Conan the Barbarian

  • 15
  • Marcus Nispel (2011)
  • US
  • 107 min
Film Review
Reviewed By
2 out of 5

This update for the sword-and-sorcery hero sees TV actor Jason Momoa (Stargate: Atlantis) encroaching on Arnold Schwarzenegger's territory, with more blood and less humour than the 1982 version. Adopting the barest elements from the world of writer Robert E Howard's novelettes, the plot sees Conan seeking Khalar Zym (Stephen Lang), the warlord who killed his noble father Corin (Ron Perlman) and set his village alight. Along the way, there are loyalties to earn, women to smooch and battles to fight, all in a televisual rather than cinematic style. That the thrills rely on sheets of blood and innovative gore (including a particularly horrible bout that results in a severed nose) means this adventure is low-quality entertainment with only surface polish. Lang and Rose McGowan (as Zym's daughter, Marique) are deliciously evil without being entirely callous, but it is Perlman who steals the show. He brings nuances to his role as Corin that keep you wishing for a flashback.

Plot Summary

An evil warlord kills a barbarian chieftain, whose son grows up to be a mighty warrior and seeks revenge for his father's death. He finds there is more at stake, as the tyrant is close to acquiring all the pieces of the magic mask, which will make him all-powerful. Fantasy adventure, with Jason Momoa, Stephen Lang, Ron Perlman and Rose McGowan.

Cast and crew

Cast

Conan
Jason Momoa
Tamara
Rachel Nichols
Corin, Conan's father
Ron Perlman
Khalar Zym
Stephen Lang
Marique
Rose McGowan
Ela-Shan
Saïd Taghmaoui
Young Conan
Leo Howard
Lucius
Steve O'Donnell
Ukafa
Bob Sapp
Remo
Milton Welsh

Crew

Director
Marcus Nispel

Other Information

Language: 
English
Colour
Theatrical distributor: 
Lionsgate
3D
Guidance: 
Contains violence and a sex scene.
Available on DVD and BluRay
Released 19 Aug 2011
Certificate 15
Categories
Drama

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