{"id":4629,"date":"2024-01-27T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-27T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"

MOVIE REVIEW
\r\nThe Conan Chronicles: Conan The Barbarian & Conan The Destroyer<\/strong>
\r\n&nb"},"modified":"2024-01-27T13:42:03","modified_gmt":"2024-01-27T13:42:03","slug":"epic-adventures-reborn-in-high-definition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/epic-adventures-reborn-in-high-definition\/","title":{"rendered":"Epic Adventures Reborn in High Definition"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n
\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>5 Minute, 36 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>

MOVIE REVIEW
\nThe Conan Chronicles: Conan The Barbarian & Conan The Destroyer<\/strong>
\n \/  –   <\/strong> <\/strong> <\/strong> \/   <\/strong> <\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n

Genre:<\/strong> Action, Adventure, Fantasy
\nYear Released:<\/strong> 1982 \/ 1984, 2024 Arrow Video 4K\/Blu-ray
\nRuntime:<\/strong> 3h 52m
\nDirector(s):<\/strong> John Milius \/ Richard Fleischer
\nWriter(s):<\/strong> Robert E. Howard (based on the character created by,) John Milius (written by,) Oliver Stone (written by,) Edward Summer (story) (uncredited) \/ Roy Thomas (story by,) Gerry Conway (story by,) Stanley Mann (screenplay by)
\nCast:<\/strong> Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Earl Jones, Grace Jones, Olivia D'Abo, Max von Sydow, Mako, Gerry Lopez, William Smith, Ben Davidson, Sven-Ole Thorsen, Cassandra Gaviola, Nadiuska, Wilt Chamberlain, Tracey Walter, Sarah Douglas, André René Roussimoff, Jeff Corey, Pat Roach, Ferdy Mayne
\nWhere To Watch:<\/strong> available January 30, 2024; pre-order here www.arrowvideo.com<\/a>, www.mvdshop.com<\/a>, or www.amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

RAVING REVIEW: <\/strong><\/strong>Come along with me as we enter the realm of THE CONAN CHRONICLES; one is immediately enveloped in the grandeur and depth of these iconic adaptations. The 4K presentations of CONAN THE BARBARIAN and CONAN THE DESTROYER transform these familiar tales into a stunning, new visual narrative. The transformation of Robert E. Howard's classic sword-and-sorcery stories into this high-definition format is a remarkable and welcome technical achievement. These films are not only a tribute to the genre but the starting blocks for it as well.<\/p>\n

\n

CONAN THE BARBARIAN, directed by John Milius, is an impressive visual odyssey. It showcases the evolution of Conan from captive to legendary warrior. Embarking on a vendetta against the evil Thulsa Doom, portrayed by the legendary James Earl Jones, Conan’s journey is as captivating as it is visually stunning. Following this, under Richard Fleischer's direction, CONAN THE DESTROYER veers into a lighter, more whimsical territory, adding a different flavor to Conan's adventures while retaining the saga’s overall appeal.<\/p>\n

This was the first time I had watched both of these films. I remember seeing glimpses of them on TV as a child, but I’m so glad I waited. They genuinely shine in their technical execution. The 4K restoration injects new vitality into every frame, with colors and details that leap off the screen. The auditory and visual landscape of these films is as immersive as their creative storytelling. Basil Poledouris's musical scores are crucial in elevating the narrative, with a sound that will stick with you long after you finish the film.<\/p>\n

Arnold Schwarzenegger's portrayal of Conan is commanding and nuanced, underpinning the films’ narratives. This is one of those situations where it feels like the actor was born to play a role. It doesn’t feel like Schwarzenegger is portraying Conan as much as he is Conan. Despite some uneven performances, the supporting cast contributes to the charm and depth of this mythical world, each new character adding an intriguing addition to the larger universe.<\/p>\n

THE CONAN CHRONICLES presents a compelling dichotomy: one film is steeped in a potent narrative and memorable music, while the other offers a more playful exploration of the iconic hero. The 4K restorations rejuvenate the visual splendor of these films and bring Poledouris's impressive compositions to the fore. (thank goodness that everything used to be shot on film; it’s a shame that there are so many movies that will never see this glorious upgrade) The result is a well-rounded cinematic journey that honors Conan's legacy and redefines it for today’s audience. For longtime enthusiasts and newcomers, these films offer a spectacular experience of a world where magic and myth coexist.<\/p>\n

