Cronos

Cronos is director Guillermo del Toro's first feature length film, and remembered fondly as a horror classic that's a bit rough around the edges, but still contains a lot of atmosphere, creepy imagery and del Toro's signature touches. Personally I've always liked del Toro's non-horror movies better, but I cannot deny that he has a unique flair for them.

Likewise here. We have disturbing fetish pictures about bugs, we have golden clockwork machines, we have a slow descent into madness, we have masterful use of dark and shadow to create a closed, claustrophobic atmosphere and we have that distinct Latin American lean.

So what's the story? An old antique dealer, Jesús Gris (Federico Luppi), has found an ancient alchemical device that promises to give life eternal to anyone that uses its power and provides the proper sacrifices. Unfortunately other parties are also looking for the device and thus Gris has to deal with the side effects of his newly found immortality as well as trying to keep himself and his relatives safe.

Classic imagery, but del Toro's take on these old myths and ideas is refreshing and done well. You can see that the limitations of the budget are keeping him from telling the story he wants to tell, but as a whole it's not a bad tale. The various actors are also talented and really help to sell the mood to you. Luppi and Ron Perlman are the two shining stars and they'd later on go to star in many other films directed by del Toro.

Cronos is not the best horror movie I've seen, but if you've liked del Toro's later movies, it can be a rewarding experience to check out the very first one.

This is apparently Guillermo del Toro's first full-length film and while it's a bit rough, it also is highly creative and different. However, because it is so visceral, bloody and violent, it is NOT a film for everyone.

"Cronos" begins with an odd prologue. It seems that centuries ago an alchemist came up with some strange device--and it was able to bestow eternal life.

The film now switches to the present. An old man and his granddaughter have found a weird metal device--the same one created by this alchemist. However, they have no idea what its purpose is and how to make it work. By accident, the old man is able to activate it-and it pierces him--causing a lot of pain and blood. Oddly, however, he soon begins to feel better and look younger--and feels a strong need to try the device again.

In the meantime, a rich and nasty old sick guy has somehow found out about the device the old man's discovery--and he's sent his sociopathic nephew (Ron Perlman) to get that device.

There is LOTS more to the story than this---and it gets really weird, violent and bloody. However, I saw it described as a 'vampire' movie and this really is a MAJOR over-simplification. There's a lot more to it than this--and you just have to see it to understand. I won't say more--you'll have to see it...really.

The film is wildly creative and cool, but as I said, it's not for everyone. It's not exactly a horror film in the traditional sense and it is excellent.

By the way, what's with Ron Perlman? He's carved out an interesting niche appearing in the oddest assortment of international films. Now I am NOT complaining--just marveling at his film projects as they are so incredibly varied. Here, he's in a Mexican film but he's also done French films ("City of Lost Children"), films about the Russo-German conflict in WWII ("Enemy at the Gates")...and the Hellboy films! Talk about a man of multi-talents!

I can't think of many 90's films that will be remembered as classics of the horror genre, this film is an exception.

When you think of Mexican horror, you no doubt think of the El Santo Vs. the Aztec Mummy type films made in the 60s, don't get me wrong, I like them too. In interviews, director Guillermo Del Toro has said that his influences come more from American and British horror (such as the classic Universal and Hammer horror films) than from Mexico's horror tradition. Still, the film does have a distinctly Mexican sensibility, especially with it's abundance of Catholic imagery.

First time director Del Toro, cinematographer Guillermo Navarro (who would go on to do great work for Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, among oth ers), and production designer Tolita Figuero create a very unique, interesting look for the film.

All of the actors are great, especially veteran Argentinian actor Federico Luppi, who plays the main character Jesus Gris, and Luis Bunuel's favorite Mexican actor Claudio Brook, who plays Dieter De La Guardia. What really makes the film for me is it's quirky sense of humor and odd characterizations, I found scenes toward the middle of the film to be hilarious. The effective, subtle, score by Javier Alvarez also adds to the mood of the film.

The film also manages to be a very different kind of vampire story than usual, It makes me think a little bit of the "Wurdulak" segment of the great Mario Bava's film Black Sabbath. Vampire films of late have become very tiresome, it's nice to see someone take a different approach.

I think Guillermo Del Toro is a talent to watch for.

In 1536, in Veracruz, Mexico, during the Inquisition, an alchemist builds a mysterious and sophisticated device named Cronos to provide eternal life to the owner. In the present days, the antiques dealer Jesus Gris (Federico Luppi) finds Cronos hidden inside an ancient statue while cleaning it with his granddaughter Aurora (Tamara Shanath). He accidentally triggers the device and soon his wife Mercedes (Margarita Isabel) and he note that he has a younger appearance.

Out of the blue, the stranger Angel de la Guardia (Ron Perlman) visits Gris's shop and buys the old statue. On the next day, Gris finds his shop trashed and Angel's card on the floor. He pays a visit to Angel that introduces him to the eccentric millionaire De la Guardia (Claudio Brook) that explains the healing power and the eternal life given by Cronos. Angel is sent by De la Guardia to hunt down Gris to get Cronos no matter the costs.

"Cronos" is a horror movie by Guillermo del Toro with a gruesome, violent, weird and bizarre story. The lead character becomes a vampire after accidentally triggering an ancient device. The obsession of a dying man for the Cronos leaves a path of violence trying to hunt down the owner of the device. The great expectations for a movie by Guillermo del Toro and released by Criterion is a little disappointing, despite the originality, performances and cinematography. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Cronos"

Guillermo Del Toro's stylish and original take on the vampire legend is one of the most strangely overlooked and underrated films of the 1990's. It's films like this that make me want to watch films - films that are fresh, unpredictable and so rich in symbolism that it has leaves lots of room for discussion. Del Toro was little more than an amateur director at the time this made, but in spite of that he's more than given the professionals a run for their money. Every scene is adeptly filmed, and the way that Del Toro makes contrasts between locations and the two central families is a pleasure to observe. The way that the film switches language from English to Spanish and back again is indicative of the fact that this is a rich tapestry of contradictions and one that makes intelligent comments on many subjects, from obvious ones such as addiction, to more concealed ones, such as a commentary on family; stemming from the way that the roles of child and parent become reversed when our hero becomes afflicted with the vampire-like curse.

For the story, Del Toro has taken the classic vampire theme and mixed it with essences of mechanics and the human lust of being able to live forever. The story follows Jesús Gris, an antique dealer that lives with his granddaughter Aurora and wife Mercedes. One day, our hero happens upon a mechanical scarab that latches itself onto his palm, causing him to bleed. Jesús slowly gets addicted to the mystical scarab, but there's someone else that wants it and will stop at nothing to get it. The mythology of the scarab is told in a great opening sequence that sets the viewer up for an intriguing and original horror story. The film retains the intrigue that it sets up in it's intro for the duration, and Del Toro ensures that his audience is always left guessing and wanting to see what comes next. The film works due to interesting characters that the audience is able to feel for, and is constantly interesting by the way that Del Toro handles the contrasts that the story presents.

On the whole, this is a fabulous horror story that takes an existing legend and makes it it's own. This is exactly the sort of film that cinema needs more of; and it's not one that film fans will want to miss. Highly recommended viewing.