Michco Reviews

Pathfinder (2007)

Don't think of this as a 'history lesson' ... just enjoy the story.

[8/10 · 1 September 2007]

This film was very good. I really think the viewers should not even think about it being a 'history lesson' at all. It is very much a Frazetta style picture, with almost exactly the 'Death Dealer' painting portrayed. So with that in mind this is a movie of possible unknown 'raiders' who are just *way* too brutal and they just want to kill and maim and they need to be stopped at all costs by the natives of the land ... and so they need a hero.

I think this film is at least twice as good as "300", and here's why: although it has almost exactly the same 'graphic novel' look and feel, I like this film more because the storyline was very engaging, great characters, costumes, and cinematography. As you watch the movie each scene is distinct and new and really is memorable, and if you *really* squint your eyes you might even believe it (like 'Lord of the Rings'). There is lots of gore (heads lopped off, etc.) but that is the current styling of films anyways; I could do with a little less of it myself.

I loved the natives and how they're portrayed. The costumes and sets are fantastic! There's a bit of their mysticism, and honour (warriors are very 'brave'), and real sense of tribal bonding and family.

PS. Watch the DVD extras and you really 'get' where they were going, (who cares about the vikings having horns??). It's just a great movie, and for story this is great! Thanks to the cast and crew !

The Legend of Ivanhoe (1999 Video)

Relatively low-budget movie dubbed into English.

[2/10 · 5 August 2004]

I have a large collection of sword fight movies, and bought this one on ebay to complete my collection. This movie looks to me like a relatively low-budget movie that was shot on location with an actual castle, but interior sets (painted stone walls). But it must have been done in another language because the entire audio track is dubbed into English (at least the NTSC version for USA and Canada). I tried watching some of the film with 'mute' on the TV and I'm quite certain that they are not just re-dubbing the English. The downfalls of this film are many starting with the poor camera work that uses zoom instead of camera movements, etc. The story moves very slowly, the costumes are the old 'wool' chain mail, but has otherwise some decent clothing. The actors themselves look like they could be good but have to act with poor story and direction. I fell asleep the first time I tried to watch this film.... but after continuing the next day, at least there was a castle battle and sword fight finish. Unfortunately, this was lessened by the choice by the studio to put slow music over most of the exciting parts, so that they would not have to 'foley' the battle scenes. A slight plus was a tournament scene with jousting on horseback. With original soundtrack and voices I might give it a 5/10, but this version gets a 2/10.

Wolfshead: The Legend of Robin Hood (1973)

Pretty decent for a lower budget film.

[7/10 · 21 June 2003]

This title shows up once in a while on eBay as "THE LEGEND OF YOUNG ROBIN HOOD" because it was renamed that sometime in the 70's. I found this a refreshing change from the usual Robin Hood. I also recommend "A CHALLENGE FOR ROBIN HOOD". The plusses of these films is that they are shot in England around real castles.

Snow White: The Fairest of Them All (2001 TV Movie)

Barely adequate and disappointing version.

[2/10 · 17 March 2002]

I am choosing my words very carefully so as to be fair but honest. I was very disappointed with this latest remake. I think a film like this could and should be as good for overall mood, feeling, and dramatic camera moves as 'Legend' with Tom Cruise. The very first thing the producers should have done was not go with Miranda Richardson! I suppose that with a better director her performances could have actually been menacing rather than whispering, which reminded me exactly of her performance in another TV movie 'Merlin' as Queen Mab! I would have rather gone with a complete unknown, like Kristen Kreuk, who did very well here. Some scenes reminded me of lower budget computer CDRom games like '7th Guest', etc. I might be wrong here, but I really think the director does not have enough passion and innate talented visual concept of what a movie like this should be about, which in my opinion is: dark, scary, real, fantastical. Where were the cool transitions from prince to bear, and bear back to prince, etc, and what about giving us some sense of time after stating 'sixteen years later', and the dwarves are acting like it's the same day shoot! Bottom line is it looked like a first time effort of a film student.