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If you're into sword-and-sorcery tales, look no further than this critically underrated big-screen fantasy based on the fiction of Conan the Barbarian creator Robert E. Howard. It was a troubled production and the outcome is far different from the more serious and intelligent epic that screenwriter Charles Pogue had originally conceived. Still, this is a giddy, energetic throwback to the Ray Harryhausen movie fantasies of the 1950s and '60s, and it's a perfect vehicle for Kevin Sorbo, the hunky star of TV's Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Sorbo brings an appropriate combination of depth and physical agility to the role of Kull (son of Conan), but he and director John Nicolella know better than to take this stuff too seriously. The movie's humor is nicely integrated into the dialogue without resorting to lame punch lines, and Tia Carrere is enjoyably campy as the evil goddess who lures Kull from his favorite concubine (Karina Lombard) as she plots to overthrow the kingdom of Valusia. Playwright Harvey Fierstein also provides comic relief in a scene-stealing role, and with an abundance of black magic, stunning Slovakian locations, and grand battles of good versus evil, this heroic adventure is more entertaining than you might expect. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (34)

This aint Kull, but still
This movie has all the silly acting, corny dialogue and unconvincing special effects that we've come to know and love in these sword-and-sworcery movies. Unfortunately, even with some experienced hands on board, this movie fails to come together satisfactorily.

Despite the multitude of able, if not spectacular, actors in this film, there's really not much good acting. Particularly bad was Carrerre, who could've been good but for some reason couldn't hold herself together and had to go stealing Darth Vader's lines.

Sorbo, his acting saved by his Hercules experience, isn't very good but he's not horrible either. The swordplay, however, is mixed. Most of the time it i badly done, but sometimes that fight scenes are pretty neat. There's one big no-no, however -- no blood. I can't stand people being hacked up without blood.

In fact, that's the thing which could've benefitted this movie the most -- an R rating. I think the producers underestimate the adult population. You aim a movie at kids, who knows, but if you make an adult film, it will do well. There's enough sex and violence in this movie it would've been a simple thing to elevate the dialogue a little and aim it at the mature.

And then there's the fact that this isn't Howard's Kull...that Kull wasn't interested in women, he was all into philosophy and the mysteries of the universe and all that.

The music is somtimes interesting and inspired, but the hard rock battle music is sadly out of place and the main theme is repeated so often it gets boring.

This is a fun, watchable movie if you don't mind lousy, computer-game-esque special effects and corny dialogue.

The difference being.....
I didn't really have a problem with this movie. The whole thing was based on a character from Robert E. Howard novels (who technically is an ancestor to Conan of Cimmeria), had one of the same producers involved with the Conan movies, and the ORIGINAL soundtrack being hard and thunderous, enough to do Conan proud. I had no problem with this film, save for one thing....

Kevin Sorbo.

Yes, Mr. Pretty boy Hercules himself is placed into the role of Kull of Atlantis, ancestor to Conan the Barbarian, actually trying to play himself off as a barbarian. Would've been more believable to me had they gone with Lou Ferrigno, Arnold Schwarzenegger, or, dare I say, perhaps even Triple H. Apart from that one minute detail, the movie was terrific.

A decent enough movie despite what people say
Kull's a pretty decent film despite what people say. It may be dumb but it's dumb fun and it's worth the price. It's a really enjoyable for a cheesy fantasy/barbarian action flick. I would take Kull over Conan any day. I don't know why so many people love Conan anyway. Kull is dumb fun but the Conan movies are just dumb.

entertaining while not much else
I have seen Kevin Sorbo in Hercules and like Hercules he does good with the role that has been given to him. Though Kull is the son of Conan there is surprisingly no reference to that in the movie. So do you need to see the Conan movies before watching this? Absolutely not. In fact, I think Kull the Conqueror is better than the Conan movies. Though not superb, this movie does manage to entertain. Tia Carrere does good playing the evil and seductive ressurected queen who Kull has to defeat in order to save the kingdom he wants to rule. If you like movies based on fantasy/mythology, check this one out. Though the music and sense of humor are a bit far fetched considering the time of which Kull the Conqueror takes place, this still makes for a decent flick.

Something's Missing
"Kull the Conqueror" missed the mark by a mile. Robert E. Howard's Kull was a dark, brooding barbarian warrior from Atlantis who became a king. Kevin Sorbo is not exactly what I had in mind. But in a way, he's the movie's only saving grace. He is charming (which the original certainly was not) and funny. But it is the modern aspects of the movie that hurts it's atmosphere. The jokes are way too 20th centery and the heavy metel sound track is also too modern. The tone of the whole movie is too light to really do Howard's creation justice. Oh, and by the way, Kull is an ancient fore-father of Conan, not Conan's son. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Hooper's Performance is The only good reason to watch
The movie [was weak], but Dennis Hooper's performance is just plain awesome. The only reason I liked to watch the film... :-). No but seriously, vintage Hooper at his best in the film is only reason to buy it, I couldn't stop laughing at some of the scene Hopper did....

