Conan the Barbarian (2011)

Director: Marcus Nispel
Writers: Thomas Dean Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer

Here we have the 2011 remake of Conan the Barbarian.  Now, I know alot of people out there despise remakes.  Personally, I am not one of them.  I often enjoy seeing new takes on older movies.  Generally, the remakes do not live up to the original, but I think that's more of a nostalgic factor than anything else.  Everything beloved from our childhood is always going to be "better" than a new version.  Conan the Barbarian is a great example of this.

No matter what I say here, there are those that are going to hate this simply because it is a remake.  I'm not saying this is the greatest movie of all time or anything close to that.  But I did quite enjoy this movie.  Does it live up to the original?  Of course not.  But I think Jason Momoa does a fantastic job here.  He has great intensity and presence.  I like the fact that this Conan isn't overly muscle bound.

I think most of the cast here is very good.  I love Stephen Lang and I think he makes a great villian.  I even enjoyed Rose McGowan, who I'm generally not a fan of.  And, of course,  Ron Perlman makes any movie better.

I really hate to call this a remake.  It does recreate Conan's origin, but besides that, this flick is completely different.  While the story elements are similar, the actual storyline is different.  Which, to me, is much better as I can enjoy both this and the original without feeling like I'm watching the same movie.

There is some nudity in here, but not a whole lot.  Which surprisingly enough, I think is good as to not seem exploitative.  There's plenty of pretty faces and great visuals.  The special effects I think are well done.  I especially enjoyed the "sand people".

Overall, I think this is a good movie.  No It's not going to replace your original Conan.  Nor do I think i'ts trying to.  I think it stands on its own as an enjoyable popcorn flick to throw in the player every now and again.

Verdict:  Recommended

The Cast

Jason Momoa ... Conan

Stephen Lang ... Khalar Zym

Rachel Nichols ... Tamara

Ron Perlman ... Corin

Rose McGowan ... Marique

Nonso Anozie ... Artus

Steven O'Donnell ... Lucius

Saïd Taghmaoui ... Ela-Shan

Raad Rawi ... Fassir

Nathan Jones ... Akhun

Bob Sapp ... Ukafa

Milton Welsh ... Remo

Leo Howard ... Young Conan

Conan The Destroyer (1984)

Following CONAN THE BARBARIAN, Arnold Schwarzenegger returns as Robert E. Howard's warrior hero in action director Richard Fleischer's CONAN THE DESTROYER. First seen praying at a shrine, Conan and his sidekick, Malak (Tracey Walter), are inveigled by Queen Taramis (Sarah Douglas) into joining Princess Jehnna (Olivia d'Abo) and her bodyguard, Bombaata (Wilt Chamberlain), on a quest to wrest a magic key from the wizard Toth-Amon (Pat Roach). On the journey, Conan saves his magician friend, Akiro (Mako), from cannibals and helps female bandit Zula (Grace Jones) as she fights off some angry villagers. The motley crew find Toth-Amon's castle in the middle of a lake. But, while they rest for the night before confronting the wizard, he spirits away Princess Jehnna. Conan leads the rescue. Compared to the first Conan movie, CONAN THE DESTROYER has less violence but more humor. The film's stunt casting includes the 7-foot-tall basketball player Wilt Chamberlain and pneumatic singer Grace Jones. Other actors featured are the 17-year-old Olivia d'Abo (in her first screen appearance), playing the petulant teenage princess with sexy innocence; Tracey Walter as the cowardly jewel-swallowing thief, Malak the Quick; and, of course, Schwarzenegger, who put on 10 extra pounds at Fleischer's request, as the pectorally-perfect Conan.

Directed by: Richard Fleischer

The Cast

Arnold Schwarzenegger ... Conan

Olivia d'Abo ... Princess Jehnna

Mako ... Akiro 'The Wizard'

Wilt Chamberlain ... Bombaata

Tracey Walter ... Malak

Grace Jones ... Zula

Sarah Douglas ... Queen Taramis

Conan The Barbarian (1982)

Director: John Milius

A village is attacked by the evil ruler of the Snake Cult, Thulsa Doom and his evil warriors, when Thulsa Doom and his warriors kills his parents, a young boy named Conan is enslaved. Years later, Conan grows up and becomes a mighty warrior and is trained as a fighter. After years as a slave and as a gladiator, Conan is set free. Conan sets out on a quest as he vows to avenge his parents and solve the riddle of steel. Joined by a archer named Subotai, a beautiful thief who falls in love with Conan, Valeria and a Chinese wizard, Conan and his companions sets out to rescue Princess Yasmina, daughter of King Osric, from the Snake Cult, and get his revenge on Thulsa Doom and avenge his parents.

The Cast



Arnold Schwarzenegger ... Conan

 

Sandahl Bergman ... Valeria

Gerry Lopez ... Subotai

Mako ... The Wizard / Narrator

James Earl Jones ... Thulsa Doom