Conan the DestroyerArghgrgh!! Arnie is back in the sequel to one of the best movies of all times. Unfortunately, new Conan doesn't really live up to its predecessor. It's just not as manly as the first one. Sure, it has Conan, and he kicks ass, but this movie is more like generic action movie than a meaningful sequel. It lacks story, badass quotes and...it just doesn't have „it“. It doesn't have that energy of the original. But that doesn't mean its bad. It's still Conan and he is manly as hell.
So after Valeria got killed in the last movie, Conan mourns her and roams around stealing stuff and killing people. He is found by Queen Taramis who makes him a deal:if he can get her a certain jewel, she will bring Valeria back from the dead. He needs to protect princess Jehnna, because she is the only person who can get the jewel. She was chosen to do it when she was born with a mark of the gods. They never say what that mark really is, but I noticed she has small tattoo on her tits, so that must be it. So Conan gathers a party and along with the princess and her bodyguard goes on the journey. Later, it turns out they were betrayed, an eventually an ancient god/demon is resurrected and Conan needs to kill him.
That's pretty much it. There is no riddle of steel, or riddle of any sort, no especially memorable scenes or ballsy fights.
However, some awesome things are still there. Conan is of course manly as ever, grunting and killing dozens of people. This time he has wizard Akiro (Mako) to help him, along with a thief called Malak (Tracy Walter), who was supposed to be funny, but really, he isn't. There is also Zula (Grace Jones) and Bombaata, a giant black man and captain of the Queen's guard. It's a real party in Suikoden style, but Conan does 90% of the work – killing people, lifting heavy stuff, and solving mirror puzzles.
Another great thing is the soundtrack. Basil Poledouris again made an excellent job, worthy of any praise. Sceneries and costumes are really good, and battle scenes are better than in the first one.
All in all, a very good movie, but without the Conan „geist“ which the first one has.
Rating: 8/10
- review by Magnum
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