One of Pare's best movie
I'm the fan of Michael Pare, i've watched some of his greatest movies (which available in Indonesian Market)and i always enjoy it. I like this movie, the story not bad, acting is ok, and the sex scenes is hottt (Pare with Tweed ). Unfortunately most of his (Pare) movies not available in dvd format, i think that it would be great if it had as i like to have dvd collection for Pare's movies (Point of Impact, Womens Club, etc).

Adam Ant Movie Lover
How did a movie with Hopper, Pare and Adam Ant get missed at the theater? I bought this movie because I'm an avid Adam Ant fan who wants to see all his movies. This one suprised me becuase it wasn't just good, but I'd never heard of it before. A definite must for any fan of the above but especially for me as an Adam Ant fan.

Michael Pare's always great!
I just rented this one and really enjoyed it. I knew with Michael Pare and Dennis Hopper it stood a good chance of being enjoyable, and it was. I liked the storyline and the action was pretty slick. I was not a music fan of Adam Ant, but he did a pretty great job in his role of a conartist. I hated to see him get wasted off, as I enjoyed his character. Pare is great in all his work. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Hooper's Performance is The only good reason to watch
The movie [was weak], but Dennis Hooper's performance is just plain awesome. The only reason I liked to watch the film... :-). No but seriously, vintage Hooper at his best in the film is only reason to buy it, I couldn't stop laughing at some of the scene Hopper did....

One of Pare's best movie
I'm the fan of Michael Pare, i've watched some of his greatest movies (which available in Indonesian Market)and i always enjoy it. I like this movie, the story not bad, acting is ok, and the sex scenes is hottt (Pare with Tweed ). Unfortunately most of his (Pare) movies not available in dvd format, i think that it would be great if it had as i like to have dvd collection for Pare's movies (Point of Impact, Womens Club, etc).

Adam Ant Movie Lover
How did a movie with Hopper, Pare and Adam Ant get missed at the theater? I bought this movie because I'm an avid Adam Ant fan who wants to see all his movies. This one suprised me becuase it wasn't just good, but I'd never heard of it before. A definite must for any fan of the above but especially for me as an Adam Ant fan.

Michael Pare's always great!
I just rented this one and really enjoyed it. I knew with Michael Pare and Dennis Hopper it stood a good chance of being enjoyable, and it was. I liked the storyline and the action was pretty slick. I was not a music fan of Adam Ant, but he did a pretty great job in his role of a conartist. I hated to see him get wasted off, as I enjoyed his character. Pare is great in all his work. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Crime Story
While I am a transplant to Chicaga (the way the locals say it) the 'real' feel of the locations seep into this video. The main characters of Ray Luca and Mike Torello join in a pas de deux of crime and justice. Luca is amoral, staying strictly focused on making money as easily as possible, while Torello is so squarely on the line between good and evil that when he walks, one foot lands on the good side and the other foot lands on the side of evil. It is this conflict that generates and develops the characters. Michael Mann has succeeded in adapting Film Noire to Color. The pilot is a great lead in to the rest of the series, and was years ahead of the quality storylines of the Sopranos. The only way it could be better was if the rest of the series was also on DVD.

The Untouchables on acid
Before he directed some of my favorite films (Heat, The Insider, Manhunter), Michael Mann created two groundbreaking television series. Miami Vice got most of the viewers but its Crime Story that was truly ahead of its time. Crime Story dealt with Lt. Torello (played by Dennis Farina with a grimness that always allowed a sly wit to shine through) who fought organized crime on the streets of Chicago in the 1950's. His main nemesis is aspiring mobster Luca, himself a fascinating portrait of evil who somehow always managed to be somehow sympathetic in his raw need to be a true crime lord. Even while playing hommage to the crime shows of the past (I always thought of it as the Untouchables if Eliot Ness ended up having a nervous breakdown halfway through the series), Crime Story redefined the genre. It went over the head of most viewers but now, after films like Pulp Fiction changed the way we view entertainment, Crime Story has been rediscovered and its about time. Even as the show's talented cast of character actors dispensed the melodrama with a sly wink at the few members of the audience lucky enough to be in on the joke, the violence was often amazingly intense but never played for cheap thrills. As well, Crime Story had a simply amazing soundtrack. In fact, I first started watching it mostly to hear the wonderful rendition of Del Shannon's "Runaway" over the opening credits but each show was scored with some of the best blues I've ever heard and it created a moody atmosphere that, quite simply, sucked you in. If you're a fan of the crime genre but haven't seen Crime Story, do yourself a favor and track it down. This pilot film is a great place to start on what, I promise, will be one of the most entertaining rides of your life.

