[7.00/10] Solomon Kane (2009)

Solomon Kane (2009)

This was the first thing that struck me about "Solomon Kane" - it looks amazing! The film boasts surprisingly high production values with great sets, costumes, special effects, and many well-staged sword fights. From its locations to the costumes and make-up the scene is set and the viewer is drawn in by the gritty realism of it all. The fantastical plot mixed with this kind of scenic realism is a brilliant mix and director Michael J. Bassett gets the balance just right. The next thing to mention is James Purefoy as Solomon Kane. He gives a brilliant performance and has screen presence to spare as the character truly comes to life, especially in the vibrant and brutal action scenes. He receives fine support from the more experienced actors surrounding him, including Max Von Sydow and Pete Postlethwaite. Yes, "Solomon Kane" was a tad predictable, well it was from the creator of "Conan", so you could hardly expect high art. But, unlike you would have expected, it was quite a dark film, one man's quest to redeem his soul, and you believed in it, Purefoy played the complete ruthless murderer and the tortured soul, and in the confines of the film you believed it. The choreography was decent and the action sequences are realistic and sweeping. Many of the fight scenes were shot in what had to be difficult conditions. "Solomon Kane" isn't without its flaws, but is basically the gory, more adult, and definitive version of what "Van Helsing" should have been. With the amount of decapitated heads that are rolling around, every action scene littered with splattered blood, and its darker twists on religious views, "Solomon Kane" delivers a blood-soaked cinematic delight!

• My Rating: 7.00/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 82% (6.4/10)
• IMDb: 6.4/10