By Angela Espinoza, Arts Editor
1/5
Where does one begin with such an utter disappointment? The Raven was released into theatres Friday, April 27 to abysmal reviews (including this one!), which, in all honesty, is quite a shame. But first, let us backtrack:
In Baltimore, supposedly 1849, a series of grisly murders have taken place, all reflecting poems of the once respected (now bumbling drunk) Edgar Allan Poe (John Cusack). Poe is then recruited to aide the lovable inspector Emmett Fields (Luke Evans) in following the clues before more deaths can occur. The stakes are raised, however, when Poe’s beloved fiancée Emily Hamilton (Alice Eve) is kidnapped by the culprit. It is now up to Poe to… write… her to the rescue.
The first half of the film actually makes for a decent mystery, with the only outstanding issue being Cusack himself. Cusack manages to Nic Cage things up, making for an unlikable, rambling, short-fused caricature of Edgar Allan Poe. His best onscreen moments are perhaps shared with the likes of Eve, who manages to make for a compelling, strong, and interesting love interest (albeit one that is clearly a damsel in distress).
Unfortunately, The Raven’s weakly-fused plot eventually has a mere thread holding the baffling twists and turns together: Poe must save Emily. By the last 10 minutes though, that thread is violently torn apart, building up to an impossible and confusing ending that literally leaves the viewer for dead.
Save this one for a potential bad movie night—drink every time a raven appears on screen of course being the main rule.
