Darkman

Rating:
Summary: Darkman is out there
Review: "Darkman" is a good action movie and features a great performance from Liam Neeson. Scientist Peyton Westlake (Liam Neeson) and his partner are trying to create an antidote in the form of recreated skin from a model, for people with damaged skin, such as burns or scars. Some criminals kill Peyton's partner and blow up the whole lab, and Peyton gets injured so severely that everybody thinks he is dead, even his girlfriend, Julie (Frances McDormand). Peyton will do anything he can to get his hands on the criminals that destroyed his life and made him into this unknown madman.

"Darkman" has some great special effects, a good plot, and best of all, great acting. After he's injured, Peyton becomes a totally different person by developing a flaming temper. Liam Neeson does so good of a job that it will make you wonder who the real criminal is, Peyton or the men that destroyed everything he had.

"Darkman" is like many kinds of movies wrapped into one. It's mainly an action movie, but it has both sci-fi and horror characteristics involved in parts. If you like great action movies, I would recommend getting "Darkman." The two sequels to the movie are also good, but this one is the best.

Rating:
Summary: Darkman is out there
Review: "Darkman" is a good action movie and features a great performance from Liam Neeson. Scientist Peyton Westlake (Liam Neeson) and his partner are trying to create an antidote in the form of recreated skin from a model, for people with damaged skin, such as burns or scars. Some criminals kill Peyton's partner and blow up the whole lab, and Peyton gets injured so severely that everybody thinks he is dead, even his girlfriend, Julie (Frances McDormand). Peyton will do anything he can to get his hands on the criminals that destroyed his life and made him into this unknown madman.

"Darkman" has some great special effects, a good plot, and best of all, great acting. After he's injured, Peyton becomes a totally different person by developing a flaming temper. Liam Neeson does so good of a job that it will make you wonder who the real criminal is, Peyton or the men that destroyed everything he had.

"Darkman" is like many kinds of movies wrapped into one. It's mainly an action movie, but it has both sci-fi and horror characteristics involved in parts. If you like great action movies, I would recommend getting "Darkman." The two sequels to the movie are also good, but this one is the best.

Rating:
Summary: CULT MOVIES 55
Review: 55. DARKMAN (action, 1990) Dr. Peyton Westlake (Liam Neeson) and his partner are on the verge of creating synthetic skin. But somehow they're unable to decipher why the new skin tissue breaks up under light yet holds its form under the dark. Before coming up with their breakthrough they are set upon by henchman Durant (Larry Drake). He thinks that Westlake knows about a lost document that implicates his superiors in criminal dealings. The lab is destroyed and Westlake's partner killed but he miraculously survives. His body, however, is left virtually charred and in a state of coma in a hospital. He undergoes a radical medical procedure that brings him back from the dead with almost superhuman strength. Left without an identity, home or money he seeks the help of his fiancée Julie (Frances McDormand) but she flees in terror not knowing who he is. Peyton finds refuge back in his bombed out lab and sets out to reconstruct it in hopes of using the technology he created to find the men who destroyed him.

Critique: Enjoyable cartoon/action film of what could've been a lame attempt at integrating comic book themes into cinematic form. Creator Sam Raimi finally showed the promise of his auspicious 'Evil Dead' movies which revitalized a flagging staple. Somehow the convoluted screenplay (the product of no less than 6 writers) and the anarchic, 'splatter' mix are exhilaratingly blended together. Raimi creates another wickedly fun character on that of Dr. Westlake/Darkman. He had previously explored this facet in the hero role of 'Ash' (deliciously played by Bruce Campbell- who makes a cameo) from the 'Evil Dead' series. Both characters share strong personalities who are taken on a rollercoaster ride of horror and psychosis. Then finally resurface as a God-like-comic book superhero. And what a unique and wonderful creation Darkman is, filled with a sad sense of humanity turned into a monster. He fits snugly with other legendary stalwarts of the field such as 'The Punisher', 'Daredevil' and even the 'Batman'. Under tons of makeup and ragged clothes Liam Neeson breathes life into his role with relish, a man who wears his emotions on his 'skin'. Larry Drake is also memorable as the 'cigar-cutting' baddy. The operatic, grandiose score by Danny Elfman (who's scores include 'Batman', 'Beetlejuice' and 'Edward Scissorhands'-superhero-types) keeps things bumping along. This is Sam Raimi's most appealing work to date. Also starring future Best ActressOscar winner Frances McDormand as the hapless Julie.

QUOTES: Dr. Westlake: "I am everyone and no one. Everywhere, no where. Call me, Darkman!"

Rating:
Summary: Dark, gothic and violent
Review: A brillant make by Raimi, it was also what got Neeson noticed. Action packed and violence with plenty to spare, this is one to watch. Followed by two sequels that should be burned.

Rating:
Summary: Unmissable well-written film by Evil Dead director.
Review: A scientist attacked in his laboratory and left horribly scarred is presumed dead when his lab is destroyed in an explosion. But having been thrown clear of the blast, and having been given treatment at a hospital which has resulted in him having super-human strength, as well as an ability to avoid physical pain, the scientist is forced to live as an outcost, hiding in the ruins of his lab and becoming 'Darkman'. However, after rebuilding equipment which can develop human skin tissue, he begins copying faces in his quest to track down and bring to justice the gangsters who attacked him, as well as the corrupt property tycoon controlling them.

