Deathstalker

I've seen the original and all the other franchise movies, and I'd been waiting for this one. I honestly can't say how much I surprisingly loved it. I'm also a big fan of Evil Dead, and to be honest, this gave me the same vibe. The practical effects, the silliness, the music score, and that 80s feel; I really dug it. The original had a lot of sexism, exploitation, and nudity - not that I'm totally against all of that in movies - but this one had none of it. When the female lead showed up, I was honestly expecting some, but there was nothing. Also, I can't believe Daniel is 60 years old; he looks fantastic. If you get the chance, go see it!

No pun intended - bring back the 80s ... or something along those lines! You may have seen the original - not really needed to enjoy this one. But if you have, you probably know this is quite out there ... we are talking not just B-movie, but really cheap and in the case of the remake: quite bloody (violent).

Also the movie only seems to be using practical effects! With nods to Harryhausen (actually a fight is directly dedicated to him, even without a mention, but you have seen those warriors before - well if you've seen Harryhausen movies that is of course) and many more.

This is insane in the best way possible and so over the top it reaches all around to the other side. No notable nudity (if you discount the male main character that is) in case that interests you, but plenty of great creatures without clothes (or monsters as some might call them).

The director has done horror movies that are quite experimental and really vivid when it comes to violence and such ... so don't be too sensitive about that ... or any dialog that might feel really bad ... it is meant to be that way! As is our main character whom you may recognize - who knew he had such a great charismatic lead inside him? And outside too of course.

Like most Reboots, it fails to capture what made the original so Great.

For those who do not know, the OG Deathstalker was a Sword and Sorcery tribute to the "Man with no Name" Clint Eastwood Westerns, Deathstalker even wore his own poncho and had a classic showdown moment. The plot was basic and simple and had plenty of fighting.

This movie, in contrast, featured far superior costumes, and effects. Some of the best practical effects in a while, and it held such promise at the beginning. It started dark and gloomy with a foreboding plot, and introduced you to a world that felt very real and visceral. The over all tone of the movie was dark and it seemed we were very well on our way to a gritty and compelling fantasy story.

Then it is as if the director decided to change tone and after Patton Oswald is introduced, the movies tone changes from dead serious to ridiculous. They played homage to a number of classic Fantasy but it was like they were just thrown together all willy nilly. The amazing costumes and creature effects was replaced by poor stop motion animation (clearly meant as an homage to the Great Ray Harryhausen). The writing was equally silly to match, with such amazing dialogue as "Nya nya you missed me" and half-assed fight scenes. The jokes didn't land though because they just didn't seem to fit the tone of the movie set by the beginning.

Daniel Bernhardt is an amazing stunt man and martial artist but he is a horrible actor to lead a movie and he lacked any sort of presence or charisma of the original. Even if they were trying to be more like Deathstalker II they failed. At least in 2 they knew what they were and just went full camp from the word GO. Not this movie. Its just all over the place with its tone so when something sad or tragic happens it doesn't and at all with any gravitas.

All in all it felt like they had NO idea what they wanted to do with this movie. Was it a serious fantasy, an homage to 80s fantasies, a farce of the genre, or just an over the top comedy? They had no idea what they wanted to be so they tried to be ALL of those things in one movie and it didn't work. I have seen many really bad B movies that I have seen over and over because there was something fun about them that brings me back, but this movie has NOTHING that I want to see again.

Steven Kostanski's Deathstalker remake is a curious beast: it's watchable, even occasionally entertaining, but it never quite captures the gloriously cheesy spirit of the 80s originals.

The plot is standard sword-and-sorcery fare... hero collects magical MacGuffins, battles monsters, rescues a princess... but the execution is oddly restrained.

Daniel Bernhardt's Deathstalker is a stoic, muscle-bound hero, but he lacks the swagger or absurdity that made the original films so memorably ridiculous.

The practical effects and creature designs are the film's highlights, offering a tactile, gory charm that's rare in modern fantasy.

The action is competent, but it's missing the wild, anything-goes energy that defined the genre's golden age. Patton Oswalt's comedic moments are a bright spot, but they're too few and far between to elevate the film beyond its middling tone.

Ultimately, Deathstalker feels like a missed opportunity. It's too polished to be a true B-movie, but not ambitious enough to stand out as a genuine fantasy epic. The result is a film that's neither bad nor particularly good - just a forgettable, if occasionally fun, diversion.

5/10: A watchable but disappointingly tame remake that lacks the cheesy thrills of its predecessors.

Went to the cinema expecting a simple movie with great looking monsters and scenery. Wasn't disappointed. Surprisingly fun to watch even though I had no familiarity with the genre! The movie does not take itself seriously and I think that is just right. In one scene there are giants in the background hitting each other in the balls while the main characters discuss stuff. Just my kind of humor! The only thing I would have liked more would be more fighting scenes since the main actor is a kickass swordsman and martial artist.