The Crow Collector's Series Boxed Set

Let's just say that the difference between Alex Proyas' original 1994 Gothic revenge fantasy The Crow and its two sequels--1996's The Crow: City of Angels and 2000's direct-to-video The Crow: Salvation--is considerable. Similar (in fact, identical with only minor alterations) in plot only, the sequels (which are served up here with bonus featurettes, commentary tracks, and DVD-ROM features) are best forgotten. Better by far to pick up the 2-disc collector's edition of The Crow, starring the late Brandon Lee as Eric Draven, a rock guitarist who is murdered with his fiancée by underworld thugs, and returns to life (and vengeance) a year later, aided by a mysterious crow. Drawn from a popular comic book series, the cartoonish plot is elevated above its teenage multiplex mentality by Proyas' (who would later direct the stylish Dark City) exceptional eye behind the camera. The jam-packed second disc includes a behind-the-scenes featurette, extended scenes, deleted footage, storyboards, and much more. Buy The Crow (avail. separately for $29.99), but leave its sequel offspring in the nest. (R. Pitman)