Universal Pictures | Release Date: August 24, 1990
8.5
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Universal acclaim based on 256 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
219
Mixed:
26
Negative:
11
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10
TylerDurden900Jul 16, 2014
Darkman has amazing action, stylish visuals and great acting from a clever cast. The screenplay was
written by Sam Raimi and the story is engrossing. The movie has an old school style and the movie
looks newer than it is A+.
29 of 31 users found this helpful292
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9
Spyfighter5000Apr 8, 2013
There may be some cheesy dialogue and scenes to be found here, but I found Darkman and extremely entertaining film. It has a great original plot and brings us back to some of the great old school films such as Phantom of the Opera. Sam RaimiThere may be some cheesy dialogue and scenes to be found here, but I found Darkman and extremely entertaining film. It has a great original plot and brings us back to some of the great old school films such as Phantom of the Opera. Sam Raimi perfectly incorporates his trade mark camera work and dark humour. Great film with some awesome action sequences that were way ahead of it's time. Expand
19 of 21 users found this helpful192
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10
DeanomiteFeb 5, 2020
Pretty innovative. 3d printers in 1990, excellent latex effects, Liam Neeson as leading man comic character. Very much ahead of it's time. Editing is crisp, to have as much plot as it does in 90 minutes is a testament. Photography looksPretty innovative. 3d printers in 1990, excellent latex effects, Liam Neeson as leading man comic character. Very much ahead of it's time. Editing is crisp, to have as much plot as it does in 90 minutes is a testament. Photography looks very good and all characters are developed relatively well. All performances are solid, Neeson shows excellent range. The idea of building a new city on the carcass of an old one is straight out of Robocop, but the movie feels fresh anyways. Somehow it feels like Evil Dead too. Expand
9 of 9 users found this helpful90
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8
DarbyDickinsonMar 20, 2019
i think it is the most Underrated superhero film ever made. directed by Sam Raimi
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
Trey333Nov 26, 2022
Great revenge film. Liam Nielsan's finest performance. He should have given up acting after this.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
Equixz0rJan 11, 2016
Great film! I love the concept of the character and the execution! Sam Raimi did an amazing job. But, did Darkman forget about the skin working at night? After he became the "hero" he never once used the liquid skin at night time and wasGreat film! I love the concept of the character and the execution! Sam Raimi did an amazing job. But, did Darkman forget about the skin working at night? After he became the "hero" he never once used the liquid skin at night time and was always worried about it melting at 99 minutes. After the accident, he completely forgets that i guess cause you never once get to see him us liquid skin at night or in a dark room. Very confusing and the only reason it doesn't get a 10. Expand
5 of 6 users found this helpful51
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4
oliver1hMar 18, 2013
This movie had the potential to be a really dark movie with an interesting anti-hero, but the cheesy dialogs and cheaply made action sequences ruined it.
2 of 7 users found this helpful25
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7
SuperheroMoviesAug 15, 2013
This is an original superhero film that works on many levels, from its frantic action, hilarious dark humor, to Liam Neeson's fine performance as the hero. Darkman is a fun ride.
2 of 7 users found this helpful25
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5
LaGuertaMar 10, 2013
Darkman is over the top yet rather stern, simultaneously. While it would have been perfect as a comic, it doesn't work quite as well as a film. However, it is uncompromising and refuses to patronise its audience and must be commended for that.
1 of 7 users found this helpful16
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7
ydnar4Jul 17, 2015
Darkman is a completely original character created by Sam Rami when he couldn't acquire rights to make a Batman film. Darkman has a fairly simple, revenge driven plot and although there are certainly more than a few similarities betweenDarkman is a completely original character created by Sam Rami when he couldn't acquire rights to make a Batman film. Darkman has a fairly simple, revenge driven plot and although there are certainly more than a few similarities between Batman and Darkman I really enjoy Darkman as a character. A young Liam Neeson was an ideal choice for Darkamn and its a shame that he did not return for a sequel. I'd watch one with him even now 25 years later, and I'm sure it would make lots of money. You can see how Sam Rami was chosen to direct a Spider-man film after watching this one. You can see the similarities between the two films and there are also some influences from Rami's other films like Evil Dead 2. This film also has an excellent score much like Spider-man did afterwards. If you are a real superhero film fan then watch Darkman and you will see a film that influences a lot of the films to come after it. Expand
1 of 11 users found this helpful110
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7
bobbsywJul 13, 2018
It's easy to sneer at now, but it's a well stylised film that is of its time.
0 of 11 users found this helpful011
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6
SpangleFeb 1, 2016
Darkman is a film that is dripping with 1980s-1990s cheese with awful special effects, but manages to overcome that with a fantastic performance from Liam Neeson and a very good superhero origin story. Directed and conceptualized by SamDarkman is a film that is dripping with 1980s-1990s cheese with awful special effects, but manages to overcome that with a fantastic performance from Liam Neeson and a very good superhero origin story. Directed and conceptualized by Sam Raimi, the film is well-written and well-plotted and does a great job siding you with Neeson's character, Darkman. As a superhero film, it plays out largely as it would in a comic and shows Raimi's willingness to adapt his original character to the conventions of the genre. While the special effects do hold the film back, the heartfelt and very well designed character and make-up effects do make up for that negative. Plus, the film is so well-directed by Sam Raimi's sure hand that it is nearly impossible to not enjoy this. A very good time, Darkman is a down-to-earth superhero movie that has a human heart and a human exterior, which makes it all the much better. Expand
0 of 12 users found this helpful012
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8
NBFCJan 9, 2018
It’s a comic-book-like revenge caper and a tragic love story with a healthy dose of Evil Dead-like insanity thrown in for good measure.