Bonus Materials
\nBrand new 4K restorations of both films from the original negatives by Arrow Films
\n4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentations of both films in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
\nThree versions of Conan the Barbarian via seamless branching: Theatrical Cut (127 mins), International Cut (129 mins), and Extended Cut (130 mins)
\nNewly restored original mono audio and remixed Dolby Atmos surround audio for both films
\nOptional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on both films
\nArchive commentary for Conan the Barbarian by John Milius and Arnold Schwarzenegger
\nArchive commentaries for Conan the Destroyer by Richard Fleischer and actors Olivia d’Abo, Tracey Walter, and Sarah Douglas
\nBrand new commentaries for both films by genre historian Paul M. Sammon
\nNewly assembled isolated score tracks in lossless stereo for both films
\nNewly filmed interviews for Conan the Barbarian with production artist William Stout, costume designer John Bloomfield, special effects crew members Colin Arthur and Ron Hone, actors Jorge Sanz and Jack Taylor, assistant editor Peck Prior, and many others
\nNewly filmed interviews for Conan the Destroyer with Bloomfield and Walsh, casting director Johanna Ray, art director Kevin Phipps, and stunt coordinator Vic Armstrong
\nConan Unchained: The Making of Conan, an archive documentary from 2000 featuring interviews with Schwarzenegger, Milius, Stone, Jones, Lopez, Bergman, Poledouris and several others
\nArchive bonus features for both films, including interviews with sword master Kiyoshi Yamasaki, writers Roy Thomas & Gerry Conway, and Poledouris, outtakes, and more
\nA Tribute to Basil Poledouris, a series of videos produced by the Úbeda Film Music Festival, including a video of Poledouris conducting a concert of music from Conan the Barbarian in 2006 (remixed in 5.1 surround)
\nTheatrical trailers and image galleries for both films
\nDouble-sided fold-out posters for both films
\nTwelve double-sided collectors’ postcards
\nIllustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing by Walter Chaw and John Walsh and archive set reports for both films by Paul M. Sammon<\/p>\n

For more reviews, please visit https:\/\/linktr.ee\/overlyhonestmr.<\/p>\n

Follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Find my social media accounts on most platforms simply by searching Overly Honest Movie Reviews.<\/p>\n

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.<\/p>\n

[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]<\/em><\/p>\n

DISCLAIMER:<\/strong>
\nAt Overly Honest Movie Reviews, we value honesty and transparency. Occasionally, we receive free items for review, including DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, Vinyl, Books, etc. We assure you that these arrangements do not influence our reviews, as we are committed to providing unbiased and sincere evaluations. We aim to help you make informed entertainment choices, regardless of our relationship with distributors or producers.<\/p>\n

Amazon Affiliate Links:<\/strong>
\nAdditionally, this site contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may receive a commission. This affiliate arrangement does not affect our commitment to honest reviews and helps support our site. We appreciate your trust and support in navigating these links.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \n
\n \n \"Happy\"\n <\/a>\n
\n Happy <\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n \n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Sad\"\n <\/a>\n
\n Sad <\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Excited\"\n <\/a>\n
\n Excited <\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Sleepy\"\n <\/a>\n
\n Sleepy <\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n \n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Angry\"\n <\/a>\n
Angry<\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Surprise\"\n <\/a>\n
Surprise<\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

MOVIE REVIEW The Conan Chronicles: Conan The Barbarian & Conan The Destroyer  \/  –      \/      Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy Year Released: 1982 \/ 1984, 2024 Arrow Video 4K\/Blu-ray Runtime: 3h 52m Director(s): John Milius \/ Richard Fleischer Writer(s): Robert E. Howard (based on the character created by,) John Milius (written by,) Oliver Stone (written by,) Edward Summer […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4630,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4629","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4629","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4629"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4629\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4630"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4629"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4629"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4629"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}