Somehow, Deathstalker has Returned...

[Steevy Maximus]

Roger Corman "classic" Deathstalker apparently got remade. Originally made in the early 80s to cash in on the success of Conan The Barbarian, the film was a hit (based on its minuscule budget) and would spawn THREE additional films, with the last being released in 1991. Proving no property is too obscure for a reboot or wring for a few bucks, Shout Factory and Hanger 18 Meida have partnered to reboot the original, starring Daniel Bernhardt (The Matrix sequels, innumerous DTV martial arts and action films). Due for release in October...but most of us will probably end up finding on streaming providers before actually seeing it in theaters.

Won't post a trailer, likely NSFW due to gore, but the cheese and camp are being FULLY embraced. And I'm here for it. Plus, some solid looking practical effects (a lost art)

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Roger Corman didn't have money but he had style. And a strange knack for discovering highly talented people.

 

[Fero McPigletron]

Isn't the Red Sonja movie out too?

 

[Steevy Maximus]

Apparently it's available on Digital now!

It's a wonderful homage to the classic sword and sorcery schlock we all remember from the 80s. It doesn't shy away from its own innate silliness, embraces its violent nature, and is just good fun. And good lord, all the GLORIOUS practical effects! Even things I thought were CGI were seemingly hand crafted with computers simply "compositing" the material better than was achievable back in the day. And yes, Deathstalker rips a Pigman's head off, as is proper (in fact, the film features a LOT of what are probably callbacks if I was at all familiar with the prior films in the series).

Now, does it look "cheap"? Well, yeah, but so was the original. Is it obvious that the dwarf actress playing DooDad is wearing a mask with no real lip function, absolutely (and probably so they don't have to worry about lip synching to the Patten Oswalt voice work). But I'll be dipped if they didn't make their minuscule budget to good use wherever they could. Little animatronic swamp creatures to liven up the swamp scenes (and reused in the "dark lands") for ambience. A delightful array of monsters and designs, from blood knights to swamp people to a mummy. And a bunch of matte shots that really help drive home the fantasy setting.

Is it "good"? That's debatable. But it's obvious everyone involved were having a blast and it just oozes off the screen. The love for this kind schlock fantasy film is so deep that it almost across as noticeable that they didn't include ANY female nudity at all, even though the original films certainly didn't shy away from it (and the amount of gore guaranteed an R rating anyway)

Also worth nothing the music crew did an amazing job all around, especially with the overhauled Deathstalker theme from Bear McCreary, Chuck Cirino, and Slash (yes, the Guns and Roses guy). I'm going to post the music video from Shout. Should give you a good idea if the film will tickle your fancy.

 

[Steevy Maximus]

Isn't the Red Sonja movie out too?

This is also available on digital. Probably watch it tomorrow. Reviews are FAR less positive than Deathstalker's have been

 

[Steevy Maximus]

Red Sonja was boringly competent for a low budget fantasy film. That's not to say there weren't high spots: Matilda Lutz did a serviceable job with the material given, and in the areas where real location sets were utilized, there were glimpses of some beautiful camera work and set design. Sadly, those few high points don't make up for a bog standard "slave into savior" story structure with all the usual trope characters saddled with ambition that FAR outclasses its budget. Especially in regards to the CGI usage. And I think it is an EXTREMELY tame R-Rated film.

Red Sonja might be a more "competent" film than Deathstalker, but it comes across as just so...plain and predictable. Deathstalker might not be a "good movie", but its use of practical effects and embracement of its schlock roots makes it FAR more enjoyable.