Darkman (1990) Review ​

 

A brilliant scientist left for dead returns to exact revenge on the people who burned him alive.

Sam Raimi delivers a pacey, stylish revenge ride, with his trademark kinetic camerawork, Dutch angles and visual flair on full display. Bill Pope's cinematography complements Raimi's restless direction, while Danny Elfman's rousing score - following his work on Batman the previous year - heightens the chaos, Peyton's breakdowns, action set-pieces and quieter emotional moments.

Liam Neeson gives an underrated and often overlooked performance as Peyton Westlake/Darkman, balancing the character's rage, vulnerability and fractured humanity. The film shares clear DNA with, and affectionately nods towards, classic Universal horror, particularly The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) and The Phantom of the Opera, as well as The Elephant Man (1980).

The practical make-up, gore and effects remain remarkably effective, although some of the optical work in the third-act helicopter sequence pulls you out of the moment and slightly undermines the impressive stunt work. Despite being called Darkman, much of the film takes place in daylight, robbing it of some of the nocturnal atmosphere associated with Batman and later comic-book films such as The Crow and The Shadow. Its visual energy nevertheless feels like a clear precursor to Raimi's Spider-Man.

Frances McDormand is somewhat under-used as Julie Hastings, occasionally reduced to the damsel in distress, although she and Neeson have chemistry. Larry Drake is excellent as the deceptively mild-mannered yet quietly lethal Robert G. Durant, while Colin Friels steals the third act as developer Louis Strack Jr. Nelson Mashita, Jessie Lawrence Ferguson and Ted Raimi add memorable support. Bruce Campbell also cameo.

Overall, this effects-driven, action-packed film moves briskly, even if it could have used more dramatic meat and breathing space. Raimi's direction, Elfman's superb score and Neeson's committed performance make Darkman an entertaining and distinctive slice of early-1990s comic-book horror.Raimi'S brisk, effects-driven, action-packed film.