It seems that Sam Raimi’s Darkman is getting a whole lotta
positive attention lately from all the right people, Scream Factory included.
First, I’ve been noticing the infamous Tony Gardner marred Liam Neeson visage adorning a mask from
Trick Or Treat Studios at horror conventions. It’s a gory good time. Then there
have recently been two local 35mm screenings. The most recent screening was at
First Friday Fright Night at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, PA (where
they filmed the original Blob theatre scene). At that screening they had a
fella dressed up as Darkman and even gave away copies of the upcoming Scream
Factory Blu-ray release. While I was unable to make it to the Colonial
screening I had the opportunity to catch it at the Exhumed Films 24 Hour
Horror-thon this past October. This movie demands a big beautiful screen. It’s
much larger than you might remember if you only caught it on the small screen
or upon its initial theatrical release. The crowd was enthralled with it; an
excellent choice by the four horseman of Exhumed Films. If you missed these
screenings then there’s an alternative that will cut your fingers off right in
your own home.
Synopsis from Scream Factory:
Dr. Peyton Westlake (Neeson) is on the verge of realizing a major breakthrough in the creation of synthetic skin when his laboratory is blown up by gangsters. Having been burned beyond recognition and forever altered by an experimental medical procedure, Westlake becomes known as Darkman, assuming alternate identities in his quest for revenge and a new life with his former love (McDormand).
Trailer:
Darkman is a visually stunning movie, and that’s even before
the Scream Factory guys got their hands on it. The strange choice of camera
angles or movement combined with outlandish borderline comedic physical comedy
and some special effects that have a comic book quality all combine to create a
fantastic, alternate reality. This is the kind of movie that taught Sin City
how to create strange, hyper-real sets and shots (whether it is a direct
influence or not). It’s obvious that Raimi, creator of Evil Dead 2, was well
equipped to create humor in this way. You might even feel as though some of
these visual queues come straight out of Raimi’s earlier work and speak of his
style. Watching the interviews on this disc will help you to see just how they came
up with some of the strange shot choices and makeup effects the create a very
iconic horror hero and the distinct look that makes Darkman more than a
senseless revenge film. This is one is a well thought out, intelligent horror
action picture with a shredded faced good guy who looks like he should be the
bad guy. He wears his trench coat like a super hero wears a cape.
The story itself is heartbreaking. It borders on the mad
scientist tales of the 1940’s where the well intentioned innovator creates a
new technology that will change the face of humanity. His work is then cut
short by unforeseen circumstances, in this case a dreaded crime syndicate,
power hungry and sadistic. The scientist and and his assistant suffer due to
some precarious zoning violations, and thus ends the pretty face of our beloved
mad scientists. Don’t worry. He’ll get it back (for 99 minutes at a clip). The
love story between Dr. Westlake (Neeson) and his romantic interest (Frances
Dormand) is made real by some very candid moments they spent alone which seem in
stark contrast to the brutal and noir world created by Raimi. There’s actual
development of characters for which we can feel immense sympathy for and for
whom we can root. You want Darkman (Dr. Westlake) to have his revenge on the
crime syndicate, and you won’t care how violent or at what cost he attains it.
This collector’s edition is Blu-ray only (as opposed to
double disc including both). It does contain a slip sleep and features both
newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin (one of my personal favorites) and
traditional artwork on the reverse side. This disc is loaded. It contains
interviews with Frances Dormand, Larry Drake, Dan Bell, Danny Hicks, Liam
Neeson, the production designer Randy Ser and art director Philip Dagort as
well as the special makeup creator Tony Gardner. The commentary track provided
is with DOP Bill Pope (no real Raimi involvement here). The extras include the
original storyboards, theatrical trailer, TV spots and vintage electronic press
kit as well as some vintage cast and crew profiles. The audio is DTS-HD Master
Audio 5.1 and video is an HD widescreen transfer 1080p (1.85:1). It’s loaded
with extras… to the brim.
For a movie from 1990 you’re looking at a film that still
feels somewhat futuristic and thus relevant as if crafted by mind of Philip K.
Dick. The only thing that dates this
thing is the computer tech and Frances Dormand’s attire. Aside from that, cigar
cutters and machine guns will always win over the action fan. Well groomed
physical effects with strange voiceovers and mushy gushy synthetic skin will
win over the effects guys (fans of Incredible Melting Man… see what’s been done
since Stan Winston melted a guy). Larry
Drake will win over the horror fans (if the gruesome makeup covering Weslake’s
face doesn’t). Scream Factory cared for this release, harvested some truly
special content and then gave it a new face with Pullin’s art, ironic in a way.
Favorite special feature: the Larry Drake interview. That man is a
professional. He seems to care about his craft, his audience and he delivers as
one of the baddest of baddies we’ve seen on Blu-ray. He’s come a long way since
Dark Night of the Scarecrow.
-Doc Terror
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