Deathstalker 2 Retro-Review
As we approach the year 2019, it
should be noted that the world of Sword & Sorcery film-making has
seen leaps in improved effects, costuming, and story-telling. Even some
of the most lackluster sci-fi channel films would be seen as miracles in
cinema had they been seen back when I was a younger boy- at the risk of
dating myself, I am in my mid-forties and I grew up on Krull, Hawk the
Slayer, and the Deathstalker franchise. And yes, these films were a
franchise trilogy that were only loosely connected by the character of
Deathstalker himself. A character whose actor would change from one
movie to the next, who never spoke about the events of the previous
movies, and whose legend only consistently named him a Prince of
thieves.
The first film received cult
status as producer Roger Corman cashed in on the Conan craze, featuring
swords, sorcery, scantily clad babes, and featuring Playboy playmate
Barbi Benton as a princess in peril. But the film knows precisely what
it is- and it’s something that would never be made in this day and age.
The “Hero” (Rick Hill) is a misogynistic cad who rescues a damsel from
gang rape only to go about raping her himself, is armed with the Sword
of Justice, and goes about slaying creatures and men by the bucketful
until eventually making his way to the Princess. It’s all guts and
glory.
And it made enough of its money back to justify not only one, but two sequels!
In the third film, the hero is
played by John Allen Nelson and he once again goes on a quest to aid a
princess in peril. See a pattern here? The film was featured on an
episode of MST3K and is the last of the Deathstalker movies to be
produced to date.
But the second film? Ah, let’s speak about the second film in the trilogy for a bit.
The second film features a
decidedly wry John Terlesky (Chopping Mall) as the Prince of Thieves,
one part Han Solo and one part Errol Flynn, a wise-cracking swashbuckler
in an age of mythic fantasy. After rescuing a peasant woman (Monique
Gabrielle), she tells him she is a seer and that he is destined to help
save a princess from an evil sorcerer (John La Zar). Toni Naples also
casts a shadow as the nefarious Sultana, a witch or warrior queen or
mercenary- you know what? I don’t know what she was supposed to be and I
really don’t care. And, although we are just rehashing the plot from
the first film, Deathstalker doesn’t seem too impressed with the heroic
deeds laid out ahead of him. Luckily our hero is easily swayed by the
promise of fortune and glory, so off he goes with his slightly less than
competent Seer.
A huge change in this film is the
“self-aware” dialogue, with the protagonists realizing they’re in danger
moments before it happens, flowery insults (The village idiot and two
runners up?) and moments that bend the fourth wall to the breaking
point. Terlesky and Gabrielle have a lot of fun chemistry on camera,
their playful banter seems natural and playful throughout the film and
of course leads to the inevitable love scene. Also, Terlesky seems very
athletic in the role and leaps to action on more than one occasion. How
he never became a major actor is a mystery to me, but he’s since gone on
to success as a director on several television projects. Gabrielle made
a career in soft core adult feature films, including the title role of
Emanuelle 5 after famously appearing in Bachelor Party.
This movie is just a fun ride. Now
you may poo-poo the cheesy effects, the bad make-up design on the orcs
(Literally men with pig masks), or laugh at the badly painted set design
but you would be wholly missing the point. This isn’t Conan, this isn’t
a land of high adventure, this is a z-grade production and it knows
exactly what it is. Have fun with it! Enjoy it for what it is, and not
for what other movies are. I know that sounds like I’m trying to justify
it’s existence or making excuses, but the film really works far better
than either of the two other features in the Deathstalker franchise.
It’s a treat for its short runtime and it’s good revisit to see how
Sword and Sorcery movies were presented before Lord of the Rings made
them popular.
7 out of 10 (Though, in fairness it probably deserves less) and a high recommend.
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