Fantasy Films Set in Urban Ghettos

Description: This film blends dark fantasy with urban decay, as Eric Draven, resurrected by a supernatural crow, seeks vengeance in a bleak, crime-infested city. Its gothic atmosphere and supernatural elements make it a standout in the genre.

Fact: The film was dedicated to Brandon Lee, who tragically died during filming due to a prop gun accident. The movie was completed using CGI and a stunt double.

Description: In this neo-noir fantasy, a man wakes up with no memory in a perpetually dark city controlled by mysterious beings known as the Strangers. The film's setting is a perfect blend of urban decay and otherworldly elements.

Fact: The film was initially a box office disappointment but has since gained a cult following for its unique visual style and narrative.

Description: This film, set in a Depression-era prison, introduces elements of fantasy through John Coffey, a giant with supernatural healing powers, highlighting the magical within the confines of a harsh, urban-like environment.

Fact: The film was adapted from Stephen King's novel, which was originally published in serial form in a magazine.

Description: Although it transcends the typical ghetto setting, the Matrix's virtual world, with its dystopian cityscape, provides a backdrop for a reality-bending fantasy adventure, where the line between the real and the virtual blurs.

Fact: The film's "bullet time" effect revolutionized action sequences in cinema. It also introduced many to philosophical concepts like the nature of reality and free will.

Description: Set in a dark, gritty Los Angeles, this film follows John Constantine, a demon hunter with the ability to see angels and demons. The urban setting juxtaposes the supernatural with the everyday, creating a unique fantasy experience.

Fact: Keanu Reeves underwent extensive training to portray Constantine's chain-smoking habit, although he did not actually smoke during filming.

Description: While not strictly a fantasy film, Gotham City's portrayal as a crime-ridden metropolis with elements of the supernatural makes it a fitting addition. Batman's fight against the chaotic Joker brings a touch of the fantastical to the gritty urban landscape.

Fact: Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker won him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The film was also the first superhero film to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Description: While primarily set in the jungle, the film's opening and closing scenes in London provide a stark contrast, showcasing the urban jungle against the backdrop of Tarzan's fantastical abilities.

Fact: Alexander Skarsgård, who played Tarzan, underwent an intense physical transformation, gaining over 20 pounds of muscle for the role.

Description: Set in modern-day New York City, this film follows a young man learning magic from a centuries-old sorcerer, blending urban life with magical elements in a unique way.

Fact: The film includes a sequence inspired by the famous "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" segment from Disney's Fantasia, bringing the classic tale into a contemporary setting.

Description: This film explores the concept of fate and free will in a modern-day New York City, where a mysterious group with supernatural powers controls human lives. The urban setting adds a layer of realism to the fantastical narrative.

Fact: The film is loosely based on a short story by Philip K. Dick, known for his works that often explore themes of reality and perception.

Description: While not set in a traditional ghetto, the film's exploration of a magical world accessed through a dilapidated London theatre provides a similar contrast between the mundane and the fantastical.

Fact: After Heath Ledger's death, his role was completed by Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell, each playing different versions of his character in the Imaginarium.