Crime Story,Julia Roberts
Hallo, I am a German boy. I am a very big Fan from Julia Roberts. She played in an Episode in "Crime Story"(1986). I want to get a tape of this Episode. I will pay well. Can anyone help me??? I think "Crime Story" is a great serie.My E-mail:s.gieseud.hartung@t-online.de

Crime Story fan
Absolutely the best crime show ever. I watched the series in highschool and regret not taping it at the time. I've also been searching for a copy of Runaway (the show's theme song - not Del's original version). Can anyone help?

The original CASINO, without Hollywood fluff..
..was Crime Story..I have all of these episodes taped from when they were originally broadcasted in the 1980's. The 'true to life' plots and storylines using an actual former Chicago Cop (Farina) and even criminals as actors in this series gave the episodes the *blood* they needed to succeed. Even though Mann was rough on his actors (I knew a few people who were extras in the series) he had to be to bring forth a real life series that had some scripts tailor-made and ghost-written from actual events and real figures in LCN(with poetic license and switching decades, of course) during the 1970's and 1980's. "Torello" and "Luca" are unforgettable as rivals. Sidekick "Paulie Taglia" will make you roar with laughter. Crime Story paved the way for CASINO, which later told you who they really were. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Touchy
This one is really touchy. You'll like this emotional TV movie. It makes you think and angry how people can change from lovers to enemies. Here you can enjoy Donna Mills (this time with dark hair...) in one of her best parts - she makes everything so believable and realistic.

Cheesy but enjoyable if you are a Donna Mills fan
Donna Mills does an excellent job playing a mother who decides to find the "runaway" father of her three teenage daughters and sue him for back child support. Donna stays focused as the brunette and deglamarized mother, however the flash back scenes of Donna in her teens are unbelievable (as Donna was about 50 when she made this film). This was a made for TV movie, so it's cheesy and melodramatic, but enjoyable if you are a Donna Mills fan. The supporting cast, especially the daughters portray realistic emotions.

I still haven't seen this movie yet
I was the one who asked if Brandy was in this but I guess she isn't though I was bumbed

Is Brandy in this?
I have no review I was just wondering if Brandy is in this ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Rockin Roll Crime Fighters
When I saw the pilot, I couldn't wait for the series to begin. This is crime fighting at its best. Every character was interesting and the writing was superb! My only regret is that I didn't have the VCR on "record" for the entire series. If anyone does or knows where I can get complete copies of the series on tape, write me back at humbert@midusa.net

A dark, rockin', guns 'n' chrome story.
From the chase up Lake Shore Drive in dueling '59 Ford squad cars, to the heat of Lt. Torello's stuffy office, this is one mesmerizing movie. The music, clothes, dialogue, action - everything comes together to present a wacked-out look at the greasers in the Chicago Outfit in the early 1960's and the good guys in black suits and thin ties who chased them. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Its a crime to sell Crime Story, the way it was Copied.
I bought the whole set of Crime Story. Some of the tapes contain four to six one-hour episodes. The problem with this is that all these tapes (except for the Pilot episode) are recorded in EP. Most of these tapes contain minutes to hours of untrackable video tape. I own 4 Video recorders and all these tapes could not be adjusted by tracking. Its too bad because I would be more than willing to pay a lot more money for a set, if it was recorded in sp.I think Crime Story is great, thats why this is so frustrating. Buyer Beware ! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

SuperForce true 1980's action
This was a very fun show when I was 13 to 15. This show was right after Superboy the live TV show. The one thing that made this show good that alot of new shows do not have. Is fun idea for stories. As today ever thing has to much CGI and no story any more. This show had CGI but not very good. But I like fun stories better then good cgi and a bad story. I really wish this show would have a come back on TV or DVD. I'm giving this movie a five star from what I remember when I was 13 and its a very fun B movie.

Great B Sci-Fi
This film was the start of the short lived TV show. Reminiscent of shows like Knight Rider, the A Team, Street Hawk, and Airwolf this film is the one-man-makes-a-difference-we-have-the-technology type of show. Shot on the Universal Studio backlot(just take the tour and you'll see it all) this low budget, lame computer effects extravaganza will appeal to lovers of B-flix all over the world. I liked it! ... Read more