Deathstalker
review by Bobby Blakey
In 1983 director James Sbardellati aka John Watson teamed up with iconic producer Roger Corman for the film Deathstalker. The film launched a franchise that included three sequels, but after the last one in 1991 it seemed the series was over. Now they are rebooting the film with martial arts action star and iconic stuntman Daniel Bernhardt taking on the title role. The film co-stars Patton Oswalt, Christina Orjalo, Paul Lazenby, and Nina Bergman with PG: Psycho Goreman director Steven Kostanski, but will it bring the sword and sorcery action or will it be magics it just can’t stop?
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Deathstalker follows the Kingdom of Abraxeon under siege by the Dreadites and heralds of the long-dead sorcerer Nekromemnon. When Deathstalker recovers a cursed amulet from a corpse-strewn battlefield, he's marked by dark magick and hunted by monstrous assassins. To survive, he must break the curse and face the rising evil. Death is just the beginning… of great adventure!
The gratuitous nudity and sword slashing of the original film series was part of a slew of films in this genre during the 80s. The Deathstalker series while not massive hits were likely posters you saw in the video stores and included cult followers. Of course, going into this new one I had low expectations as the property it’s feeding off is low on the quality as well, but with the always awesome Daniel Bernhardt kicking ass as Deathstalker it had potential, and it delivers everything I expected.
It you saw the fun PG: Psycho Goreman then you get the tone of this film fused with 80s sword and sorcery in all its bloody monster filled fun. The film leans into every aspect of this genre in the best old school way from insane and silly
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creatures, quirky one liners and over the top fantasy elements had me all in. Bernhardt is great in the role, getting the chance to lead the charge, bringing his badass action skills to the mix.
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The rest of the cast are hit and miss with some of the way too over-the-top and silly but fits right into this wacky world. The film reminded me of every random film of its kind I would pick up just based on the cover and I was here for it. It’s not breaking down any barriers in the genre and isn’t for everyone, but I had a lot of fun with all its cheese exactly the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
If you liked the original series or just these 80s fantasy films then give it a shot, you will likely have as much fun as I did.
In addition to the film this release offers up bonus content including an audio commentary with filmmaker Steven Kostanski and Daniel Bernhardt, audio commentary with Steven Kostanski, director of photography Andrew Appelle, and editor Robert Hyland, an interview with Steven Kostanski and Daniel Bernhardt hosted by Todd Stashwick, a conversation with visual effects supervisor Cody Kennedy, visual effects artists Matthew Satchwill and Adarsh Bora with moderator Steven Kostanski, a Behind-The-Scenes Look at the Skeleton Fight featurette, and more!
Step into the fantasy world of Deathstalker available now on Blu-ray from Shout! Studios.
