One of my favorite "superhero" films. Larry Drake is a convincing villain and Neeson is good as a reluctant hero whose more set on revenge (and getting his life back to as normal as he possibly can) rather than saving the day for anyone other than his girlfriend.
From Amazon: When attorney Julie Hastings uncovers corrupt city real estate dealings, evil thugs attack her scientist boyfriend, Peyton Westlake. Left for dead after his lab is detonated, he miraculously survives but at a city hospital is unknowingly submitted to radical therapy that numbs his nerves to feeling--but heightens his strength and his emotions. Horribly burned and scarred, he uses synthetic skin to impersonate his would-be murderers and seek retribution for their evil deeds. While the film has an average script, it is overcome by the flashy cinematography of Bill Pope, the bombastic score by Danny Elfman, and the well-choreographed direction of Sam Raimi. The director confidently walks the line between suspense, action, comedy, and romance as he examines a bitter, victimized antihero who risks becoming as monstrous on the inside as he appears on the outside.
Story by Sam Raimi (who intended to roll this into a sequel or two himself, but later gave those rights to a straight to video director with Arnold Vosloo as Darkman in II and III).
Featuring: Liam Neeson, Frances McDormand, Larry Drake, Colin Friels, Ted Raimi, and of course a cameo by Bruce Campbell.
Misc:
The beige 70's-vintage Oldsmobile seen in so many of Sam Raimi's films appears when Darkman is flying over the bridge dodging oncoming traffic. During a close-up shot of the oncoming Olds, you can see Sam Raimi's friends (and fellow filmmakers) Joel and Ethan Coen driving the car.
Raimi originally wanted to base this movie on "The Shadow" and had to create the character of "Darkman" when he couldn't obtain the rights.
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