Does THE CROW (1994) Still Hold Up?...

Overview

This video is a retrospective review of whether 1994’s The Crow still holds up. It’s prompted by the film’s anniversary on October 30 (Devil’s Night) and timed against the release of a 2024 Crow remake that the creator criticizes as “trash.”

The reviewer sets expectations early:

• Spoilers are coming
• The focus is strictly on whether the original film still works today

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Main plot recap (framed by the reviewer)

When Eric Draven dies, the legend says a crow carries souls to the afterlife—unless something goes so wrong that the soul can’t rest. In The Crow (1994), the crow returns him so he can seek vengeance.

Eric comes back as a Spectre of Vengeance to punish those responsible for killing him and his fiancée, Shelly—while also being haunted by the tragedy of what was done to them.

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What still “holds up” (highlights)

Gothic tone and graphic-novel styling

The creator’s strongest reason for liking the film is its dark, gothic, surreal atmosphere. It feels like a comic-world adaptation that doesn’t become cartoony, and it isn’t treated as a generic action movie. Instead, it plays as romantic tragedy + vengeance.

Brandon Lee’s performance

Brandon Lee is praised for not portraying Eric like an over-the-top superhero. He feels grounded and human, which makes the tragedy land harder. The reviewer emphasizes that Eric isn’t just “performing vengeance”—you feel his grief and the injustice of his situation.

Eric’s character beats

Eric is described as a positive influence, with moments of snarky humor and genuine kindness. This shows up in the way he helps characters like:

• Sergeant Albrecht
• Shelly’s mother (Darla)

The reviewer frames the real threat as being reserved for actual jerks and villains.

Storytelling through others’ perspectives

The film’s focus on characters like Sarah—and how her connections link to Eric and Shelly—helps make the horror feel personal: people wonder if someone returned “wrong” or if they’re going mad. The reviewer compares this approach to how some Transformers films focus too much on humans, but argues it works here because the movie is about love, life, and death.

Tender human moments

The review highlights the movie’s emotional scenes, especially those involving Sarah and her mother. The film has heart, not just brutality.

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Villains and vengeance: why it’s satisfying

Villains feel like individuals

The reviewer says the villains stand out because they have distinct identities and signature looks, rather than blending into a faceless group.

Top Dollar as the standout “scene-stealer”

Top Dollar is called out as the most memorable villain and a sort of cautionary tale—framed through the idea of knowing when to shut up. The reviewer also treats him as a villain with an ideology worth debating, almost like a structured philosophy rather than chaotic evil.

Joker-style comparison (joke + critique)

The reviewer compares villain mindsets to the Joker, joking that:

• Joker = anarchy
• Top Dollar’s mindset = different and more mournfully “stagnant”

The reviewer suggests that tonal difference is part of why Top Dollar’s downfall feels perfect.

The presence and performances are also credited to:

• Tony Todd
• Michael Wincott (Top Dollar)

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Production/editorial “holds up” (behind-the-scenes admiration)

A major section discusses how the film was completed after the tragic death of Brandon Lee during production. The reviewer praises the film’s cohesiveness, pointing to examples of how shots could have been assembled or improvised—such as:

• reflections
• use of a body double without revealing the face

This is framed as a labor of love to finish what Brandon Lee had brought to the role.

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Bottom-line verdict

The reviewer concludes that yes—The Crow (1994) still holds up absolutely.

They describe it as a stylish gothic tragedy of love, loss, and revenge that:

• gets to the point without wasting time
• features memorable villains
• still balances vengeance with real emotional weight

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Personalities / performers mentioned

• Brandon Lee (Eric Draven)
• Ernie Hudson (Sergeant Albrecht)
• Tony Todd (Mr. Gideon / Top Dollar-related role)
• Michael Wincott (Top Dollar)
• Chad Stahelski (stunt/body double work mentioned in production context)
• James O’Barr (graphic novel origin)