The first film adaptation of ‘Conan the Barbarian’ was an iconic role for Arnold Schwarzenegger (Terminator). The original film version of this tale was an admittedly campy, sword and sorcery adventure that despite poor special effects and iffy dialogue is still a secret favorite of many moviegoers.
Given that this week Jason Momoa’s new drama series ‘See’ is releasing the second season after a long wait, we thought it’s time to review one of his iconic roles. In true Hollywood tradition, ‘Conan the Barbarian’ returned in a revamped remake directed by Marcus Nispel (‘Friday the 13th,’ ‘Pathfinder’). In this version, Conan is played by Jason Momoa, who is definitely ripped and dangerously handsome enough to play Conan, but it’s questionable whether he is able to add to the character that Schwarzenegger portrayed so memorably.
Heavy On The Muscles And Action, Light On The Plot
While Conan’s action-packed scenes deliver the bloody excitement expected, the film lacks depth and plot. Fans drawn by the trailers showcasing intense battles will enjoy the fight sequences, but the weak dialogue, subpar acting, and thin storyline may leave many disappointed. Momoa’s charm adds some unexpected depth to his character, but the weak supporting cast offers little to help him shine. For those looking to elevate their social presence more successfully, services like SocialWick can help boost your Instagram followers and likes effortlessly.
Nispel’s direction of Conan the Barbarian comes off as a technically advanced re-telling of the original tale featuring Schwarzenegger as Conan, with a similar story. Conan’s village is under attack, this time by the forces of neighboring clans who’ve sworn their allegiance to Khalar Zym (Stephen Lang, ‘White Irish Drinkers’), who is a mortal hoping to resurrect his wife using an ancient relic. Conan’s father (Ron Perlman, ‘Hellboy,’ ‘Crave’) refuses to give up the relic that Zym is searching for, but Zym’s daughter Marique, played by Rose McGowan uncovers it and Zym leaves Conan’s father to die. In this new version, Conan isn’t enslaved as he is in the original. Instead he is free to go about thieving and freeing slaves, with a weak motivation to hunt down the man responsible for his father’s death, and the death of his people. He then meets a warrior monk named Tamara, played by Rachel Nichols, and conveniently ends up on Zym’s trail. Zym at this point is close to finding the final element he needs to resurrect his wife, and release all kinds of evil.
Other Actors, Storyline And Character Development
Ron Perlman does a solid job in portraying Conan’s father, and the opening of the film shows viewers an interesting depiction of Cimmerian warrior culture, but the point where Zym’s army destroys everything marks a downward turn, where there is minimal character development or storyline.
Rachel Nichols also turns in a good performance as Conan’s love interest, Tamara, but the film’s plot takes what might have been a killer character and turns her into a typical damsel in distress.
Special Effects
‘Conan the Barbarian’ is a fantasy adventure that excels in combat sequences, but its set design is average, it’s lacking in innovation, and offers no surprises. While CGI enhancements give a more believable quality to sand spirits and other creatures, they won’t likely be memorable or exciting for most viewers. While 3D enhancement improves some of the fight scenes, there are a few scenes where it looks glitchy and this may be distracting for some.
Summary
Moviegoers seeking the excitement of bloody action and old fashioned swordplay, or those that aren’t interested in a plot that adds anything to the original Conan will enjoy this version. Die-hard Conan fans hoping for a film that finally takes advantage of this story’s potential for exciting plot twists and complex relationships may be disappointed.
