Savage Sword of Conan: Mask of Archeron

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8.6 (6)
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6 reviews
 
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83%
5-7 stars
 
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3-5 stars
 
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1-3 stars
 
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Overall rating
 
8.6
Audio/Video Quality
 
8.8(6)
Audio Editing
 
9.0(6)
Visual Editing
 
8.5(6)
Narrative
 
8.2(6)
Enjoyment
 
8.3(6)
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Overall rating
 
8.6
Audio/Video Quality
 
8.0
Audio Editing
 
10.0
Visual Editing
 
9.0
Narrative
 
8.0
Enjoyment
 
8.0
The Cinematic Release.
Unlike most people, I thought the theatrical release wasn't so bad. I enjoyed it enough that after seeing it in theatres (3D, for $20) I was still happy to spring for the blu-ray. It wasn't a cinematic masterpiece, but it was a pretty good sword and sorcery movie, and I think Momoa did a better job as Conan than Schwarzenegger did. I think it would have been better had they adapted one of the better stories rather than making something up.

The Fanedit.
The fanedit makes the film significantly more pulpy. It cuts out a lot of the extraneous garbage, and what's left is a leaner, better, action movie. Quite good. Taking the audio and some soundclips from the old movies was an excellent decision. The quite forgettable soundtrack was replaced with one that was worlds better. I didn't notice the lighting changes from the original, but everything flowed quite well, and that's the sort of thing you only notice if it's done poorly.

The tentacle monster scene with Isla Shann should be cut. I get the nostalgia factor - and yes, it's a Conan movie, so giant snakes. But it's not a giant snake, and it doesn't add anything meaningful to the film. I would have preferred to see it get cut, and a bit more of the fight/dialogue between Conan and Kalahr get added back in.

I also think that the bit of perverse daughter hits on father and gets rejected in the cinematic movie added something interesting there. It made the bad guys a bit more 3 dimensional.

Is it better than the cinematic release? Yes.
Could it be further tightened up/improved if the editor released a version 2? Yes.
Is it currently a good, watchable S&S film? Absolutely.

User Review

Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
D
1 reviews
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Overall rating
 
9.0
Audio/Video Quality
 
10.0
Audio Editing
 
10.0
Visual Editing
 
9.0
Narrative
 
8.0
Enjoyment
 
8.0
I am a HUGE fan of all things Conan, but I simply cannot get into THIS remake, therefore I will rate only on the technical points. You have very clean video transitions and audio cues, but the music is a bit loud in some scenes. I can make out the dialogue but just barely. The narrative skipped around a bit much for me personally, but it was nothing too jarring. I do love that you used Conan the Barbarian score(even the rare tracks)! This edit was well done overall, I just personally didn't care for the film itself.

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Yes
Format Watched?
DVD
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Overall rating
 
8.6
Audio/Video Quality
 
8.0
Audio Editing
 
9.0
Visual Editing
 
8.0
Narrative
 
9.0
Enjoyment
 
9.0
Attempted reboot of the Conan character. Detailed sets, overdone CGI (nothing new there), production values that Milius would have killed for. As the Cimmerian, Jason Momoa is no Schwarzenegger, though he is better than poor Ralf Moeller. For a lite edit, Agent9 trimmed a hefty 25% of the running time, replaced the score, and recoloured the film.

Video - Solid, rich colour throughout, even desert scenes didn’t look washed out, as so often happens filming under such harsh lighting. Later sequences inside/under the temple were full of blacks and shadows, no artifacts or flaws. Never noticed any odd transitions or jarring trims. Pro level all the way.

Audio - Robust 2 channel stereo - no subs. Dialogue clear throughout. Never caught any bleed through of the original score during the Poledouris cues.

Narrative - Ha! Axe 25% of the narrative and still make sense? Well - yes. C’mon, you ever read any of the Robert E Howard original tales? They pound like a racing cheetah. So does this edit and is completely for the better for it. Plot is sheer pulp, with few lulls in the tempo.

Enjoyment - Of course. The original wasn’t as awful as rock lobbers decry. Score it a 6/10. Agent9's edit is more entertaining, however. Plus, being briefer, one can load up another barbarian quickie (Hundra? maybe not). Easily recommended for swordplay buffs or fans who need a fresh Conan fix.

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Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
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Overall rating
 
8.4
Audio/Video Quality
 
9.0
Audio Editing
 
9.0
Visual Editing
 
8.0
Narrative
 
8.0
Enjoyment
 
8.0
I disliked Conan the Barbarian (2011) when I first saw it, but I really liked this edit!

Agent 9 cuts several unnecessary scenes and goes straight to the point. The music of Basil Poledouris fits well in most cases, as in other scenes does not fit either, yet the music makes the movie much better! The fight scene against the men of sand is much better and more exciting with the music of Basil, as well as the end credits.

I think the octopus/monster scene should be cutted too

I really enjoyed this fanedit! Congratulations Agent 9!

User Review

Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
U
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Overall rating
 
8.4
Audio/Video Quality
 
9.0
Audio Editing
 
8.0
Visual Editing
 
9.0
Narrative
 
8.0
Enjoyment
 
8.0
The original film was a complete disgrace to Conan and cinema in general. I think I remember rating it a 2/10 after I first saw it. Just a complete mess that seems unsalvageable but then again after seeing a Phantom Menace fanedit that completely turned the crap film around, I guess I can't be surprised at anything anymore, lol.

Anyways, Agent 9 made a damn near perfect edit of this film and turned it almost completely around and into a very very watchable and mostly enjoyable movie. There are still some annoyances, most of which are just from characters alone and not due to editing, but overall this edit took a 2 and turned it into a 7 for sure.

I see in the comments, Agent 9 is aware there may be some issues, and yes, some minor stuff could turn this into an 8/10 easily. Early on, some of the soundtrack is too loud and drowns out Ron Perlman's dialogue but the remainder of the film it's not an issue. If I were to suggest some easy cuts, I'd say toss the whole octopus scene completely; it's wholly unnecessary and kind of crap anyways. I understand the want to keep it for nostalgia sake to compare with the '82 snake scene, but there's no need for it. Also, in the finale, there could be some small chops to remove the witch a little more, who is annoying at all times - and if possible, the whole "possession" sequences could be cut (and mute the audio of the girl saying "let me go" every 2 seconds).

But really, I can't complain much. It's amazing that there was a good film to be found at all in this movie, so kudos to you Agent 9 for making sterling silver our of a turd.

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Yes
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Digital
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