KRULL (1983) **1/2 The Dungeons & Dragons set employ the desperate stratagem of trying to endow themselves with a measurable modicum of cool by repeatedly invoking Star Wars , to the extent that it's source material. Ok. If you think that D&D/hobbits is insufferable schlock unworthy of inducing the very nausea it invariably sets off...this film is not going to change your opinion. If you think that kind of fantasy is fascinating, and have that kind of an open mind to that kind of parallel dimensionality and all, it's not high art but except for the occasional dragging parts it's pretty fun. David Battley adds some-I did say "some"-humor to the proceedings, and the sets are great and might even make you think of Dali, and some of the creatures are enough to make you wonder how Harryhausen could have made them better. So there are elements of quality, just not the storyline or acting. Peter Yates puts it all together well. Not to pick on her, but Lysette Anthony is kind of symbolic of the entire thing: she seems very nice, and looks young and pure and seems very nice: but that's the totality of her characteristics. I'd think you'd get at least as much satisfaction saving the princess in a game of Super Mario. I did, anyway. So it's superficial and derivative, but given the genre and my personal tastes those may be seen as strengths, and it looks great.
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