While Steven Kostanski’s Deathstalker is essentially a remake of the cult 1983 film, it’s a totally different beast, both narratively and in tone. The original was a brash, testosterone-filled beast but this is a gory, fun-filled classic-in-waiting.
Opening with a fountain of blood gushing from a decapitated head, Deathstalker sets its stall out from the off. As a battle comes to a close, Deathstalker (Daniel Bernhardt) plunders riches from the dead and the dying. He takes an amulet from one unfortunate, but it’s something that will put the beefy thief in jeopardy. He can’t get rid of it, either. Each time he tries, it reappears in his pocket. He teams up with a diminutive wizard, Doodad (voiced by Patton Oswalt and acted by Laurie Field), and another thief, Brisbayne (Christina Orjalo), in an attempt to break the magical bond the amulet has on him. There’s more peril ahead, however, as Deathstalker and his new friends must face the evil Necromemnon (Nicholas Rice) and the feared Dreadites.
There’s a massive plus Deathstalker has over other recent sword and sorcery films in that it’s packed with practical effects. All the assorted trolls and creatures are brought to life through costumes and makeup, as well as some stop-motion, which pays direct reverence to Ray Harryhausen. Add to this the fountains of blood and plenty of hacked limbs, and you know you’re onto a winner. This is not surprising since Kostanski, once a member of the directing team Astron-6, has plenty of form, having given us Psycho Goreman and Frankie Freako in recent years. The humour is natural and not overbearing, and the plot is genuinely engaging. Gone is the misogyny and nudity of the original movie, replaced by something more accessible and fun. In fact, the only downside we can point to is Bernhardt’s unconvincing wig!
There’s very little fat on the script, either, with an action scene coming almost every five minutes. There’s no danger of getting bogged down in exposition here! Fans of both fantasy and gore are served well, and it’s a jewel in the director’s already impressive résumé.
DEATHSTALKER is available to stream on Shudder.
