Conan the Destroyer (1984) [Region Free]

Being a fan of Robert E. Howard's short stories I must say that funny and light-hearted are definitely NOT the words I would use to describe Conan. Destroyer loses the poetic melancholy of Barbarian, but is more accessible (it was the first of the Conan movies that I saw as a kid). The PG rating doesn't harm the tone of the film much, it's still relatively bloody, but apparently Richard Fleischer shot it as a hard R before the producers cut it down.The story this time has Conan go on a mission for the seductive Queen Taramis (she can be my queen ANY day, and look for a quick glimpse of her bush in the first Shadizar Castle scene). He must retrieve a gemstone which unlocks another treasure called the Horn of Dagoth. A treasure that will bring to life an Evil God. Conan doesn't care as Taramis (who was NOT a villain in Howard's short stories, her twin sister Salome however, definitely was) has promised to bring back his dead girlfriend from the first film.And so with his ragtag group of companions: Malak (a comedy sidekick, but what happened to Subotai from the original?), Zula (Grace Jones, wearing no more than a couple of inches of leather floss), Akiro (Mako, the only returning cast member from the original), Bombaata (on a secret mission to kill Conan) and the virgin Princess Jehnna, Conan takes off on his mission.The first film was serious but this one plays more like Labyrinth than Barbarian. The effects and sets are very typical of early '80s fantasy movies. Conan talks a lot more too, and has fun in a drunk scene. I don't have a problem with this as he is quite cunning and intelligent in Robert E. Howard's stories, and they kinda sold him short in the first film by limiting his dialogue.Some scenes reek of cheapness. The Toth-Amon/Man-Ape scene is so ridiculously fake it makes you wonder how the filmmakers took it seriously. And the ending, featuring the resurrected Dagoth reduced to a sub-Godzilla demon is just plain stupid. Not silly. Even a few more minutes of thought put into this would have made it much better. But it is all very entertaining it really does is add to the kitschy hokum of it all. And hokum and weirdness is what Howard's stories were all about.Basil Poledouris' music is the one part of the film that is totally up to scratch. It's not as heavy as his score to the first film but he does introduce new, stronger themes and lighter takes on cues from the first. Brilliant stuff.It's a lot more formulaic and 'Hollywood' than the first. No new ground is broken and it's obviously a film made quickly to cash in on the success of Barbarian. Another way in which Conan has been sold short. You can tell with some gimmicks present in both films that they were trying to turn this into a long-running series. A shame that never happened. It really should have been like Bond, with a film coming out every 2 years.Conan the Destroyer is guiltless fun with goofier characters, sillier dialogue, clumsier action, and loinier cloths. And, honestly, it's none the worse for it.The Blu-ray features a lovely 2.35:1 1080p picture with good DTS HD-MA sound. Sadly, none of the extras from the DVD have been ported over apart from the trailer. The usual Universal online extras are included, as well as D-Box compatibility.

Not quite up to the standard of the first film but here the old gang "go again" so to speak. If you like Barbarian and Red Sonya you will like this - second best? True but still a great picture

Conan is tasked with escorting a virgin princess to procure a magical crystal that will unlock a sacred horn hidden away in a mountain crypt guarded by The Leader and his soldiers.If successful, Conan is promised by the alluring ruler of the kingdom of Shadizar, Queen Taramis, to return his beloved lost love Valeria to him, and a kingdom of his own to rule.Accompanied by companions made up of a comic relief thief, a feral warrior, the wizard Akiro ( from the first film ) and the powerful Captain of the Guard, the journey leads them across distant lands and into dangerous encounters with magic and monsters.I confess that I saw this film many times growing up, and actually was more familiar with it before seeing the first Conan film ( I was too young to see the Barbarian at the time of its release - and this, despite being sporadically violent, was considered by my folks as being far less adult in content when choosing a film to rent at the video shop in the mid 80's ) and whilst it is nowhere near as visceral as the first Conan film ( it does look like it was shot with vaseline on the lens in some sequences ) it is still very entertaining, moves quickly, is a whole lot of fun and grants the viewer some escapism.It's pure sword and sorcery, and it ticks the box adequately enough,My only complaint is the lack of special features. This is for the IMPORT Blu Ray release.It comes with a theatrical trailer and a DBOX setting for viewing.No making of, no interviews nor commentary.Even the Special Edition DVD released some years ago, came with a commentary from actress Sarah Douglas ( Queen Taramis ) which is not included.Very disappointing.

I love Conan the Barbarian! LOVE IT!On the audio commentary for Barbarian, Arnold Schwarzenegger says to John Milius we should do a sequel and Milius replies with "you did". Haha.I hadn't seen Destroyer for well over a decade and thought I'd give it another watch.I have to say I enjoyed it more now than I did back when I last saw it. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was.It's no where near as good as Barbarian but it has its moments.The blu ray image is very good, the sound is also very good.The extras are okay but I wasn't expecting there to be much for this film anyway.Also the late, great Basil Poledouris is back for the score.Recommended.