Conan the Barbarian
2011 · Directed by Marcus Nispel
Original language: English
- adventure
- fantasy
- action
The story
A quest that begins as a personal vendetta for the fierce Cimmerian warrior soon turns into an epic battle against hulking rivals, horrific monsters, and impossible odds, as Conan realizes he is the only hope of saving the great nations of Hyboria from an encroaching reign of supernatural evil.
What it’s like
Gritty, saturated sword-and-sorcery in a bruised palette of rust browns, sickly greens and sun-bleached desert gold, shot with handheld jostling and rapid cutting that makes the battles feel crowded and chaotic rather than choreographed. Slow-motion close-ups of blades, blood and sweat pile up over a thunderous percussive score with brassy horns and chanting, and the monsters and sorcery arrive in slick digital flashes. The vibe is brutal, pulpy and swaggering, a Friday-night action rush rather than a quiet evening. Violence is frequent and graphic: stabbings, decapitations and dismemberment are shown in lingering detail, and torture and slavery scenes are harsh, with some sexual menace and nudity, while the fantasy horror leans toward creature-feature dread. The pacing is relentless and the emotional register is revenge-driven and muscular, with a hardened loner gradually shouldering a larger purpose. Best for viewers who want a loud, bloody, adrenaline-heavy fantasy romp and are fine with a rough, mean edge.
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