Crowley

Crowley (2008)

This is a strange movie that attempts to marry the ideas of Aleister Crowley and quantum physics, or at least I think that is what they were trying to do. The movie opens in the 40s with a very sick Crowley going on about his theories with a couple of impressionable college students. He dies while visiting them and years later the elderly men witness his resurrection thru the use of technology. Using computer equipment and a virtual world the sum of Crowley’s knowledge is downloaded into the mind of a college professor. So we are never quite sure if it is actually Crowley back from the dead or if perhaps he just thinks he is Crowley because of all the knowledge. Anyway a bunch of stuff happens, much is made of a chemical wedding that will finalize Crowley’s resurrection, and a bit of math saves the day.

I’m not trying to be flip with my plot synopsis, but the truth is this is a difficult movie to follow and explain. I think the plot makes some assumptions to the knowledge of the audience and expects that we have a working knowledge of Crowley’s philosophies and belief system. I don’t and I’m just not that interested in a movie that requires homework to understand. There is much talk made of a chemical wedding and how it is a big to do, when it just seems that all you do is swap some blood with a handy syringe. Also the ending of the movie fell flat as it suddenly becomes enter the computer to save the world time. Hell they enter a math formula to save the day, which without giving anything away I hated the pat ending and the shot they took at the end (trust me you can’t miss it) which has nothing to do with the movie and felt tacked on and unnecessary. Now having ripped on the movie as much as I have I will say that there are some cool ideas that are buried in the plot. There are twisted ideas and scenes with the ceremony/orgy at the new age store, the redheaded prostitute that Crowley “nails”, and before they did the whole enter the VR world to do battle with Crowley I rather enjoyed the melding of computer technology and the occult. The idea that they never really explain if he is back or if the character is delusional because of the download was really interesting.

Technically this is a solidly made movie. The camera work and lighting are solid, but not spectacular. There are a couple of nice sets and they avoid the temptation to use too much CGI when doing the whole virtual world thing. There are a couple of deaths, but they all happen off screen. The only really memorable effect is a needle to the eyeball, which I can’t lie had me a little sick to my stomach. Anything with the eyes always freaks me out and the effect here is really well done. Other than that there isn’t much more to say.

I think this movie has some potential but just missed the mark. Most viewers are going to get lost with all the philosophy and spouting off about chemical weddings and sexual magic. Unless this is your thing I think you might want to pass. At best I would say Crowley is a rental. This comes out on DVD Tuesday March 10th from Anchor Bay. Check out there website at http://www.anchorbayentertainment.com/ for more information.

2 out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer