Fantasy Flix: Pirates

Friday, July 19, 2013

Deathstalker II (1987)

Director: Jim Wynorski
Writers: Jim Wynorski (story), Neil Ruttenberg (screenplay)

Deathstalker helps Reena the Seer out of a few jams, and she solicits his help for a bigger task. She reveals that she is actually Princess Evie, but the evil sorcerer had her abducted and cloned in order to seize control of the kingdom. Together they travel to the evil sorcerer's stronghold to restore the princess to her rightful position, encountering challenges along the way both from the sorcerer's goons and the fierce Amazon women.

The first sequel to Deathstalker takes a different approach from the original. This one is definitely played for more laughs. There's still the sword-play and nudity from the original, just with a lot more humor. And I hate to say it, but part of me enjoys this one more than the original, just in a different way. I have a lot of fun with this movie and I quite enjoy the added humor. That's not to say this will replace Deathstalker as one of my favorite movies of this ilk, I just like it in a different way.

There are some parts which I did not enjoy, like the amazon wrestling wring bit, but I can overlook it. Just watch this one with a different mind-set than the first.

Another simple fantasy story about saving the princess, except this time the princess is along for the ride because she has been replaced with a clone. Nothing real special here but glad they kept the clone elements from the first for continuity.

Plot: 7

I still have no big complaints about the acting over-all. Monique Gabrielle is pretty terrible, but in a weird cute kind of way, and Terlesky is pretty funny. Not fantastic, but ok.

Acting: 6

Nothing in the way of computerized special effects once again. Over-all I think this area is far below the original. They didn't even look like they tried with the zombies.

Special Effects: 3

The action is pretty decent with the sword-play. Terlesky does a pretty good job. But, once again the majority is filled with wrestling movies.

Action: 5

Of course a movie like this will excel in the eye-candy department. Gabrielle goes from cute and adorable to not as cute and slutty pretty well. Socas is damn hot and I wish I could see more of her.

Eye-Candy: 8

I know this kind of thing isn't for everyone, but like I said, I quite enjoy the humor here. Terlesky plays the smart-ass rogue pretty well. I'd recommend checking this one out.

Rewatchability: 8

Verdict: Worth a check-out

Cast

John Terlesky ... Deathstalker

Cute Monique Gabrielle ... Reena the Seer

Not as cute slutty Monique Gabrielle ... Princess Evie

Tori Naples ... Sultana

John Lazar ... Jarek the Sorcerer

Maria Socas ... Amazon Queen

Marcos Woinsky ... Pirate

Dee Booher ... Gorgo

Carina Davi ... Young Amazon

Jacques Arndt .. High Priest

Nico Sarudiansky ... Evie's Victim

The return of Pig Man!

Monday, March 19, 2012

The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982)

Director: Albert Pyun

Writers: Tom Karnowski (screenplay), John V. Stuckmeyer (screenplay)

A mercenary with a three-bladed sword rediscovers his royal heritage dangerous future when he is recruited to help a princess foil the designs of a brutal tyrant and a powerful sorcerer in conquering a land.

This is one of those 80's "sword and sorcery" flicks that seeks to capitalize on the success of Conan the.... Wait?... You mean this actually came out BEFORE Conan? Well, yes, according to IMDB, this was actually released one month before Conan the Barbarian.

I know this movie has a nice cult following, but... I wish this would have done better in the theater. I really enjoyed this movie. If this had been as popular as Conan, we would have gotten even more wonderful cheesy fantasy flix in the 80s.

The film is alot of fun. It is nicely paced with only a few slower parts. The plot is actually kind of complex with alot going on. Not only do you have your main hero looking for revenge for the death of his parents, but you have two villains battling it out, a kingdom in turmoil, and a king trying to regain his crown. To be honest, there were some parts that confused me, but it didn't take away from the fun of the movie.

Lee Horsley is excellent here. Lee was not a mega-star in the 80's, but he did well for himself. He's best known for the TV show Matt Houston (1982) I believe. I was only 10 when that show started, so it really wasn't my thing. The rest of the cast is pretty good. Kathleen Beller is freaking beautiful and I so wish we could have seen "more" of her in this movie. Richard Lynch is always fun as the villain.

The film looks nice and the sets and costumes are very well done. There's not alot of "special effects" in this movie, which I believe is a good thing. The make-up effects look pretty damn good too.

The action scenes are great with not alot of blood and gore. I wouldn't consider this family friendly, however as there is nudity (not alot), and the story could be considered too dark for the younger crowd.

Over all, I think this is a great film. It ends with a hint at a sequel which didn't come until 30 years later. I'll discuss Abelar: Tales of an Ancient Empire next.