Jason Momoa (of recent Game of Thrones fame) ably fills the fur lined boots of cinema's original barbarian, Arnold Schwarzenegger, in this remake of Conan. But Momoa's performance and smoldering good looks are as good as the film gets. Audiences looking for the epic feel, gritty style and amoral tone of the 1982 fantasy classic will leave theatres mildly disappointed.Director Marcus Nispel re-imagines the origin story as tale of searing vengeance; Conan, born into blood and battle, grows into manhood crossing and recrossing the continent of Hyboria seeking the raiders who destroyed his village leaving him orphaned while wreaking havoc along the way. The film suffers from the lack of real villain against whom our favorite barbarian might test his mettle. Khalar Zym (Stephen Lang) never exudes the menace necessary to give birth to a force of nature like Conan. In fact, as evil-doers go, it is his daughter Marique, played flawlessly by Rose McGowan, who raises gooseflesh on audiences. Ron Perlman also makes an appearance in the film, taking on the role of Conan's decidedly non-barbaric father and teacher.
Perhaps the most glaring difference between the remake and the original film is the reincarnation of this barbarian as a man of honor. Much of the unpredictability of the barbarian is lost once director and writers conspire to give him a conscience. It no longer seems like the whim of fate, the finger destiny or the inspiration of the gods that propels Conan on his adventures, but rather his own sense of right and wrong.
The film strikes this reviewer as a project that was a lot more fun for cast and crew to make than it was for audiences to watch. Conan the Barbarian wouldn't be my first choice at the cinemas this weekend, but it's visuals, action sequences and special effects demand to be seen on the big screen.
