In The Name Of The King: A Dungeon Siege Tale -- Good Performances For The Budget

You and I both know that when a film isn't previewed, it's either spectacular or spectacularly bad.   "In The Name Of The King" meets that expectation about 1/2 way.  My rating:  $5.50 (1.-9.).

Burt Reynolds is still alive.  He hasn't aged since he got old about 10 years ago and started playing all the frisky old-guy parts.  He does a much better job as King Konreid, the honorable and fair King of Ebb (?sp).  He also does some believable sword fighting -- or the editing was good.  Another older fellow with the melodious voice is John Rhys-Davies who plays Merick, one of the last 'magi' or magicians to the king. 

Jason Stratham has the starring role as 'Farmer' (because people are called what they do), an ex-soldier turned family man.  Claire Forlani (who will forever be the girl death falls in love with/'Meet Joe Black') plays Farmer's wife, Solana.  They have a son -- but not for long.  Solana has a brother named Bastian (Will Sanderson) who must have been training for the WWF with those tree trunk thighs and sculpted torso.  I know that it's clique to have a long -haired, muscle bound hunk in these movies but this guy's HOT!!

More recognizable faces help raise this movie from the depths of video game H-ll.   Ron Perlman plays Norick, retired soldier who helped raise Farmer when he was orphaned at 3 years of age.  LeeLee Sobieski plays Merick's daughter, Muriella, who is learning her new powers through her lover, Gallian (Ray Liotta - totally not a midevil character), a magi gone to the dark side.  Gallian is in cahoots with the King's nephew, Duke Fallow (Matthew Lillard) whose personality reminds me of the idiot Lillard played in "She's All That".  He and Liotta don't belong out of the 20 century.  

Lastly, Kristianna Loken plays Elora, leader of the forest women who can direct vines to bind their enemies.  Loken is 28 years-old and between seasons of 'Painkiller Jane' on TV.  As the title character, Jane, Loken has the ability to heal herself from any wound.  She's part of a secret government group who tracks people with extraordinary powers being used to manipulate the less talented folks in society.  (Do I hear 'Mutant X'?)  Watch it if you get a chance, you might get hooked.

I noticed during the movie and made a promise to myself to remark about the number of black men among the soldiers.  Lots of them.  None were made out to be slaves, 2nd class citizens, funny, ignorant, or caricatures in any way.  Brian J. White does an excellent job as the King's right hand man, Commander Tarish.  Tarish is head of all the armies.  AND he speaks perfect English - no funky syntax, thank you very much.  His fighting was excellent and rivaled Jason Stratham's.  Ron Selmour plays General Hallette, an intelligent military character.  What a breath of fresh air not to see a black man portrayed with a gun and punk language.  Maybe somebody in Hollywood should give White a chance as an action hero himself. 

Quick synopsis:

Gallian seduces Muriella to get her to betray her father naively.  Oily wretch, Duke Fallow, is the shallow drunkard who aspires to the throne behind the King's back.  He's enlisted Gallian to bring down the King so he can be rule.  He's just too stupid to think someone might doublecross him.  That's how Gallian gains entry into the castle. 

Gallian has this ability to manipulate the environment.  He takes over the Krug, and animalistic race who wouldn't have the mental ability to organize anything without Gallian's magic.  Gallian starts by raiding various villages to get slaves for his underground forge.  Gallian uses the Krug leaders as mannikins through which he directs the battle from his hideaway in Castle Ebb. When the Krug raid Farmer's town and kill his in-laws and his son, Farmer sets off with Norick and Bastian to kill the bad guys.   Merick takes a special interest in Farmer but we don't find out why till 3/4 way through the movie (unless you guess earlier).     

The meat of the story is the travels and challenges of  all the players as they work their way to Gallian's evil castle and the finale.  Who's left standing is the ultimate question.  The performances of these higher quality actors, I believe, gave the script more credibilitiy than if they had used nobodies.  As it is, most people won't want to see this movie because it's made from another video game.  I think it holds its own.  I don't mind that I paid $5.00 to see it at Lynnhaven.  I might be more critical if I had paid $9.00. 

Chris Taylor is the creator of both original video games, 'Dungeon Siege 1' and 'Dungeon Siege II'. Jason Rappaport, Dan Stroncak , and Doug Taylor developed the story from which Doug Taylor wrote the script.  German producer/director/writer (Bloodrayne series) directed and produced this film.   The run time is a full 2 hours without trailers and rated 'PG-13'.  There's really no sex in it nor much bad language.  There' are a few beheadings but mostly the commanding Krugs who die have black, spirit stuff come out when killed. 

If you can't see yourself seeing this in the theater, I'd recommend it on DVD for sure.   TAKE CARE!!

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