DVD Review - Cronos
Cronos was Guillermo del Toro's first feature film and even at this early stage we can see what a genius this man is. And we can also see that he has a taste for things that are very different.
Back in the 1500s an alchemist invents a device that brings him eternal life. It works for him until 1997. He called the device Cronos. An aging antiques dealer Jesus Gris (Federico Luppi) somehow winds up with the device and starts to play around with it. He doesn't have a clue as to the danger that he is putting himself in by using this device. Once the contraption digs its claws into you, you become a strange type of vampire requiring regular feedings of blood. A dying tycoon, Dieter de La Guardia (Claudio Brook) also wants the device so that he may prolong his life. He sends his ghoulish nephew Angel (Ron Perlman) on a mission to get Cronos at any cost. Also in the mix are Jesus's wife Mercedes (Margarita Isabel), who doesn't have a clue as to what is going on and his granddaughter Aurora (Tamara Shanath) who is totally devoted to her grandfather and wise beyond her years.
Cronos explores the theme of what people will do to live forever. The film certainly doesn't make a case for it. Rather is tries to find out why someone would want to do so. Mr. del Toro's work is marvelous and on par with many more experienced filmmakers. The cinematography by Guillermo Navarro is just splendid as he captures every creepy detail. The whole cast is good but Luppi is truly outstanding. It amazes me that he is not more well known in the US.
Cronos is my type of horror film - intelligent and suspenseful (so many of them are just plain old silly). I highly recommend this film not only to anyone who likes this genre but to those of you who want to see an early work by the great Mr. del Toro.
Back in the 1500s an alchemist invents a device that brings him eternal life. It works for him until 1997. He called the device Cronos. An aging antiques dealer Jesus Gris (Federico Luppi) somehow winds up with the device and starts to play around with it. He doesn't have a clue as to the danger that he is putting himself in by using this device. Once the contraption digs its claws into you, you become a strange type of vampire requiring regular feedings of blood. A dying tycoon, Dieter de La Guardia (Claudio Brook) also wants the device so that he may prolong his life. He sends his ghoulish nephew Angel (Ron Perlman) on a mission to get Cronos at any cost. Also in the mix are Jesus's wife Mercedes (Margarita Isabel), who doesn't have a clue as to what is going on and his granddaughter Aurora (Tamara Shanath) who is totally devoted to her grandfather and wise beyond her years.
Cronos explores the theme of what people will do to live forever. The film certainly doesn't make a case for it. Rather is tries to find out why someone would want to do so. Mr. del Toro's work is marvelous and on par with many more experienced filmmakers. The cinematography by Guillermo Navarro is just splendid as he captures every creepy detail. The whole cast is good but Luppi is truly outstanding. It amazes me that he is not more well known in the US.
Cronos is my type of horror film - intelligent and suspenseful (so many of them are just plain old silly). I highly recommend this film not only to anyone who likes this genre but to those of you who want to see an early work by the great Mr. del Toro.
posted by Film Fanatic | 8:54 PM
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