The character Raven feels like a marriage between Batman and Don Johnson. Like the former, he is a vigilante crimefighter seeking justice for murdered love ones. Also, he is cultured and disciplined in martial arts and surrounding philosophies. As the latter, he happens to be a mullet-rocking glamor boy with a penchant for women and fun. It may not sound like it, but this is a very happy marriage.
This is a lower-end action production that is uniquely inspired. Due to surprisingly tight direction, never is it a going-through-the-motions bottom shelf actioner like it would seem. It may not be strikingly original, but "Raven" is fast-paced and well-layered. It gets the job done nicely without being over the top or pretentious.
"Raven" delivers the goods in style, outweighing the guilty in the term guilty pleasure. It knows what its audience wants (hot women, fast action, fun characters and exciting locations). It is more than deserving of a late night CBS spot, but still I don't think it got the respect and attention it deserved.