What could have been a Z-grade formulaic revenge plot is elevated thanks to Raimi’s energetic filmmaking,
It’s a comic-book-like revenge caper and a tragic love story with a healthy dose of Evil Dead-like insanity thrown in for good measure.

What could have been a Z-grade formulaic revenge plot is elevated thanks to Raimi’s energetic filmmaking, some well-executed action, creative special effects, an awesome score by Danny Elfman, and a talented cast with a great central performance by Neeson.

If you are a Raimi fan, an Evil Dead fan, or just love watching Liam Neeson being a badass; then you owe it to yourself to check out this underrated gem.
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0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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1
PANCHO_SANSAAug 15, 2019
Liam Neeson gives his worst performance ever in this. The script seems like it was written by a 9 year old. The special effects are garbage, even for 1990.
0 of 13 users found this helpful013
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8
HellHoleHorrorFeb 16, 2022
Darkman is a classic eighties film with those amazing effects that just look so real and so much fun. There is plenty of silly action in this film with great dialogue from the actors who seem larger than life. It is hard to fault hisDarkman is a classic eighties film with those amazing effects that just look so real and so much fun. There is plenty of silly action in this film with great dialogue from the actors who seem larger than life. It is hard to fault his excellent action film that sets the vein for Spider-Man (2002) from the same director. The action is almost like a cartoon but as it is handled so well it looks purely and simply ace. Highly enjoyable action film with a bit of brains and character behind its stunning retro effects. Splash together a bit of RoboCop (1987), some The Evil Dead (1981) and The Phantom of the Opera (1925) and you have Darkman! Brilliantly enjoyable comic book action fable. Gotta love the cheesy bad guys and hero. Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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7
NickkanApr 9, 2023
Solid super hero movie with some great ideas and camera shots. The music is also great, but some moments are stupid, but on a entertaining way.
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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5
drlowdonDec 24, 2020
When scientist Peyton Westlake is attacked by gangsters and horribly burnt, he uses the synthetic skin he has developed to take on the appearance of others in order to gain revenge. Sam Raimi brings his usual exaggerated style to Darkman,When scientist Peyton Westlake is attacked by gangsters and horribly burnt, he uses the synthetic skin he has developed to take on the appearance of others in order to gain revenge. Sam Raimi brings his usual exaggerated style to Darkman, but this is a movie that never seems to get out of B-Movie territory. It’s not without it’s merits, and fans of Raimi’s previous work (such as The Evil Dead) will likely find plenty to enjoy, but it just doesn’t quite come together successfully. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
Oceanus_VIJun 22, 2023
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is probably one of the best comicbook characters that didn't actually start out as a comicbook character, he was in fact created by director Sam Raimi. Thinking about that it's actually pretty impressive really, Raimi wanted to make a comicbook movie adaptation of one of the more well-known existing characters but couldn't, so he just made up his own...kudos. What's even more impressive is the fact this character has gone on to become a popular cult comicbook franchise alongside Raimi's other famous creation Ash.

