Kull (Kevin Sorbo), a barbarian warrior from Atlantis, kills King Borna (Sven-Ole Thorsen) of Acheron and, by Bornaâs last words, becomes king. The two surviving heirs team with a sorcerer to usurp the kingdom by resurrecting the powerful demon-witch, Akivasha (Tia Carrere). Akivasha takes the kingdom for herself while Kull, a priest, and a harem girl (Karina Lombard) search for a magical way to kill the witch.
Kull was âthe other barbarianâ from pulp writer Robert E. Howard, and as Kull is the lesser-but-too-similar creation when compared to Conan, Kull the Conqueror is the lesser-but-too-similar film when compared to Conan the Barbarian. Thereâs some fun to be had, but everything feels like ill-fitting hand-me-downs.
Kevin Sorobo is too modern, too Midwestern and amiable, to pull off a barbarian warrior. He managed the similar role of Hercules on the television serious Hercules the Legendary Journeys because that entire show was modernâpart of the humor was that there was nothing even remotely ancient about that ancient world. But here, where it should be a magical other-land, Kullâs just a Midwestern, â90s kind of guy.
It doesnât help that the script also makes this a kinder, gentler barbarian. He frees the slaves, promotes religious equality, and wonât take his own harem girls to bed unless they are eager. And thatâs on his first day. Well, I canât argue with his actions, but it does take the âbarbarousâ out of barbarian.
Kull has also drifted into the lands of out-of-place multiculturalism. Acheron is a territory where accents collide, Caucasians have Asian nieces, and girls with heavy European accents have Cherokee brothers. Just where is this place?
Straying into camp without ever managing funny, Kull doesnât have the edge or impact to be of much interest. The naked slave girls are always dressed or somehow blocked, and bloody battles shed barely a drop. This isnât sword and sorcery for kids; this is sword and sorcery that parents want to be for their kids. Kids would want the blood and topless babes. But, for G-rated battles, they arenât bad. Sorobo knows his way around a stage-prop axe and looks the part when heâs slaying guards and pirates.
Joel Goldsmith, son of Jerry Goldsmith, creates a half symphonic, half heavy metal soundtrack, to bring in those teens. Considering the album covers, youâd think that heavy metal would fit with sword and sorcery, but it doesnât, and this is from a Black Sabbath fan from way back. The music reminds me that this isnât a fantasy world, but just a movie released in 1997.
At least the film’s pacing is good. It never slows down for too long, though it feels like it needs a longer opening. The film starts with Kull fighting members of the guard in an attempt to join them, while everyone tosses out lines that establish who they are. Perhaps somewhere on a cutting room floor there is an extra ten minute segment showing Kull arriving in Acheron.
Intended as a third Conan movie until Arnold Schwarzenegger turned it down, Kull the Conqueror isnât horrible if you are looking for a low rent Conan.