTSC
Region Coding
1
Aspect Ratio
1.85:1
16x9 Enhanced
Yes
Running Time
96 minutes
Year Released
1998
Packaging
Keep Case
Extra Features
Production Notes
Cast & Crew
Film Highlights
Theatrical Trailer
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If you find any errors in this review, know of any other versions of this DVD available or no longer available, send us an e-mail so we can get the word out to the horror community.
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