Darkman

1990 "They destroyed everything he had, everything he was. Now, crime has a new enemy and justice has a new face."
6.4| 1h35m| R| en| More Info
Released: 24 August 1990 Released
Producted By: Universal Pictures
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

Dr. Peyton Westlake is on the verge of realizing a major breakthrough in synthetic skin when his laboratory is destroyed 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 a former love.

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Reviews

Unlimitedia Sick Product of a Sick System
CommentsXp Best movie ever!
Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.
Deanna There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.
Leofwine_draca Sam Raimi's inventive, wild action film is a difficult one to define. Part tragedy, part melodrama, part horror, part science fiction and part horror, there is even a broad streak of humour, which, as Raimi fans will no doubt guess, owes much of its inspiration to THE THREE STOOGES. DARKMAN is a highly entertaining film, made all the more remarkable when one considers what has been done with the low budget.Every penny has been spent on bringing the visual effects to the screen, and they're all present and correct. Much of the SFX is unrealistic looking, which is to be expected from the budget, and back projection figures predominantly. I have no problem with this, however, as all effects are at least passable. There are a number of early and impressive computer graphics too, mainly in the shape of synthetic noses and faces, as well as lots of explosions at the end of the film in an exciting action sequence. Indeed action fans are advised to watch this film alone for the helicopter 'ride' at the end. This sequence is very entertaining, and other shootouts and gun battles add to the action score.When watching the film, it soon becomes clear that there are many, many inspirations and references to other films, such as PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, DOCTOR X, HOUSE OF WAX, ROBOCOP, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, THE ELEPHANT MAN, BATMAN, many more too. It just adds to the fun as you see these visual references. Speaking of visuals, expect the film to be chock-full of Raimi's trademark wacky stuff, such as POV shots from gun barrels and many bizarre psychedelic sequences.The cast is a dream come true for the cult fan, featuring just about anybody who knows Raimi and a whole lot more. In fact there was hardly a single person I didn't recognise. The female lead, Frances McDormand, is better known to audiences for her role in the Coen brothers' FARGO, while the evil villain, Larry Drake, has appeared in dreck like DR GIGGLES. Both cope well with their respective roles, with McDormand the more believable of the two, Drake acts more in a comic book way, especially with his special cigar cutter (a great device for some truly wince-inducing sequences). Liam Neeson is the surprise hero, and it's good to see Neeson in a role like this before he was famous and he acts very well, conveying pathos and feeling as well as some choice comic dialogue. I loved the way he had a hoarse throat after the explosion.The rest of the cast is basically star studded. Bruce Campbell gets to make his expected cameo appearance in a very clever way at the end of the film, while Jenny Agutter also puts in a surprise appearance. Criminals making up Drake's gang include Nicholas Worth and Dan Hicks (INTRUDER), as well as Ted Raimi as a young, mean, sadistic pervert.DARKMAN may be both clichéd and too over the top, with an out of place melodramatic score, but somehow all the ingredients gel together very well to produce a startling, inventive minor classic of the genre, with lots to watch and look at and many innovative scenes. Better than its origins, definitely. I can only wish Raimi had kept making films like this instead of rubbish like FOR LOVE OF THE GAME; stick to what you're good at, man!
Phil Hubbs This is probably one of the best comicbook characters that didn't actually start out as a comicbook character, he was in fact created by director Sam Raimi. Thinking about that its actually pretty impressive really, Raimi wanted to make a comicbook movie adaptation of one of the more well known existing characters but couldn't, so he just made up his own...kudos. What's even more impressive is the fact this character has gone on to become a popular cult comicbook franchise alongside Raimi's other famous creation Ash.The whole premise behind Darkman in my opinion is a humble beauty and the beast tale really. Obviously Liam Neeson's character gets horribly mutilated but what follows is very similar to that French fairytale. On the other hand you could also say the character is very similar to 'The Phantom of the Opera' both in plot terms and visualisation. I think its fairly easy to see how Darkman is visually similar to The Phantom with his face mask of bandages and black sweeping attire. His appearance also harks back to other classic dashing heroes of the 30's such as The Shadow and more so The Spirit in the 40's, the age old dark coloured fedora always looking the business. Yet another influence (in my opinion) for Darkman's look could be Universal's sci-fi horror icon The Invisible Man who literately wears the same outfit with bandages of course.The plot does kinda run along the same lines as 'Beauty and the Beast' or The Phantom. A disfigured man who hides in the shadows existing away from civilisation but watching them from a far at the same time. He has strong feelings for a woman whom he tries to protect and at the same time attempt to open up to her, but of course he cannot, he is conflicted inside over his hideous