| Conan The Barbarian (1982) Cast:Arnold Schwarzenegger,James Earl Jones,Shandahl Bergman,Max von Sydow,Mako,Gerry Lopez Schwarzenegger stars as Conan The Barbarian, in a sword and sorcery backdrop which finds out barbarian hero seeking vengeance against a snake king who killed his family and enslaved him, while all the time trying to solve the riddle of steel and falling in love for Valleria a woman warrior who helps him out. Conan The Barbarian is probably the most high profile sword and sorcery movie ever made and although it's tempting to blame this one for the typically unwatchable genre it created, Conan The Barbarian remains the high point of the genre. Conan The Barbarian is a very enjoyable movie due to the sets and crisp directing which make it pleasing on a visceral level. The action sequences are well staged and the movie moves at an exciting pace. Indeed at 2 hours long, Conan The Barbarian never has a dull moment (Especially when compared to it's shorter lengthed but utterly dull sequel). However Conan The Barbarian suffers from basically what the genre suffers with, in that the material is utterly simplistic and never strays from formula. However this is one of the few times that the formula works and the viewer takes in the excellent mood and exciting action sequences. Indeed the beginning battle sequence makes this alone worth watching. Arnold Schwarzenegger let it be said is very stiff in the part, playing the role with no brains at all, of course this is well suited to the part. Far better is Bergman who comes off strong, sexy and likable.D. John Milus *** |