The whole premise behind Darkman in my opinion is a humble beauty and the beast tale really. Obviously Liam Neeson's character gets horribly mutilated but what follows is very similar to that French fairytale. On the other hand you could also say the character is very similar to 'The Phantom of the Opera' both in plot terms and visualisation. I think it's fairly easy to see how Darkman is visually similar to The Phantom with his face mask of bandages and black sweeping attire. His appearance also harks back to other classic dashing heroes of the 30's such as 'The Shadow' and more so 'The Spirit' in the 40's. The age old dark coloured fedora always looking the business. Yet another influence (in my opinion) for Darkman's look could be Universal's sci-fi horror icon The Invisible Man who literately wears the same outfit with bandages of course.

The plot does kinda run along the same lines as 'Beauty and the Beast' or The Phantom. A disfigured man who hides in the shadows existing away from civilisation but watching them from a far at the same time. He has strong feelings for a woman whom he tries to protect and at the same time attempt to open up to her, but of course he cannot, he is conflicted inside over his hideous appearance. He is haunted by inner demons, how he is now treated and looked upon, and of course In this movie there is the added revenge and rage element against the mobsters that destroyed his life and face. Its the old winning formula of a hero (or anti-hero) who is scary for whatever reasons...but that fear draws you in, it intrigues you and makes you cheer for him.

I remember when I first saw this movie back in my teen years I wrote it off as a blatant Batman-esque wannabe (foolishly). Back then I wasn't totally aware of Raimi's work and hadn't seen his Evil Dead movies so I thought the effects were crude and poorly done. Watching now, being wiser and more experienced with movies, its easy to spot those typical Raimi effects and sequences, his way of directing that had become his signature. Yes the effects are still crude looking (carnival mans obvious rubber fingers getting twisted by Westlake), much of the movie showcases really bad bluescreen and some of the movie just looks cheap, but it all has that glorious Raimi style that peaked with 'Army of Darkness'. The most expensive looking aspect of the movie to me seems to be the use of a helicopter towards the end.

Did anyone notice that Darkman's burnt up face looks remarkably similar to Evil Ash's undead face in 'Army of Darkness'? The bottom of the jaw especially looks to be an almost identical design, still great looking though, the makeup and prosthetics are really effective in this film. I also really liked the tiny scene where Westlake's hands get fried in a wicked little stop-motion sequence. Its little touches like that that are pure Raimi and they look marvelous, plus its always nice to see the old methods being used. Looking back now the rage sequences in Westlake's mind are quite amusing too, its all very basic.

On the whole this movie is in all honesty a bit poor visually and not exactly an original concept. The acting is passable throughout but clearly hokey, its a good job Larry Drake is so fantastically cool, evil and distinctive looking as the main bad guy Durant otherwise this may have sunk without a trace. I think the film could of done with some more action sequences at night, hence Dark...man. I realise this title isn't suppose to simply mean a dark brooding gothic type character, its more to do with his damaged psyche and where it leads him. But if ever a character did need some murky menacing action set amongst neon lit skyscrapers its this. Still, you gotta give big kudos to Raimi for thinking this colourful character up out of thin air, to look at this film you could easily be mistaken for thinking it was an adaptation of an already established comicbook character. That is a pretty solid achievement right there.
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0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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