Let's get away from the salacious and dip back into the surreal. Mondo Macabro has set itself as one of the few companies to release GOOD DVDs of Turkish movies- I'm looking at you, Seytan. Let's check out...
To give a little history, Tarkan was a very famous comic character in his native land a la The Phantom or Prince Valiant. This was enough to get him a film in the pop cinema hay-day there.
*
The film quickly introduces Tarkan and his wolf, who he loves more than his own people. I know what you're thinking after the last few films, so let me just say that there is no bestiality in here. Our Hun hero is off to visit his lady friend, but their encampment is attacked. In the battle, our tough hero is wounded and his pet dies. It's young pup is alive and nurses him back to health.
*
The villains are an interesting group. You've got a Viking leader- who looks a lot Conan's friend from his cartoon show- who has joined up with a Chinese Princess. Why? Good question. The problem is that nobody can remain loyal. The Princess betrays the Viking (Tora) for Tarkan, but can't remain loyal to him. It's all very confusing, so let's focus on the action and absurdity.*
Basically, if you have seen any good Sinbad movie, you have seen what this movie has to offer. That does not mean that it is bad by any means, just predictable. Of course, it does have its strange moments. The curious thing is how they portray Tarkan's battle prowess. He spends the majority of the movie going into battle and getting beaten. While one could argue that heroes thrive through adversity, this film overdoes it by the fourth or fifth failed rescue attempt.*
The best parts of the movie are the bizarre ideas it has. First off, the barely-explained team-up of the Chinese Princess and the Vikings. It's interesting, but weird. Second, the 'torture' scenes of the women captured by the Vikings. They are just plain weird. Lastly, there is the monster. Throughout the film, they build up the idea of the Vikings' evil monster used to sacrifice to. Once you see it, well, the reaction is different. It is just freaking stupid looking. Good stuff. You can even see it in action here.
*
Is this movie good? Not by any means. It is silly, low-budget and has a ridiculous plot. Of course, to me, those are all positive traits. In spite of itself, the movie is fun and stupid. Pulp fans will have a good time with this, as well as the informative documentary and the less-entertaining film The Deathless Devil that comes packed on one DVD. Thank you, Mondo Macabro.
No comments:
Post a Comment