KULL THE CONQUEROR (1997)
A Film Review
Copyright Dragan Antulov 2004
In the years before the dissolution of former Yugoslavia Croatian film
industry made good business by providing locations, extras, studios
and other technical services to foreign movie studios, including those
from Hollywood. In 1990s all that came to an end with the wars.
After those wars had ceased, few foreign studios bothered to return
their productions to Croatia, preferring to do their business in more
competitive foreign countries like Slovakia and Bulgaria. One of the
rare Hollywood films to be partly made on Croatian locations was
KULL THE CONQUEROR, 1997 fantasy epic directed by John
Nicollela.
The plot of this film was originally designed for the third sequel in
the fantasy saga started by CONAN THE BARBARIAN. The movie
was never made but producer Raffaela de Laurentiis nevertheless
found the way to apply the story in another project inspired by the
works of Robert E. Howard. In this film plot is set thousands of years
before the time of Conan, in a mythical country called Valusia. Its
ruler, King Borna (played by Sven-Ole Thorsen) went mad because of
endless dynastic intrigues and had all of his heirs slaughtered. In the
ensuing mayhem Kull (played by Kevin Sorbo), barbarian from
Atlantis serving in king's guard, kills Borna in duel and becomes king
himself. His rule is disliked by Valusian nobility, especially ambitious
Taligaro (played by Thomas Ian Griffith) who simply can't stand
barbarian on the throne. In the meantime Kull tries to seduce Zareta
(played by Karina Lombard), beautiful slave from late king's harem.
However, evil sorcerers intervene by planting exotic beauty Akivasha
(played by Tia Carrere) near king. Kull quickly succumbs to
Akivasha's seduction, which isn't that hard, because Akivasha is
actually 3000 years old demon who wants to bring hell on earth. The
only thing that can stop Akivasha is breath of god Valka. With the
help of Ascalante (played by Litefoot), priest and Zareta's brother,
Kull travels to far north in order to find that relic.
All those expecting KULL THE CONQUEROR to be worthy of its
legendary 1981 predecessor are going to be disappointed. Special
effects are below late 1990s standards, while heavy metal music
soundtrack by Joel Goldsmith destroys suspension of disbelief and is
very irritating, especially during the fight scenes. Another problem is
in Charles Edward Pogue's script, which obviously can't overcome
contradictions of PG-13 rating in modern Hollywood. Fantasy plot is,
therefore, too serious for the younger audience, but it looks too
infantile without more explicit bloodshed and sexual contents. All
those problems are, to a certain degree, compensated with humour.
The acting is more than solid, especially in the case of Harvey
Feirstein who appears in small but memorable episode. Skills
displayed by Sorbo, Carrere, Griffith, Lombard and Litefoot are more
than adequate for this sort of film. Same can be said for the direction
by television veteran John Nicollela, so KULL THE CONQUEROR is
for the most part entertaining experience.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
Review written on May 7th 2004
Dragan Antulov a.k.a. Drax
http://film.purger.com
- Filmske recenzije na hrvatskom/Movie Reviews in
Croatian
http://www.ofcs.org
- Online Films Critics Society
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X-RT-RatingText: 5/10
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