Conan: The Barbarian...Grading/Discussion...

[Warped9]

The other thread overlooked including a poll so lets try this again.

I read the review in my local daily paper this morning. It was written by a woman whose opinion I usually trust. Suffice to say it was something of a schizophrenic review in that while acknowledging elements of the film would appeal to certain audiences it's apparent she didn't much care for the film.

The common issue I'm getting from most of what I read and hear is that the film is perhaps too graphic and gratuitous with its violence and the 3D makes it seem even worse.

But I'll still have to see for myself.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Thanks for putting up the poll. I'm most interested in hearing the opinions of people familiar with the original REH stories and Marvel comics. That's what I want from the movie. How close does it come?

 

[A beaker full of death]

According to this guy, not so much: http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/18/conan.movie.review/index.html

 

[Temis the Vorta]

According to this guy, not so much: http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/18/conan.movie.review/index.html

He doesn't talk about the original stories at all, and I wonder if he realizes they exist?

But "Conan the Barbarian" has little in common with its namesake, the self-consciously mythic 1982 movie penned by John Milius and Oliver Stone

So what? If it's nothing like the Milius movie, I consider that a point in its favor. I want it to be like the original stories, which the Milius movie was not.

 

[A beaker full of death]

Well, the description of the surfer dude and valley girl performances bode ill.

 

[JoeZhang]

Damn, I thought it would managed better than 4th on it's opening weekend.

 

[trekkiebaggio]

I won't bother reposting my thoughts from the other thread, but I'll give it a B.

 

[Captain Craig]

Grade: B-

I saw this at a matinee yesterday, 1pm show, in a 500 seater and there were about 40 people in there. Early show I know, school is back in, people aren't taking vacations as heavily but still I found that a low turnout.

I thought the action sequences were really well done. The visuals of the ancient land that were either matte paintings or cgi looked great.

Jason Mamoa as Conan was great casting. I admit I was leary when they cast the SG:A guy as Conan. I've not seen Game of Thrones but all they talk of him on there raised my hopes along with nice publicity photos.

My one complaint with the movie is that it was perhaps 10-15 min too long. The journey aspect perhaps could've combined something in the cities/ports he journey's to for info/supplies.

I did like his child rearing years moments in the first 10 minutes of act I, thought that was good if for no other reason than Ron Pearlman.

A good movie and I do hope it performs well enough for a sequel despite placing #4 for Friday totals.

PS - was the imagery of the monks temple the same one as was used in the Nic Cage film Season of the Witch from earlier this year? They looked similar at first blush, anyone know?

 

[sojourner]

So, will Conan's poor showing put the kebosh on remakes of other Arnie films? Total Recall not withstanding...

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Don't write Conan off till the international BO comes in. Movies can flop domestically but still come out ahead in the grand total. That's how TRON: Legacy managed to make $400M worldwide and earn a sequel.

I doubt it will have any impact on remakes of Schwartezenegger films. If the international BO doesn't rescue it, it will preclude any sequels with Momoa, though.

 

[DarthPipes]

I just got back from it. It wasn't a bad film. Had some pretty good action and some of the scenes were actually in 3D. The cast was good. Momoa was fine in the lead as Conan although he doesn't top Drogo from Game of Thrones. Decent villain and Rose McGowen adds another freak to the many she has played. Always good to see Ron Perlman in anything. The kid who played Young Conan was pretty good as well.

My complaint is that the story is an unmemorable one. Nothing really stood out. You could have slapped it on another film with a different title. Just nothing special about it.

 

[sojourner]

Don't write Conan off till the international BO comes in. Movies can flop domestically but still come out ahead in the grand total. That's how TRON: Legacy managed to make $400M worldwide and earn a sequel.

I doubt it will have any impact on remakes of Schwartezenegger films. If the international BO doesn't rescue it, it will preclude any sequels with Momoa, though.

Technically, a sequel to Tron:Legacy has not been green-lit yet. Though a writer has been attached to it.