While the original 1982 film is often considered to be the one of the best (or the most divisive) 1980s films, its 2011 remake is unlikely to create such enthusiasm or controversy. Based on the pulp novels by Robert E. Howard (later adapted into popular comic books), this film features Jason Momoa as titular hero, Cymmerian mercenary in the mythical Hyborean Age who wants to find evil warlord Khalam Zym (played by Stephen Lang) who killed his parents. In the meantime, Zym and his sorcerer daughter Marique (played by Rose McGowan) try to find a "pure blood" girl to sacrifice in a ritual that would make Zym a deity. Directed by Marcus Nispel, former music video director specialised for remakes, Conan the Barbarian brings some interesting action scenes at the beginning, and the R-rated violence and occassional topless woman is somewhat refreshing change compared with neo-puritanical standards of summer blockbusters. Yet, just like so many remakes of 1980s classics, new Conan the Barbarian quickly shows it pointlessness, especially with the inevitable comparisons with the original. Muscular Jason Momoa looks the part, yet he lacks charisma of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The script is tragically inept compared with Oliver Stone's, which results in lack of any memorable scene or even piece of dialogue. Villains are cartoonish, while Rachel Nichols adds nothing to film apart from looking pretty, which is definitely not enough to prevent this film from sinking into oblivion.
RATING: 4/10
