Plot
Dr. Peyton Westlake is a brilliant scientist that's burned alive and left for dead by a crime boss working with a crooked business man. Disfigured he turns to his research and finds he has the ability to create temporary skin that lets him impersonate others. He uses this and his new superhuman strength and endurance to protect his lover and get revenge.
Review
Darkman is Sam Raimi's underrated masterpiece. Is it a perfect flick, no. Is it an awesome and crazy early 90's superhero flick? Hell yeah it is! It has the camera work, weirdness, and effects you'd expect from a Raimi flick. It also features Ted Raimi in a minor roll and a Bruce Campbell as a fake Shemp (credited as the Final Shimp). The score is classic Danny Elfman goodness and would be fitting for a Batman movie.
Liam Neeson plays the titular character. Before his accident Westlake is a hopeful, dedicated, and loving. It was weird seeing Neeson play this kind of character, but he makes it work. His descent into madness after his transformation is captivating. The carnival scene always sticks out to me. "Take the fucking elephant!" Darkman is a character in the vein of Universal movie monsters with some Shadow and Batman thrown in. The explanation for his abilities doesn't make much sense and his super tech is essentially a 3d printer, but it all works.
Larry Drake's Durant is one of my favorite superhero flick gangsters. His habit of collecting fingers is disturbing and his speech to a rival crimeboss earlier on is perfection. While he's absolutely evil and does strike/kill is goons, he also shows them kindness. There is a scene at a gala that he asks Ted Raimi's character Rick if he'd like a drink and when Rick says yes, he goes and gets him one. That's just not something I've seen a lot from crime bosses. Durant's crew has great character too. My favorites are "Smiley" who has a hyena-like laugh and Skip, who has a prosthetic leg that is also a machine gun.
As much as I'm done with Liam Neeson doing action movies, I'd like to see him come back as Darkman. I think it could be a lot of fun. There are two direct to video sequels: The Return of Durant and Die, Darkman, Die. I've watched both (and own the former on DVD). Arnold Vosloo (Imhotep from The Mummy franchise) takes over as Westlake. I might review them soon.
In Your Game
Back in 2018 I created Darkman stats for Light City, my OSR supers game I made with Jonathan from Monstrous Matters. You can check those out here. He needs 5e stats though.
Code Name: Darkman
Real Name: Peyton Westlake
Team Affiliations: -
Medium Humanoid, Chaotic Neutral
Armor Class: 13 (Dex)
Speed: 30 ft.
Challenge: 4 (1,100 XP)
Str 18 (+4) Dex 16 (+3) Con 20 (+5) Int 17 (+3) Wis 8 (-1) Cha 16 (+3)
Saving Throws: Str +7, Con +8
Skills: Athletics +7, Advanced Tech +6, Deception +6, Nature +6
Tools: Disguise Kit/Synthetic Skin Printer
Damage Resistance: Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing
Senses: passive Perception 9
Languages: English
Traits
Master of Mimicry: The boiling solvent Westlake was dunked in altered his vocal chords and allowed him to change his pitch to any tone he can here. He can mimic any voice he's heard. A creature that hears his voice can discern the imitations with a successful Wisdom (Insight) check opposed by a Charisma (Deception) check from Darkman.
Synthetic Skin Printer: Darkman can take pictures of anyone and craft print identical synthetic skin to imitate them. If exposed to light the skin can only last for 99 minutes before it gradually starts dissolving.
Actions
Multiattack: Darkman can make two slam attacks.
Slam: Melee Attack. +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8+4) bludgeoning damage.
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