Solomon Kane DVD
Starring: James Purefoy, Max von Sydow, Pete Postlethwaite, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Ian Whyte
Director: Michael J. Bassett
Rating: 4/5
British actor James Purefoy returns to the big screen this week as the sword wielding Solomon Kane in Michael J. Bassett's latest movie, his first movie since Wilderness in 2006.
Solomon Kane is an epic adventure adapted from the classic pulp stories by Robert E. Howard, creator of "Conan the Barbarian."
Solomon Kane (Purefoy) is a 16th Century soldier who learns that his brutal and cruel actions have damned him and his soul is wanted by the devil.
Determined to redeem himself, Kane swears to live a life of peace and goodness but is forced to fight once more when a dark power threatens the land and the innocent people that live there..
Alright lets get the bad out of the way first at time the pacing of the film does go a little wayward at times, which loses the film momentum, but that really would be my only criticism.
The sword and sorcery film hasn't exactly dominated the big screen in recent years, in fact it has been almost forgotten, so it's great to see filmmaker Bassett and actor Purefoy take a chance on Solomon Kane.
The sword fights are really some of the most exciting points of the movie and Purefoy becomes a somewhat unexpected action hero.
His performance as the tortured Kane is really very good as he drives the movie forward. He's a very tortured character as he tries to run and hide from the past he is ashamed of.
Trying to stay on the path of good he soon learns that the road to redemption is not always a peaceful one. He once again picks up his sword to save the daughter of the family who showed him kindness and drive evil out of the land.
Purefoy has often been labelled as an up and coming leading man and this could really be the role that announces his arrival.
Given the fact that Solomon Kane was made on a rather modest budget of around $40 million it's a great looking movie, the CGI is particularly impressive.
The movie is loaded with exciting set pieces and sword play, evil creatures and is an adventure that you can't help get swept along with.
Purefoy's charisma oozes through the character of Kane and he really is a great leading man that deserves major success.
Solomon Kane is the movie that perhaps Van Helsing should have been and it would be great to see a franchise develop, it's was left perfectly poised for a sequel.
While the movie is by no means perfect it's highly entertaining with a very rich and interesting central character.
The sword and sorcery movie has perhaps not always been a success but, as they say, there is an exception to every rule. I love it!
Solomon Kane is out on DVD now.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw