Deathstalker

This is the first of four movies (so far) to feature the hero/barbarian/rogue character of Deathstalker.

Now when you think of heroes in the Sword & Sorcery genre, they often have, shall we say, somewhat loose morals.....fair enough, as the films are often set in the dark ages or even earlier and we could therefore theoretically suppose that chivalry, at least as we know it today was not exactly in place back then (for that matter does it exist now?!) However, having said this, the heroes do still tend to be basically amiable chaps who adhere to some form of justice and honour.

Take Dar from The Beastmaster for instance, he seems like a really decent chap in fact (as long as you don't get on the wrong side of him - in which case he'd probably slice you in twain!)

The case of the eponymous Deathstalker is rather different however, for here we have a 'hero' who's immoral actions (particularly against women) give the main villain of the film a good run for his money! Yes, it has to be said that in the annals of cinematic good guys, Deathstalker (at least as portrayed in this entry in the series) will hardly be winning any accolades for his chivalry!

Aside from the somewhat unlikeable hero, the film itself starts off in a decidedly disjointed manner.

In fact, the first half of the film is filled with a series of scenes that make very little sense whatsoever! For instance one particularly stupid, pointless scene set in a cave from which our hero must retrieve a magical sword, left my jaw agape at just how ridiculous it was!

Thankfully, the second half of the movie is much better and features some rather exciting fight scenes as our hero battles it out in a gladiatorial contest. There is also a fair amount of gore on display here to, a factor which always ups the enjoyment value in these type of films.

Another positive for the movie (at least from a red blooded males perspective) is the copious amount of nudity displayed by the female cast in this. Hardly a minute seems to go by without a beautiful woman baring her breasts (all in the most gratuitous manner of course!)

Overall then, whilst this film isn't likely to be remembered as a milestone in cinematic history, it does have a few of it's own (B-movie) merits and is certainly not a bad way to spend an hour and a half or so, on perhaps a lazy night in.

A warrior named Deathstalker is sent on a quest by a witch to find a chalice, an amulet, and a sword. Soon, he's making new allies while battling warriors, creatures, and a wizard, in a story that's as thin as parchment but somehow still compelling in its brazen absurdity.

Hot off the back of Conan the Barbarian (1982), director James Sbardellati (credited as John Watson) delivers a film in the vein of The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982), though without the latter's sense of scope or panache. Howard R. Cohen's adult-oriented plot is paper-thin-more a skeleton for chaos than a story-but it suits the kind of low-budget, testosterone-fueled nonsense this era of sword-and-sorcery demanded.

Modeled on He-Man, Rick Hill (with a dash of Peter Weller and Dolph Lundgren) does a serviceable job as Deathstalker, bulking up the brawny charm while looking permanently winded from wearing so little. The late Lana Clarkson, however, steals every scene she touches, exuding both danger and allure with effortless presence. Richard Brooker as Oghris is a welcome oddity; one of those performances you remember for no good reason other than sheer theatricality.

Gratuitous nudity, a dash of unnecessary rape, and all the hallmarks of Roger Corman production shortcuts are on full display-cheap sets, choppy editing-but the high-concept lunacy carries it for the most part. Óscar Cardozo Ocampo's score deserves a nod: it lifts the proceedings, energises the fight scenes, and even when intrusive, it somehow feels part of the charm, like a synth-powered alarm announcing chaos.

The giant pig-man gladiator fight scene is a highlight, ridiculous and unwieldy, nothing like the promotional art but all the better for it. The showdown borrows from Superman II (1980) with Flash Gordon's Ming-like sorcerer Munkar, played by Bernard Erhard, getting his moment to shine-somehow lending gravitas to an otherwise gleeful trashfest.

Overall, it takes itself seriously, it's violent, and wall-to-wall scantily-clad leads and extras parade through every frame. Yet there's an undeniable appeal: low-budget 1980s sword-and-sorcery shenanigans, a dash of audacious nonsense, and just enough spectacle to make it one of the better Conan cash-ins. Poster art is still better than the film, but in that gleeful, slightly trashy way, Deathstalker has its own charm.

If you take this as a fantasy, you'll probably be disappointed: it's as second-grade as they come, with a total blank for a hero and plenty of chaotically staged swordfights. But if you take it as a soft-porn film, you may be more pleased; there is a stimulating (if brief) sex scene midway through, and abundant nudity throughout, though only the beautiful Lana Clarkson escapes the film's depraved attitude toward women. Anyway, the film certainly isn't as bad as the two Ferrigno "Hercules" movies.....(*1/2)

This is a classic that is so bad it's good. It's a likely intentional parody of itself.

It's cheap, dumb fun, something to relax and shut off your mind. This makes it pretty hard to rate, but let me try anyway.

Will this movie make you think? Absolutely not! Not a chance.

Will it make you burst out into laughter? That depends on your taste. It might, but also it isn't a comedy. Instead it plays with cliches, cliche fantasy and I think at that it does a decent job.

The story, as is usual with such movies is extremely thin. You can essentially ignore it. If you feel like something doesn't make sense, you are absolutely right! Nothing makes sense, but it's also not really meant to.

If you want to go for a silly, 80s cult movie, maybe watch something with friends, be it real ones or a can of beer, or whatever you are into, this movie might make for a wonderful, joyful evening.

The makers of this movie gave absolutely ZERO F**ks, and i respect that. Kill the bad guys, Save the girls, pretty straightforward and fun. Good guy is a blank slate easy to identify with and the bad guy is a good and easy target to hate. lots of random careless nudity and plenty of 'classy' one liners. It's nothing to write home about certainly but those of you who like the 80's metal movies like Conan will love it. pretty basic as far as plot and story line but that's nothing you won't expect from the poster. I think it has great potential as a background movie for any good D&D campaign or reckless party. Epic Metal Movie, get drunk and enjoy