SOLOMON KANE (2009)

[indianasmith]

How did this movie get by me?  I mean, seriously, how does something this good remain out for FOUR YEARS and just now get a video release here in the States? 

I spotted this at Hasting's earlier a couple of weeks ago and rented it this week not sure what to expect.  The best way to explain it is a quote from a reviewer at IMDB.com -
"Ever wonder what it would be like if Van Helsing didn't suck? To take that idea a bit further, ever wonder what it would be like if the films Van Helsing and Constantine were able to mate and its offspring was a film that was actually pretty awesome? In a nutshell, that's what you get with Solomon Kane. "

The casting here is very solid.  The title role is played by James Purefoy (Marc Antony in HBO's series ROME), and his father is played by Max von Sydow.  Kane is a powerful mercenary warrior who fought alongside Drake during the time of Queen Elizabeth.  A man of violence and bloodshed,  he is informed that his soul has been damned and barely escapes when one of Satan's minions tries to harvest him.  Seeking redemption, he renounced violence forever and sought refuge in a monastery.  But when the abbot informs him that he must leave, he meets up with a Puritan family preparing to emigrate to America and falls in with them.  Their patriarch, William Crowthorne, is ably played by the late Pete Postlethwait.  When the family is attacked by marauders in the service of an evil sorcerer, Kane returns to his life of violence in order to rescue their beautiful daughter.  But will he endanger his own soul in the process?

Great special effects, abundant gore, a compelling storyline, and great acting.  This one is a must-see!

[Chainsawmidget]

Solomon Kane got a movie? 

Wow.  I used to love reading those old marvel comics he appeared in.  I'll have to check this out. 

[Archivist]

YES!  I love the Solomon Kane movie, and I'm surprised that you haven't seen it, Indy.  The American release is what messed it up, because it was made a little while ago and took a few years to be released in the States.

Solidly enjoyable from all aspects, from the acting and direction to the plot and action.  it's dark and violent but retains that fantastical atmosphere.  Love this movie!  It would be great to see a sequel, but I doubt this will happen.

[Neville]

I got to see this one in theatres, found it an OK film. It has atmosphere in spades, but maybe not enough fun.

[zelmo73]

Solomon Kane got a movie?  

Wow.  I used to love reading those old marvel comics he appeared in.  I'll have to check this out.  

If this comic book movie craze that is currently going on in Hollywood was worth even a bag of sand, they would invest in a real Marvel Cinematic Universe movie and team up Conan the Barbarian, Kull the Conqueror, and Solomon Kane in a movie.

[SynapticBoomstick]

I just watched this yesterday on Netflix without prior knowledge of either the Solomon Cane character (shame) or the film itself and enjoyed it exponentially with each scene. I echo, how did I miss this?! The plot and acting was excellent and the creature/make-up effects were well used - not a lot, but to full impact when they were.

[Couchtr26]

I got to see this one in theatres, found it an OK film. It has atmosphere in spades, but maybe not enough fun.

Yes it does have a certain slow pace that is lacking and I wouldn't call the story the most interesting.  It kind of drones on and over stays it welcome.  The atmosphere invoked is good but otherwise alright.