Produced by Slash, of Guns N’ Roses fame, Deathstalker is an update of the Roger Corman classic. The original was one of the best sword and sorcery movies of the ‘80s. This one is even better.
Daniel Bernhardt is the title character, a dashing rogue who scavenges battlefields for loot. While out foraging, he stumbles upon a cursed amulet (which may have the power to bring about the end of the world) and becomes intertwined with its fate. With the help of a diminutive wizard (voiced by Patton Oswalt), Deathstalker tries to free himself of the trinket. Eventually, he says, what the heck, and decides to save the universe.
They say they don’t make ‘em like they used to. Director Steven (Leprechaun Returns) Kostanski proves them wrong. Deathstalker is an unabashed throwback to the glory days of the ‘80s, brimming with practical effects, rubbery monsters, and lots of gore. There are plenty of nods to the original movies, and even a reference to the immortal Sword and the Sorcerer that I’m sure fans will love. It may be a tad long at one-hundred-and-two minutes but far be it from me to complain about getting too much of a good thing.
Bernhardt is a lot of fun in the title role. Early in his career, he sometimes had an awkward screen presence, but that was easy to overlook because his physicality was undeniable. Now he’s grown in leaps and bounds in front of the camera, and the role of a lovable rake fits him like a glove. The vocal performance by Oswalt as the wizard Doodad garners plenty of laughs too.
Some of the rubbery effects are genuinely impressive and others are bad on purpose. It’s the deadpan acceptance of all the creatures big and small, cheap and (somewhat) expensive that make it work. The movie doesn’t wink at the camera the way… say… Deathstalker 2 did. This one has genuine affinity for its inhabitants, which is what makes it special. Deathstalker’s slavish adherence to ‘80s special effects is endearing enough (I feel obliged to give any movie made in 2025 that features a scene of stop-motion skeleton warriors sword fighting Four Stars on general principles), but the knowing humor and unexpected heart make it a modern classic.
No comments:
Post a Comment