This is a first-rate film, often sadly overlooked. Its blackly comic approach and its wild, surreal images are unique, and the emotional Darkman, despite his horrific appearance, is a sympathetic and likeable hero. The film is filled with gripping drama, action and strong characters. And watch for a cameo from Bruce Campbell (hero of the Evil Dead films, which are also recommended).

Rating:
Summary: "So that's it, you want me to wear a funny hat?"
Review: Ahh Darkman, Peyton, Liam, you don't have to wear a funny hat we just want you to be you.

I first saw this movie when I was 8 along with other Raimi films. Liam Neeson is great in this film, too bad he lowered his standards and was in a Star Wars films, ick..but this is some great work by him as he does play all the emotions and shows rage very well, especially in the infamous pink stuffed animal scene at the fair...oh the horror.

Interesting to note on MI 2, the film utilizes the classic Darkman original of the finger chopping with the cigar cutter as done by Durant in this film, Rip-off Mr. Woo...shame on you..boo hoo.

I never seen the sequels to this movie, but plan to someday, been saying that since they first came out though.

Bottom line..buy it..rent it...see it..it's Raimi and that's always worth something isn't..especially since there is a fair amount of gore and burnt flesh, yum.

Rating:
Summary: It's a comic, folks
Review: Although most of the reviews here are certainly positive, in the interest of objectivity I sometimes spend more time looking at the unfavorable ones. In the case of this particular film, the negative comments are rather silly. For what Sam Raimi obviously aspired to do here, this movie is close to perfect. It's a walking, talking comic book. Implausible situations, cartoonish characters -- well, that's the whole point. Trashing the film for these things is like saying, "pornography would be ok, if it didn't get people excited." Raimi delivered exactly the film that he meant to. If the dialogue rang a little bit too true, if Neeson's delivery wasn't quite over-the-top enough on that take...well, crank it up a little bit more. This is hardly my favorite film, it'll probably be a generation until I'm ready to sit through it again -- but there's scarcely a false note.

Rating:
Summary: One of the better superhero movies, but not one of the best
Review: Before the Spider-Man franchise, Sam Raimi helmed another comic book superhero film: Darkman. It is the story of many superheroes: a freak accident leaves a man as a societal outcast, struggling to come to grips with this freak that he has become. The first two-thirds of Darkman are superb, but the end of the movie betrays what came before it.

Liam Neeson stars as Dr. Peyton Westlake, a scientist who is working on developing a sort of artificial skin, but the only time the skin can last longer than 99 minutes without combusting is when it's in the dark. When Peyton's girlfriend Julie (Frances McDormand) stumbles upon a memorandum that proves a wealthy land developer named Strack (Colin Friels) has been making underhanded payoffs, a kingpin named Robert G. Durant (Larry Drake) and his men bust into Peyton's lab, killing his assistant and leaving Peyton brutally maimed, with only about one-fourth of his face remaining.

Julie believes that Peyton is dead when all they could find of him was an ear, but meanwhile Peyton has set up shop in an abandoned warehouse, continuing to work on his invention. He doesn't want anyone, most especially Julie, to see him in his disfigured state, and he begins using his artificial skins as disguises to go after Durant and his men and extract his revenge.

When Darkman is concentrating on Peyton's feeling as he struggle to deal with being disfigured, it is very effective. Where it falls apart for me is when Peyton magically turns into an action hero; it's hard to believe that this scientist, who was badly burned and left with no superpowers except the ability to withstand pain, is able to suddenly fight like a regular martial artist. I understand that this is a superhero movie, and that's what's supposed to happen, but in the best movies of this genre (see: Spider-Man and Hulk), there is sufficient reasoning provided. But this is probably nitpicking, and Darkman can still be considered one of the better (though not one of the best) comic book superhero films.

Rating:
Summary: Comic Book style film
Review: Darkman has been one of my favourites for a while. The movie may be comical at some times but also kind of believable in a weïrd way. Sam Raimi's best art work with good camera angles and a very wonderfully composed score by Danny Elfman. Liam Neeson plays Payton Westlake a scientist on the verge of discovering a breakthrough in the world of skin synthetics. But when a group of thugs destroy his life to steal a document, everything is gone. Brutally scared from burns that would be uncontrollable pain, and altered by a experimental treatment, he begins to assume identities and to revenge Peytons death. Darkman is rated R for Adult Content, Violence, and some language. Personally I would give this movie a PG-13 rating due to its comic bookesque feel, it isn't extremely believable, and the language is mild, with no sexual content or nudity.

Rating:
Summary: Comic Book style film
Review: Darkman has been one of my favourites for a while. The movie may be comical at some times but also kind of believable in a weïrd way. Sam Raimi's best art work with good camera angles and a very wonderfully composed score by Danny Elfman. Liam Neeson plays Payton Westlake a scientist on the verge of discovering a breakthrough in the world of skin synthetics. But when a group of thugs destroy his life to steal a document, everything is gone. Brutally scared from burns that would be uncontrollable pain, and altered by a experimental treatment, he begins to assume identities and to revenge Peytons death. Darkman is rated R for Adult Content, Violence, and some language. Personally I would give this movie a PG-13 rating due to its comic bookesque feel, it isn't extremely believable, and the language is mild, with no sexual content or nudity.