appearance. He is haunted by inner demons, how he is now treated and looked upon, and of course In this movie there is the added revenge and rage element against the mobsters that destroyed his life and face. Its the old winning formula of a hero (or anti-hero) who is scary for whatever reasons...but that fear draws you in, it intrigues you and makes you cheer for him.I remember when I first saw this movie back in my teen years I wrote it off as a blatant Batman-esque wannabe (foolishly). Back then I wasn't totally aware of Raimi's work and hadn't seen his Evil Dead movies so I thought the effects were crude and poorly done. Watching now, being wiser and more experienced with movies, its easy to spot those typical Raimi effects and sequences, his way of directing that had become his signature. Yes the effects are still crude looking (carnival mans obvious rubber fingers getting twisted by Westlake), much of the movie showcases really bad bluescreen and some of the movie just looks cheap, but it all has that glorious Raimi style that peaked with 'Army of Darkness'. The most expensive looking aspect of the movie to me seems to be the use of a helicopter towards the end.Did anyone notice that Darkman's burnt up face looks remarkably similar to Evil Ash's undead face in 'Army of Darkness'? The bottom of the jaw especially looks to be an almost identical design, still great looking though, the makeup and prosthetics are really effective in this film. I also really liked the tiny scene where Westlake's hands get fried in a wicked little stop-motion sequence. Its little touches like that that are pure Raimi and they look marvelous, plus its always nice to see the old methods being used. Looking back now the rage sequences in Westlake's mind are quite amusing too, its all very basic.On the whole this movie is in all honesty a bit poor visually and not exactly an original concept. The acting is passable throughout but clearly hokey, its a good job Larry Drake is so fantastically cool, evil and distinctive looking as the main bad guy Durant otherwise this may have sunk without a trace. I think the film could of done with some more action sequences at night, hence Dark...man. I realise this title isn't suppose to simply mean a dark brooding Gothic type character, its more to do with his damaged psyche and where it leads him. But if ever a character did need some murky menacing action set amongst neon lit skyscrapers its this. Still, you gotta give big kudos to Raimi for thinking this colourful character up out of thin air, to look at this film you could easily be mistaken for thinking it was an adaptation of an already established comicbook character. That is a pretty solid achievement right there.7/10
gwnightscream Liam Neeson, Frances McDormand, Colin Friels and Larry Drake star in Sam Raimi's 1990 action film. Neeson (Taken) plays scientist, Peyton Westlake who is on the verge of completing a synthetic skin experiment. Soon, he's badly burned and left for dead after a gang of thugs break into his lab seeking a document. Peyton hides in the shadows desperately trying to regain his life and exacts revenge on them and their boss, Robert Durant (Drake) by cleverly disguising himself with their looks. McDormand (Fargo) plays Peyton's girlfriend, Julie Hastings who is a lawyer and Friels plays her crooked, business partner, Louis Strack who is the one pulling Durant's strings. Raimi's brother, Ted appears briefly as Rick, one of Durant's thugs, Director, John Landis and his "An American Werewolf in London" co-star, Jenny Agutter also make cameos along with Raimi and Bruce Campbell (The Evil Dead). This a good action/revenge flick with Gothic, comic book and slapstick aspects. Neeson is great as usual, He & McDormand have good chemistry, Danny Elfman's score is great as usual and Tony Gardner's make-up effects are also great. I recommend this.
ersinkdotcom Many people think the "Spider-Man" trilogy was director Sam Raimi's first crack at the comic book and super hero genres. Although Darkman was an original creation of the "Evil Dead" helmsman, the character was born out of Raimi's frustration at not being able to acquire the rights to make a Batman or Shadow movie. In essence, he worked backwards. The movie came first and then the comic followed.Dr. Peyton Westlake (Liam Neeson) is on the brink of discovering the secret to creating synthetic skin when his laboratory is raided and destroyed by mobsters. Left for dead, the scientist is scarred and deformed beyond recognition. He takes on the alter ego of Darkman, using his synthetic skin to take on the identity of his enemies and exact revenge upon them for his plight."Darkman" Collector's Edition is rated R for violence and language. If the movie were put out today, it easily would've been given a PG-13 rating. There's no nudity or adult situations.Some people might be offended by Darkman's willingness to take a life. Unlike Superman or even Batman these days, the character has no problem dropping bad guys from a flying helicopter or blowing them up in his lab. You might say he lives by the credo "An eye for an eye."The movie also delves into the concept of unconditional love. Can Dr. Westlake's girlfriend (Frances McDormand) accept him the way he looks now? It also begs the question, "What are you willing to give up to get revenge?""Darkman" is a great example of Sam Raimi's early work as he climbed the ladder to become one of the most sought-after directors in Hollywood. It's a testimony to the perseverance of a filmmaker doing what he wants. If Raimi couldn't make his Batman or Shadow movie, he'd just combine the two into one character and do his own thing. He was successful as is proved by the large cult following the movie has.