Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.0

Crowley Blu-ray Movie Review

Don't buy this film, but otherwise do what thou wilt.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 26, 2015

Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) was once labeled "the wickedest man in the world" and was thought to be, amongst other things, a government agent, an occultist, a satanist, and a social commentator known for his four-word anarchist credo: "do what thou wilt." He's also famous for appearing on the cover of the Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. But enough about Crowley (there's an extensive Wikipedia page for anyone interested; it's a much more interesting read than this movie is a watch). Crowley isn't a biopic, which may have been immensely more intriguing, but is instead a wild-haired Sci-Fi/Horror/"Fantasy" film in which the polarizing 20th century figure is reincarnated in modern day Cambridge where he proceeds to dabble in a number of dark areas en route to finding a suitable redhead with whom he can mate to strengthen his power. Or something. The movie is a train wreck that's barely coherent, gleefully sadistic, and frankly too bizarre for its own good.

Crowley version 2.0. Or higher, depending...

Cambridge Professor Oliver Haddo (Simon Callow) surreptitiously makes use of an advanced virtual reality machine which somehow transfers Aleister Crowley's essence into his body. Now, the wild-haired and stuttering professor surprises students and faculty alike with a shaved head and a decidedly more pointed manner of speech. He introduces himself in a lecture in which he uses crude sexual language and urinates on the front row. As people fall prey to his powers and engage in orgies and occultist activities, he seeks out a red-headed girl to play a part in a ceremony that will bring him greater power. It just so happens that on campus is an attractive young red-headed journalism student named Lia (Lucy Cudden) who is the prefect specimen for Crowley's needs.

Crowley doesn't deal in any sort of fact beyond a base representation of the title character, but even then he's an amped-up reincarnated version of himself, more demon, it seems, than man. The movie deals in dark dealings of satanism, the occult, reincarnation, black magic, orgies, and masturbation. It also dabbles in virtual reality which serves as some gateway to Crowley's inner sanctum. The movie appears to strive towards an end goal of deep insight into the linkage between the physical, metaphysical, and darkly spiritual worlds, but at its best it's an oddball concoction in which the superficial pieces rule, even as the movie aims at some kind of deeper substance that's only swallowed up by images of occultist rape and orgies, urination, semen sent through a copy machine, and a literal steaming pile of poop left on a desk. Certainly, those are only some of the most outrageously crude bits, but the film never manages to bring its story to any level of cohesion or purpose beyond what seems like an ill-conceived fantasy of placing Crowley on some sort of demonic, occultist pedestal, throwing in The Lawnmower Man, and forgetting to find any sort of dramatic purpose beyond the overflow of darkness that the movie spits onto the screen.

If nothing else, screen veteran Simon Callow makes the movie barely tolerable with a spirited performance of Haddo/Crowley, appearing to have a blast with the unorthodox character and fully buying into the symbolism, occultism, satanism, and general debauchery on display. Callow oozes confidence in the part, unafraid to tackle every last corner and crevice of a depraved mind and bring them to life through a madly sadistic effort. The film aims for a moody, darkly atmospheric tone that's pervasive throughout and mildly effective in giving it an even edgier feel than the narrative alone can offer, but it turns from the oddly captivating to the ridiculously absurd every time it moves down into the realm of virtual reality, a plot point that seems to almost discredit the protagonist (antagonist?), effectively stating that his powers are not his own but rather the doings of forces and technologies beyond his control.

Crowley Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Crowley's 1080p transfer generally looks fine. Though it begins with a fairly pasty, flat look for its 1940s segment, the more "modern" (the movie takes place around the time of the Bush/Gore Florida recount) bulk offers clean, healthy, almost vibrant details, particularly evident on complex facial features and wood surfaces around the school. However, it maintains a base flatness and glossiness and never quite captures the most challenging details. Colors are satisfactorily bold, including a dark purple jacket Crowley wears in the film's third act. Black levels favor a mild purple push and flesh tones are slightly pale. Light banding, aliasing, and noise are not uncommon.

Crowley Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Crowley's Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack is, for the most part, healthy, active, and energetic. There are some prioritization problems early on when music devours dialogue as the boys enter Crowley's home, but the track finds a more natural balance afterwards. Music, much of which is of the hard-edge Rock/Metal variety and some of which is of a classic 1940s style, plays with a well defined presence, particularly the former as it blares out of the speakers, front and back alike, with verve and authority. The track enjoys a handful good, basic support pieces. A train moves directionally front to back near the beginning. Light natural ambience fills the stage when the action shifts outdoors. Quality dialogue reverberation bounces through the stage when appropriate. A few heavier effects find adequate heft and presence. Dialogue, which defines most of the film, plays with good, natural center-focused presence and clarity, the early film hiccup noted above aside.

Crowley Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Crowley contains no supplements. No "top" or "pop up" menus are included, either. The movie begins playback immediately after inserting the disc.

Crowley Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Think The Lawnmower Man meets Shocker meets, oh, just about any movie about dark magic or the occult and get a fair idea of what Crowley has to offer. Sadly, it's not as good as it sounds. It's more or less a "what if" bit of Aleister Crowley fan fiction that reincarnates the divisive 20th century figure by way of virtual reality. What sounds fun in theory is instead a middling, often mind-numbing, and poorly crafted film that's little more than a loose story tying together strings of oddity and perversion because it can, not because it should or because it has any dramatic muscle behind it. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of Crowley features good video and strong audio. No supplements are included. Skip it.