Review of Solomon Kane (2009) by Per Gunnar J — 03 Dec 2011

It was the best of mini epic films, it was the worst of mini epic films...or maybe it just fell somewhere in the middle of the two and got comfy.

Now, allowing me to firstly admit that I'm a fan of James Purefoy should secondly mean that in my small review I'm affording myself some biasness here. *smirks* If it wasn't for him, a few action scenes and some foreboding atmosphere, I wouldn't have lasted past the first 10 mins. (So just to entice, I'll give you the first 10 mins.).

So, it's the early 1600's and one of Queen Elizabeth I's finest mercenaries is off leading the charge against the Ottoman occupants of a fortress town in Northern Africa.

First bit of good news, they win! After the battle is won, Kane and his men enter the fortress to soon find a room of enchanted mirrors; enchanted mirrors that house demons. The men are all killed leaving only their leader, who then stumbles into the fortresses throne room which is laden with treasure. Naturally he decides to help himself, when a demon (with a really cool flaming sword) emerges; the Devil's Reaper. The creature announces itself also telling Kane that his past actions have ultimately dammed his soul and he is now to be "ushered" off to his final non-resting place; in hell (oooh). A brief fight ensues and then Kane (yelling that he is not ready for hell yet) jumps through a nearby window into the sea (landing safely might I add).

Exciting already ain't it?

Long story short (to round out the rest of the plot); after that encounter Solomon decides (seemingly a little too late) to atone for his past atrocities by renouncing his violent ways and leading a "new" life of peace. But why would anybody let him do that? Fast Forward ---> He's embraced by a family of puritans and while travelling along with them, they a besieged by the corrupted followers of a sorcerer named Malachi. Their young son is slain, their daughter kidnapped and the father left for dead, an enraged Solomon re-embraces his violent life to fend off the attackers and save the puritans daughter.

For me the film had; a good flow with a steadily haunting undertone, some good ole' fashioned fight scenes with just the right amount of blood and gore sprinkled over them and a strong leading man.

What it didn't have; were enough surprises, eerie goodness is a plus, but I kept waiting for something more to jump out at me. My other let down was the bad guy. No offense to Jason Flemyng, he is a quite fine actor and I'm sure he shined during auditions. But to me no amount of make up or CGI can make "Thomas Button" threatening.