The remake of “Conan the Barbarian” has little resemblance to the 1982 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the title character. The original film had more of a sense of humor and was a bit more “cartoonish.”
This go-round seems to be a bit more serious and stiff as “Game of Thrones” hunk Jason Momoa takes the lead role as a less talkative and more focused Conan.
Although both films carry an R rating, I feel the original was “lighter” on violence while the new version is darker and brutal. You can just about hear each tendon tearing as Conan cuts his enemies with his sword. Special attention is also given to the amount of blood and carnage the audience will experience.
As far as the acting goes, Rachel Nichols (G.I. Joe and Star Trek) shows off her athletic side as a not-so-helpless damsel in distress. Nichols is a very watchable performer with a wide range of skills. I hope these “sword and fantasy” films won’t pigeonhole her.
Rose McGowan is delightfully evil as a wizardess who is trying to please her equally evil father (Stephen Lang). McGowan, who allows her character a little humor, actually may have the best role in the film.
I think the weakest link is Jason Momoa as Conan. Momoa just needs to get comfortable with the role and relax as he is signed to do 2 more films if the first one does well.
All in all, Conan will please the graphic novel crowd but not win the general audience vote. “Conan the Barbarian” gets an average C and is rated R.
