This years remake of Conan The Barbarian can be compared with last years remake of The A-Team; when you're watching them you can't help but want to watch the original instead. Sure, both movies are solid productions with decent casts, impressive visual effects, big action sequences and a flashy, modern updated look....but they're nothing compare with the films (ot TV shows) that preceded them.
Jason Mamoa is OK as the lead character; he's certainly got the build, the likability, the physicality and the presence to play a character of Conan's stature...but he's no Schwarznegger. On ever conceivable level his performance, solid though it is, can't match that of Arnie's. Momoa doesn't have that icon Frank Franzetta physic, the Schwarznegger charm and charisma, the distinctive voice or even the range (Arnie can play the fool comically as well as do the invincibility convincingly). The same for everybody else...Stephen Lang, Rose McGowen and Rachel Nichols just don't measure up to James Earl Jones, Sarah Douglas or Sandahl Bergmen in the original films. The production is too CGI heavy to be truly impressive, the set designs uninspired and gloomy and the score forgettable.
But at least it's brutal and that counts for something. Just like the A-Team movie Conan The Barbarian 2011 is worth checking out on a popcorn and beer night with the lads, but just have the original close at hand to watch afterwards.
No comments:
Post a Comment