Conan the Barbarian

Conan the Barbarian, 2011, had the potential to be awesome, but was only good. Although I enjoyed the action and appreciated the differences to the Schwarzenegger version, 1982, there was a number of areas in which I could see room for improvement. Jason Momoa, who plays our barbaric hero, definitely fit the bill for playing a ruggedly handsome, wild, blood hungry warrior. For all the ladies reading this, it would definitely be worth viewing just for the eye-candy! (Plus, we get a sneaky peak at his lovely buns!)


Not forgetting the male audience there also an array of scantily clad, beautiful women frequenting the screen. However, Rose McGowan (usually noted for her sex appeal) plays witch Marique who, I'm sorry to say boys, isn't quite the beauty you may be picturing in your minds. The rapidly receding hair line definitely has something to do with her loss of appeal in this film. To add to this there are a few battles, a bit of blood and even a few beheadings to add to the raw, revenge rampage that unfolds.


I would agree with those who believe children in this generation have become somewhat desensitized to much of life's darker corners. When I found out Conan was to be classified a 15 I thought perhaps there would be a bit more gore, violence and swearing than usual because of my pre-perceptions. I was wrong. As a viewer you are left to guess the actions which are occurring off screen, for example, when a young Conan is faced with five enemies and he alone defends his village and fights all five the audience is able to watch, you do not see him beheading the enemies and the fact he has performed this action only comes to light when he presents the severed heads to his father. When various main characters met their demise I also felt as if I had been robbed of a grand moment filled with screams and spine tingling shots.


While you may be reading this thinking that I am savage and there seems quite enough blood what you must remember is the name of the film, Conan the Barbarian. He is not shown to be quite as barbaric as the name suggests. Also after viewing Final Destination 5, which is also a 15 and came into cinemas around the same time, I believe the makers of this film could have pulled a lot more toe curling moments out of the bag.


The aspects which I felt worked particularly well include the skull cave design, the scenary, the casting, the introduction of Conan and the death of his father. Personally I prefer Momoa to Schwarzenegger, as do I prefer this re-envisioning of Conan. Momoa creates a more serious role and has brought Conan into the 21st century. I hope to see him in many more film, preferably topless!


**** 4 stars