conan the barbarian (480 hits)
Category: Movies & TVRating: 0.75 on 5 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by screaney (View user info) at 2004-08-05 17:24:33 EDT
filmed in 1981 and starring none other than the immemorial arnold schwarzenegger, conan the barbarian is a cinematic masterpiece. unlike most of arnold's later films, conan is not some trumped-up hollywood production replete with cheesy one-liners and inveterate arnold awkwardness. no. there is an innocence to this film, casting an arnold long before the fame and movie-stardom had corrupted his soul. the director, milius, relies more on body language, music and facial countenance to convey the emotions and meaning rather than a thick austrian dialogue. this works well for a movie set many years ago, on the cusp of civilization; a time when humanity was just forming and many languages were emerging from gutteral modes of communication.
i was never an avid reader of the 'conan' comic books, and some purists claim you need be to enjoy his saga, but the creative storytelling of this film embodies all that is conan. neither does one need to be familiar with the original works by Robert E. Howard to appreciate this movie. this movie captures the essence of life's unfairness, the learning of depravity and of wicked people, and then the redemptive scourging of justice. its also about the forging of a man through hardship, pain ,suffering and then, ultimately, victory. a confluence of many philosophies and experiences are streamed into conan's character, providing the bulwark of strength, nobility, magnanimity, integrity and the love needed to persevere and conquer his demons. conan is an amalgamation of everything righteous in the world, but also everything that is wrong. he is an intellect, but also a criminal. he is a desperate child, but in every way a savage killer. conan is the tale of innocence lost. a tale of a wayward soul, floating haplessly through an amoral world, but triumphantly to victory.
the tale of conan the barbarian offers solace to anyone who has suffered. in many ways, it is an epic that provides comfort to the grieved. it brings hope to the abject and weak by evincing courage and strength when no one else will. conan is a man who loses everything, but through an indominatble soul and insurmountable spirit, summons his unwavering determination to conquer his fears and ultimately bring justice to his past.
i highly recommend this film to anyone who has ever felt loss, indignation or has been mistreated in some way.
User Reviews
Submitted by The_taste_of_Monkeys (user info) at 2004-08-05 18:05:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Conan is awesome +1
this not having anything to do with SPT +1
Submitted by the_lone_stranger (user info) at 2004-08-05 17:55:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Conan Rules.
"Conan! What is best in life?"
"To crush your enemies, see dem driven before you, and to hear de lamentation of de women!"
Submitted by Cryopaul (user info) at 2004-08-05 17:38:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Very eloquent, well thought, and very thorough (sp?). Conan is an excellent example of Arnold as an Actor not just somebody who collects fat paychecks.
And don't forget Arnold in Red Sonja.
Submitted by Caldur (user info) at 2004-08-05 17:32:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Capitalize, jerktard.
Submitted by Cryopaul (user info) at 2004-08-05 17:30:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Haven't read it yet, but anything with Conan in it or Arnold gets an auto +2.