Solomon Kane is Sharp!

 

I just saw Solomon Kane and he is definitely no pansy Van Helsing. Written and directed by Michael Basset and made on a modest budget, the film is a strong example of sword and sorcery adventure done right. The 80's Conan films with Arnold S. wasn't the Conan I've read in Robert Howard's stories. Neither was Kevin Sorbo's Kull. Now, that was a sad affair. There's been a dirth of good sword and sorcery adventure films, most seemingly made by artists not familiar with the genre. The reinvented Van Helsing ( played by Hugh Jackman in the film of the same title) is a pale imitation of Solomon Kane -- in fact, that version of Van Helsing was a rip-off  of Howard's anti-hero. But Solomon Kane... now, this is pure sword and sorcery as Howard and friends defined it.

The film opens with Solomon Kane viciously assaulting a castle in North Africa. Here, we meet the titular hero and see him at his worst -- without remorse, bloodthirsty, greedy and extremely lethal. He finds himself led into a trap by the Devil's reaper and discovers that his soul had been forfeit and sentenced to eternal damnation. He escapes and we see him a year later back in England. The knowledge that he had damned his soul made him renounce his bloody ways and seek redemption through peace. A sorcerer, a mysterious masked warrior and a blighted land force him to grab a sword again, this time knowingly risking his soul to save the life of another.

James Purefoy delivers a strong performance as the grim anti-heroic 17th century puritan and demon hunter ably assisted by Pete Postlewaith, Alice Krige, Rachel Hurd Wood and Max Von Sydow. And for a small budget film, the soundtrack is outstanding. The misc en scene and photography were also brilliantly done and aptly portrayed a grim, cold, desolate England. Here, the sun seems to be hiding, with the atmosphere constantly greyed out by rain and snow, much like the desolation Kane finds in himself. Some of the CGI effects were a bit blah but the use of practical effects were immensely effective. The action is bloody, fast and brutal -- but not too kitschy nor over-the-top. No Hong Kong moves here. Plus, there's one scene after a pivotal murder when Kane picks up a black cape from the ground and swings it around to cover his shoulders -- waaaaay cool visual! Plus the symbolism of redonning a blackened past is subtly and effectively conveyed. Even the Batman couldn't pull off a cape throw that cool.

This is definitely an origin story -- something Howard's short stories never gave us. Solomon Kane's journey from a man of violence and greed to a vengeful tool of righteousness hits just the right spot in terms of heroic storytelling and although much of the story is not Howard canon, it shapes the characterization of the anti-hero very well. Basset's direction lends a strong sense of believability in the motivations that drove Kane to renounce violence then to painfully embrace it again.

All in all, a great, kick-ass adventure film. Admittedly, the narrative has flaws and plot holes but in terms of blood pumping adventure adrenalin, it delivers. If you're a fan of sword and sorcery ( and if you're not, then why are you reading my blog?) then you owe yourself to see this film. Solomon Kane's blade is indeed sharp and in my humble opinion, it is adventure done right.