When Conan (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is surrounded and attacked by a group of unknown armed men—whether to kill him or for some other reason-, he does what he does best: uses his sword to protect himself and his sidekick Malak (Tracey Walter). After defending himself against the attackers, Conan discovers the men are led by Queen Taramis, who seeks his help. Conan agrees to return to Queen Taramis’s (Sarah Douglas) kingdom. Desperate for help, she offers to grant his deepest desire and bring his true love, Valeria, back from the dead if he helps her. Queen Taramis discloses that she needs him to accompany her niece, Princess Jehnna (Olivia d’Abo), on a quest from the legend of the Scrolls of Skelos. According to the legend, as Jehnna has a unique mark, she must embark on a dangerous journey to find a key in a giant castle. The key is rumoured to unlock a treasure- a jewelled horn. But a powerful wizard guards the key, and Queen Taramis wants Conan to accompany Jehnna on her quest, find the treasure and return it to her.
Though suspicious, Conan agrees to take on the mission. Accompanied by Princess Jehnna, his trusted companion Malak, and Queen Taramis’s servant Bombaata (played by Wilt Chamberlain), he sets out on a new adventure. As he encounters magical elements, Conan realises that physical strength and weaponry cannot overcome all challenges. Will Conan and his team be able to recover the treasure and return safely to claim their reward?
Conan the Destroyer is a movie that blends action, adventure, and fantasy. For those unfamiliar with the franchise, this movie is a sequel to Conan the Barbarian, which was released in 1982 and directed by John Milius. This instalment was directed by Richard Fleischer, known for his work in action and fantasy movies such as Soylent Green (1973), Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970), and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954).
Even though this film was made 40 years ago, I found plenty to admire and appreciate visually. The various buildings and castles look impressive and are highly creative, as do the stunning costumes and monsters that appear throughout. Thanks to composer Basil Poledouris, the film’s entire score is epic and matches the action on screen. Although Conan the Destroyer does many things well, one disappointing aspect is the film’s dialogue, especially from the protagonist, Conan. If you enjoy a corny and cheesy fantasy movie, you might not mind this issue, but I was surprised by how childish and silly some of the dialogue felt. Despite my concerns with the dialogue, I must admit that all actors, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, gave their best performances, and total commitment is evident.
Overall, as a sequel, Conan the Destroyer successfully delivers an entertaining fantasy adventure that doesn’t require much thinking. The dedication of the actors to the storyline and poorly written lines of dialogue is undeniable. Watching Conan and his crew fight through castles and against various monsters is enjoyable thanks to the remarkable visuals, the majestic sound effects and the epic score by Basil Poledouris. This film is pure fun and shouldn’t be taken seriously.
6.4/10
28th April 2024
Written by Peter Walkden
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