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Elements of many fantasy films we've seen before: An, almost, "cheesy" beginning that sort of reminded me of the beginning of both The Sword of Shannara and A Knight's Tale. Incredible Oregon forests and waterfalls-wolves and dreamlike atmospheres like Ladyhawke and Excalibur. A desperate jump into a river kinda like a cross between LOTRs and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. A struggle for survival and self-redemption with touches of TC in The Power That Preserves and The Princess Bride. Prehaps the writers had read the Mallorean? In any case the deserts, the forest, the music and costumes are very cool.
Is there a plot? Hmmmmm...well there is but maybe a bit too drawn out and melodromatic. Loose ends and a setup for a sequel unravel from the beginning and a cool enemy race (good guys?) pop up at the end that might be a cross between Elves and Sithi (from Memory, Sorrow and Thorn). There are some good battle scenes and a battle in flashback. It's epic, in it's own way, and along with the fun associations it creates a hell of alot of work for the writers, producers and director to live up to. Say what you will about this flick but if they're really going to go anywhere with this visual treat-the sequel is going to be awesome. Blake Stadel (a stage actor no one's ever heard of before) creates a memorable haunted hero (who carries the plot more than the other way around): Asbrey of Westender-in any case he'd make a great Allanon...
Given the dreath of quality fantasy films out there, aside from LOTRs, this one's worth looking into-you just have to be patient with it and imagine all the explaining the sequel will have to do. Darn good effort, for an "Indie"...
*****
Before, you are wise; after, you are wise. In between you are otherwise.
Fravashi saying (from the formularies of Osho the Fool) <i></i>
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