Customer Reviews

The Crow - Stairway To Heaven [VHS]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This is the opening two episodes for the Crow television series. As such it is a remake of the original Crow movie but it has been changed so that it is better suited to an ongoing series, i.e. Eric doesn't return to the grave at the end. It also introduces the Snakes, who are supernatural enemies of Crows, setting things up for future confrontations.

On the plus side, the series featured an exceptional cast. Mark Dacascos, who plays Eric, is a real find as he not only bears some resemblance to Brandon Lee but also has some exceptional martial arts moves and can act as well. It's a shame that he seems relegated to making B movies while Jean-Claude van Damme and Stephan Seagal get the high profile martial arts flicks. It's almost worth watching this video just to see him. Sabine Karsenti is lovely as Shelley and she and Dacascos have some real chemistry in their scenes together. And John Pyper-Ferguson does his usual good job as the villainous Top Dollar.

On the negative side, production values are lower since this was made for a straight-to-syndication television series. As is typical of this sort of effort, things didn't really start falling into place until several episodes into the series when everyone started getting really settled into their roles and the scriptwriters became more comfortable writing the different characters. At this early point, everything still felt a little stilted.

Something that you may or may not consider a bad thing is that it's also not as gloomy as the original movie. While not exactly upbeat, its not depressing either. There is an ongoing theme of hope, redemption, and rebirth in the series and it shows in this episode. If you're one of those Gen-X sorts who likes to wear all black and wander around complaining about how badly life sucks, this probably isn't a version of the Crow that you'll enjoy but other fans of the character probably do want to take a look at it.

Is it worth buying? I really can't see paying the current price (I hate priced to rent stuff) for any video tape but if it comes down to something more reasonable it's definitely on my buy list. In the meantime, rent it and hope that they eventually release the better later episodes as well.

People say that when you remake something, if you don't have a good idea of what the original's soul was, then what's the point? This TV series was every bit a vessel for the ideals of justice, good over evil, and romance as the original movie. Anyone who says different is simply whining, and isn't likely to be pleased by anything but the original. Mark is incredible, both in acting and martial arts. He is every bit as moving and intriquing as Brandon Lee ever was. The soundtrack, featuring some great if slightly unknown talet, is nothing short of a complete emotional experience in itself. The single, "Goodbye," by the alt rock group The Painkillers featured in one of the last episodes still sticks with me months later. My only regret is that they may not release all the episodes, and that this movie is only available on VHS and not DVD as well. If you love the movie, you'll love the series. If all you could think while watching Crow 2: City of angels was "He isn't as cool as brandon lee" then don't waste you time or money. Go read your comic books instead.

To me the Crow Stairway to Heaven was a great follow up from the orignal movie "The Crow". The second move of the Crow was a poor follow up. The Video Stairway to Heaven turned into a TV series followed the the begining of the comic book and also the orignal movie but with a twist. He doen't go back to rest like the movie. But the acting was great and the story lines were very good. Mark Dacascos, does an excellant job playing his part has Eric. And it was a shame that the TV series ended. Those who say they true Crow fans that follow the comic book, should stick to reading the Comic book and probably should subscribe to Marvel. The video to me is a must see and if you can see the TV series, should.

This is the first two episodes of the TV series, which was unfortunately cancelled due to Universal buying out the syndicate that was producing the show, Universal cancelled it despite the fact that it had decent ratings for the first season and had already started filming the second season episodes. Naturally, since this was made for the TV series, there are differences from the original movie... There had to be something to build future episodes on. I notice alot of people complaining about this release and comparing it to the original, what is funny and somewhat sad is that if Brandon Lee had not died durin the filming of The Crow, it probably would have one done in history as just another B grade movie with good fight scenes. All of that said, this movie is worth watching, as is the rest of the series. With it's unfortunate cancellation, Universal round filed a series that could have been a winner for them. This is a good start to collectin the season if it is ever released, and if not, a good addition to your video collection for a different take on the same concept. Mark Dacascos is excellent a Eric, the woman playing Shelley is just beautiful and although they have not yet gotten into the swin of their characters yet, they still show the depth of attachment they will later perfect during the series. Again, well worth buying.

I've been a big fan of "The Crow" movies and especially the TV series. This video takes the first two episodes and combines them into one excellent movie. While the original "Crow" concentrated on justice and vengeance, this Crow is still out for revenge, however he has hope. While he is not reunited with Shelly, as in the original movie, he spends his time on earth righting the wrongs of the innocents who cannot defend themselves. This Crow metes out a moral justice, by letting the "bad guys" live with the true horror of their deeds. This Crow also has a "flair" for the martial arts. Mark Dacascos is a champion and his skills are more than evident. While this Crow lets most of the bad guys live; he can still kick some ***. Definitely worth checking out!!!

I've seen all the episodes of The Crow: Stairway to Heaven and the video release if the first two episodes. Both eps are great, taking something that has been done before in the original movie and making it something brand new. The creator of the series did an excellent job bring The Crow to the small screen.

Being a huge fan of the first two Crow movies, especially the first, the television series is excellent. Mark Dascascos is the closest i've seen to Brandon Lee in appearance. The movie get's my thumb's up. What a powerful ending.

This "movie" is really nothing more than the first two episodes of the now-cancelled syndicated TV show. It features cheesy production values, bargain-basement acting and a grade-Z script. The first hour of this movie is basically just a cheapo remake of the classic movie starring the late Brandon Lee, except this made for TV version gets rid of everything that made the movie great, the dark atmosphere, the poetic dialog. The second hour expands the story into some hokum about Crows vs. snakes or something like that. What's next? A "Crow Adventures" cartoon on FoxKids in the afternoon?

This series is based on the originial (Not surpassing it, though) It shows a battle between the Crow and the Snake. The human-villains are made supernatural, which is a good add.

If Brandon Lee was still alive, he probably would've starred in this.... Well, putting the sad things aside, I will advise you to buy this.

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Sorry, can't remember any quotes at the moment.

They basically took The Crow and redid it here. similar characters, names, some appearance and such, basic order of events, some lines. The actors are ALL different and barely look the same. It is not nearly as beautiful or dramatic. Some lines are repeated, but with different context and no feeling. It feels rushed. The city is not dark or rainy like the original. It almost looks like it was made for a tv series. It's not really worth the money, and I'd rather watch the crow 2 than this blasphemous remake. I don't really know why they made it. It wouldn't make sense for this to replace an out of stock original; it can just be re-released. I rented it thinking it was the crow 3, but was disappointed and disgusted. it's not worth it; they asted time and money in making it. I actually give it 0 stars but 1 was the minumum.