Directed by Richard Fleischer and based on a screenplay by Stanley Mann, Conan the Destroyer was brought to the big screen on June 29th, 1984. It was produced by Dino de Laurentiis and his daughter Raffaella. Arnold Schwarzenegger returns as the barbarian warrior, Conan. And Mako returns as Akiro the Wizard. They are the only two original actors to be featured. They were joined by an epic cast including Wilt Chamberlain, Grace Jones, Tracy Walter, Sarah Douglas, Pat Roach, and Olivia d’Abo.
Conan, tempted by the promise of resurrecting his lost love, embarks on a quest to retrieve a magical horn. Along with a princess, a thief, a warrior, and a wizard, he faces perilous dangers. Unbeknownst to them, a member of their group plans to betray them, leading to a battle against dark forces and a test of loyalty.
This sequel, with a smaller budget and PG rating, aims for family-friendliness. Gone are the days of iconic one-liners, replaced with campy jokes. However, it surpasses most genre offerings. Arnold Schwarzenegger is physically imposing and charismatic, potentially in one of Wilt Chamberlain’s best roles. His presence and epic showdown with Conan are captivating. Grace Jones is equally impressive as the fierce, amazonian Zula, without overpowering the story.
We even see Andre the Giant in a bulky rubber suit. His limited mobility and the suit’s design hinder the giant monster sequence, preventing a full transformation. However, the suit is impressive for its time, and the Lovecraftian elements in Dagoth’s reveal are notable. The transformation shots are good despite the corny suit. A larger budget could have elevated this sequence, but Schwarzenegger’s fight sequences compensate for its shortcomings.
A lot of people will jump onto the criticism train with this movie and there is a lot to criticize. The slashed budget, poor dialogue, and generic plot are just a few examples. Don’t get me wrong. I really appreciate the deeper world that’s being built here. This film, although not following in the same vein as the first, maintains a quality closer to the popular Marvel comic series that had been ongoing at the time.
Conan the Destroyer isn’t a bad movie, it’s just not as epic as the original. Arnold Schwarzenegger still delivers his signature badassery and one-liners, which is comforting for new viewers. While it may not be the best Schwarzenegger movie, it’s still enjoyable. It’s a great Conan film and a suitable sword and sorcery picture, though it won’t win any awards. RottenPop gives it three stars.
Conan the Destroyer
Release Date: June 29th, 1984
RottenPop Rating: ★★★
Director: Richard Fleischer | Writers: Stanley Mann
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mako, Wilt Chamberlain, Grace Jones, Tracy Walter, Sarah Douglas, Pat Roach, and Olivia d’Abo
Studios: Dino De Laurentiis Company
Country: USA
Genres: Action, Adventure
