This collection gathers all the Darkman films together in one set. However great the original is, the two sequels still pale in comparison. It didn’t help that the sequels were made on the cheap and recast.
Darkman (4 stars): Directed by Sam Raimi, with all-new 5.1 surround sound, the original adventure introduces Dr. Payton Westlake (Liam Neeson), on the verge of a major breakthrough in synthetic skin when a gang obliterates his lab and changes his life forever.
Darkman II: The Return of Durant (2.5 stars): The crime-fighting master of disguises returns for revenge against the sadistic villain Durant (Larry Drake) in this pulse-pounding sequel to the hit film.
Darkman III: Die Darkman Die (2 stars): In this gripping adventure, Darkman matches wits with underworld drug dealer Peter Rooker (Jeff Fahey), who will do anything to unmask the secret of Darkman’s superhuman strength.”
Sam Raimi wanted to make a superhero film and since the rights to both Batman and the Shadow were taken, he made one up of his own. Payton Westlake (Liam Neeson) is working on an artificial skin, but his horribly disfigured when his lab is burned down by the villainous Durant (Larry Drake). He gets his formula to work but it only works 99 minutes at a time. So he can only look normal for a short time.
He wants to get back together with his love Julie (Frances McDormand) but has to perfect the formula to have a permanent effect. So he’s now driven to solve the formula but he’s also driven to find Durant and avenge himself.
After seeing Spiderman, Liam Neeson once quipped that he had made that movie before with Raimi, it just didn’t have the red and blue suit. Darkman is the breeding ground for Raimi’s Spiderman and some even consider it a better film. I do like the Shadow references and can only fanaticize about what a better Shadow it would’ve been if Raimi were in charge.
The film was successful enough that two direct-to-video sequels were commissioned, but they were not of the same quality.
The role of Darkman was recast to Arnold Vosloo. He’s been okay in other films but the two sequels were not given much of a budget and even reused effects scenes from the first film.
Larry Drake returned for Darkman II, but it still was a long way from the first movie. Especially since Durant’s return is done without much explanation. Darkman III features Jeff Fahey going over the top of over the top and it brings the picture down.
All of the films are presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) and enhanced for 16x9 television. Darkman and Darkman II are on disc one and Darkman III is on disc two. Sadly there are no special features save for trailers for Darkman and Darkman II (Darkman III doesn’t even have menus).
This is especially disappointing considering Raimi’s new fame and that the first film is long past deserving a special edition.
If you don’t have any of the films this might be an easy way to pick them up, but you may just want to find a cheap copy of the first film or hold out for a better edition.
Darkman Trilogy is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for this collection in the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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