Darkman (1990)
Sam Raimi's first foray into genre films following Evil Dead one and two is an absolute joy. Taking inspiration from Grand Guignol and classic Universal monster and gangster movies as well as classic literature such as Phantom of the Opera, Darkman is a triumph. Liam Neeson takes the lead role and is perfect in it. Neeson's a big guy so has the natural physique for an avenging angel / superhero role as we've seen in later years but here he also carries off the tragedy in style as shown in his love affair with Francis McDormand.
You can still tell Darkman is a Sam Raimi movie, ideas and motifs from his Evil Dead movies remain and at times the screams and deaths of characters come over all Bruce Campbell, and the effects are memorably gloopy, but on the whole it's a more serious film than any of the Evil Dead ones.
It's also great to see Raimi allowed a budget for a movie as he certainly knows how to get the best out of one especially the thrilling finale which culminates in a twin helicopter stand off and chase above the streets of Los Angeles.
As the end credits rolled one question really hit me hard. Why the hell in thirty years have i only just seen this?
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