Fantasy Flix: Nudity

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!

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Deathstalker (1983)

Director: James Sbardellati

Writer: Howard R. Cohen

The warrior Deathstalker is tasked by an old witch lady to obtain and unite the three powers of creation - a chalice, an amulet, and a sword - lest the evil magician Munkar get them and use them for nefarious purposes. After obtaining the sword, Deathstalker joins with other travellers going to the Big Tournament to determine the strongest warrior. The false king holds the true princess in captivity, and plots to have Deathstalker killed, and Deathstalker must fight to free the princess.

Deathstalker is one of the movies from the 80's (along with Hawk the Slayer, and Conan) that really got me into fantasy movies. Of course my time spent playing D&D table-top helped too. There is a lot of negativity towards this movie that I can tell. Of course it isn't "good", not many of these movies are, that's where a lot of the charm comes from. So the real question here is, upon recent re-watch, did it hold up for me?

Yes, it held up for me. I fucking love this movie. It could have a lot to do with nostalgia, but add on to that the sword-slashery, the gratuitous nudity, the one-liners, and the fact that it's fantasy. I still got a kick out of watching this again.

The story is simple. Our hero is tasked with saving a princess, kicking ass in an arena and getting laid. Typical fantasy fare, but we don't watch these for extensive plot do we?

Plot: 7

The acting is pretty good for a low budget flick like this. Hill is excellent as Deathstalker. Benton and Brooker are good. I really have no complaints here.

Acting: 7

Besides some animated lightning, there's really no computerized effects here, only practical make-up effects which I thought were done pretty well. Some of them are better than others... and besides, you have Pig-man.

I'm going to replace "cheese", with "action" since I really don't watch these FOR the cheese, but I do enjoy the action and think it should be discussed. The action here is, well... o.k. Some scenes are better than others and some actors are better than others. I thought the stuff with Deathastalker and Oghris were pretty good (except when they were homo-erotically wrestling each other in bed), but most of the action here is pretty 80's WWF stuff.

Action: 5

And of course we have the women. I have to admit, I'm pretty torn here personally. I think most of you guys will love all the gratuitous nudity here, but frankly, I'm not one for giant breasts. Benton and Clarkson honestly do nothing for me. I do like the brunette with Oghris who is not named and unfortunately I have no Idea who she is.

Eye-Candy: 5