NEWS
EVENTS
Conan The Barbarian
Monday 15th August 2011 | Osh
Arnie stayed at home but the most legendary barbarian of all time is back this summer; the new 3-D interpretation of the Conan mythology gets ready to smash the box office.
When rumours of a Conan update began back in 2007, the project seemed exceptionally random. While hardly an obscure character, Robert E. Howard’s creation has yet to ingrain itself into modern pop culture in the same way as several of this summer’s other movie heroes have, with the 1982 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger being it's most potent reference point for viewers. Adding to the confusion was the announcement and eventual cancellation of the Red Sonja reboot, with it's star Rose McGowan taking a role in Marcus Nispel's film instead. And with all the ‘80s nostalgia floating around at the moment it would be fair to expect an affectionate, slightly camp throwback to a cult classic but Nispel's approach is noticeably different: dark, intense and decidedly bloody.
Set in the mythical continent of Hyboria, a brilliantly realised world of demons, witches and the odd Kraken, the film follows the eponymous warrior, played by Game Of Thrones star Jason Momoa, as he sets out to avenge the death of his father (Ron Perlman) and the destruction of his village, both at the hands of Khylar Zym (Stephen Lang), a bloodthirsty warlord. However Conan soon discovers that Khylar has his own treacherous plans for Hyboria and that it's up to him to stop them. Cue epic battles, sheets of blood and surprisingly intense acting. Momoa is perfect as everyone's favourite barbarian, more svelte and agile than a certain Mr. Schwarzenegger and delivering his lines with testosterone-fueled relish. Lang once again laps up being the bad guy, while McGowan is excellent and strangely beautiful as his daughter Marique, a powerful witch with some pretty amazing powers. You'll never look at sand the same way again...
2007's Pathfinder was critically ravaged but it did showcase Nispels' knack for creating brooding battle sequences; in Conan The Barbarian he has found a decent script, formidable actors and a fantastic story to fit them around. From the devastating fight for Conan's village to the brilliant final showdown, the film truly comes alive as the body count rises. If you like your blockbusters dark and dangerous then you could do much worse.
When rumours of a Conan update began back in 2007, the project seemed exceptionally random. While hardly an obscure character, Robert E. Howard’s creation has yet to ingrain itself into modern pop culture in the same way as several of this summer’s other movie heroes have, with the 1982 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger being it's most potent reference point for viewers. Adding to the confusion was the announcement and eventual cancellation of the Red Sonja reboot, with it's star Rose McGowan taking a role in Marcus Nispel's film instead. And with all the ‘80s nostalgia floating around at the moment it would be fair to expect an affectionate, slightly camp throwback to a cult classic but Nispel's approach is noticeably different: dark, intense and decidedly bloody.
Set in the mythical continent of Hyboria, a brilliantly realised world of demons, witches and the odd Kraken, the film follows the eponymous warrior, played by Game Of Thrones star Jason Momoa, as he sets out to avenge the death of his father (Ron Perlman) and the destruction of his village, both at the hands of Khylar Zym (Stephen Lang), a bloodthirsty warlord. However Conan soon discovers that Khylar has his own treacherous plans for Hyboria and that it's up to him to stop them. Cue epic battles, sheets of blood and surprisingly intense acting. Momoa is perfect as everyone's favourite barbarian, more svelte and agile than a certain Mr. Schwarzenegger and delivering his lines with testosterone-fueled relish. Lang once again laps up being the bad guy, while McGowan is excellent and strangely beautiful as his daughter Marique, a powerful witch with some pretty amazing powers. You'll never look at sand the same way again...
2007's Pathfinder was critically ravaged but it did showcase Nispels' knack for creating brooding battle sequences; in Conan The Barbarian he has found a decent script, formidable actors and a fantastic story to fit them around. From the devastating fight for Conan's village to the brilliant final showdown, the film truly comes alive as the body count rises. If you like your blockbusters dark and dangerous then you could do much worse.
