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[tab title="Movie Review"]
The world didn’t need a Darkman trilogy. We got one, thanks to the Direct-To-Video route, but both films in the series take our beloved and mostly insane Peyton Westlake down a kinder and gentler path in the narrative department, twisting the first film’s ending to serve the needs of two inferior sequels. We can live with that, I suppose, but we truly didn’t need two more films.
Darkman III: Die Darkman Die, even if Jeff Fahey makes a decent villain, is proof of series fatigue. It is also proof that the rule of thumb regarding slick-haired henchmen is (a) the main one is probably homosexual and (b) they must all live together in a big house.
When originally shot, Darkman III was being prepped as THE sequel to the original film. Fortunately, it was not thanks to the securing of actor Larry Drake and a sequel, featuring Durant’s return to the world of crime, was pieced together by the same screenwriters and director, Bradford May. This one, Die Darkman Die, got re-titled and pushed back. Somehow, though, the third film was more inferior and it closed the doors on Darkman for a long, long, long time.
Believing that there might be more to the Darkman sequels than what was previously thought, Scream Factory concludes their handling of all three flicks with this release. There really isn’t but, for completists, it’ll be worth owning for the occasional rainy day when you revisit the series.
Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert serve as executive producers once again, so there is some continuity included with the back-to-back sequels. The films also open with the montage recap that gives us time to catch up with the demented dealings of Darkman. With this B-movie, though, we get a bit more gore, a beheading, and some interesting eye inflictions.
The rest is rather rote; you know what to expect by its theatrics. The only surprise comes in the form of a family that Darkman seems to adopt. None of that formula excuses Arnold Vosloo’s sheer boredom in the title role, though. Maybe it was confusing time for him. I mean, with the whole change in characterization from the first to the second, I’d be confused, too. Fortunately, The Mummy was not too far behind.
Co-starring a sexy Darlanne Fluegel as another scientist assisting Peyton in his quest for long-standing synthetic skin, the third film has Peyton crossing paths with a corrupt businessman (Fahey) who wants to know the secrets to Darkman’s superpowers. It is less demanding and less interesting; it is also the final nail in the coffin for this sewer-dwelling crime fighter.
With the release of Darkman III: Die Darkman Die, indeed he does exactly that.
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[tab title="Details"]
MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 87 mins
Director: Bradford May
Writer: Michael Colleary, Mike Werb
Cast: Jeff Fahey, Arnold Vosloo, Darlanne Fluegel
Genre: Action | Crime
Tagline: One fights for justice. The other for power. Only one can survive.
Memorable Movie Quote: "Like the tast of that, Rooker? I pissed in it."
Theatrical Distributor: No theatrical release
Official Site:
Release Date:
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: November 7, 2017
Synopsis: Arnold Vosloo returns as Dr. Peyton Westlake, a.k.a. Darkman, the crime-fighting master of disguises. In this action-packed adventure, Westlake matches wits with underworld drug-dealing villain Peter Rooker (Jeff Fahey), who will do anything to unmask the secret of Westlake's superhuman strength. Agreeing to an experimental operation on his ravaged body, Westlake is flung into a vicious game of survival for himself, his priceless research and the lives of two innocent people. One false move and he will be locked into darkness forever.
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[tab title="Blu-ray Review"]
Blu-ray Details:
Home Video Distributor: Shout Factory
Available on Blu-ray - November 7, 2017
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: None
Language: English
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A
Scream Factory presents Darkman III: Die Darkman Die on 1080p with a fine HD transfer that is detailed and fleshy. It definitely has a new life on blu-ray. With an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and Dolby Digital Stereo track, the film is treated nicely by Scream’s efforts. Nicely saturated, there are no dents in its shiny armor. Colors are strong throughout and are particularly memorable with their inclusion of details and strong edges. Black levels are clearly defined, too. Important considering the film takes place during the evening hours.
Supplements:
Commentary:
-
Included with Scream Factory’s release is audio commentary from director Bradford May.
Special Features:
- A trailer is included.
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