Review of Solomon Kane (2009) by Mark P — 30 Oct 2010

The opening action scenes are some of the most exhilarating of all time in the big demon with huge magic sword department. If Solomon Kane had continued in this vein it might have been a real treat. Sadly the pace dies down and it becomes the story of a man who tries to save his own damned soul and renouncing violence.

When he realises that violence is a necessary part of this path things become fun again very quickly and there are some genuinely great fantasy fight scenes with an explosive ending. It's nice to see James Purefoy, who was for me the best thing in HBO's 'Rome' as Mark Antony, in a lead role like this and he does a great job brooding around in his pilgrim hat with his Somerset accent making him an oddly unique action hero.

It would be a mistake to assume that this is a B-movie action romp as Solomon Kane does a lot of things remarkably well. The action is intense, the settings are appropriately gloomy and rain-soaked and the effects are truly astonishing given the lack of a Hollywood budget.

With some careful pruning this could have been a classic but it stands as a hidden gem that's more than worthy of your time.