Deathstalker and the Warriors from Hell

Ah.....did my ears deceive me or was that the same score from 'Battle Beyond The Stars' AND 'Wizards Of The Lost Kingdom'? Oh yes it was! - which told me right from the start that this movies budget was presumably marginally smaller than a dead dogs IQ.

Still....there is the saying 'cheap and cheerful' so I sat and watched the film with low (but quietly hopeful) expectations.

Now I should point out here that having seen all of the Deathstalker movies, I've only really liked number 2 which took the refreshing step of introducing a highly comedic element into what is intrinsically a very stoic and humourless genre.

However, it was evident within a few minutes, and I was pleased to find that this sequel too, continued the tongue in cheek trend, although it is far more subtle here.

John Allen Nelson assumes the role of the eponymous hero this time around and he does an amiable job, delivering some witty one liners to help the action along.

So far not too bad then.....so why the relatively low rating I have awarded this film?

Well you see, nothing of any interest actually happens!

Sure there is some glorious overacting (especially from Thom Christopher), some atrociously choreographed sword fights, enough daft scenes to sink a Frigate and some exceptionally stupid dialogue....all the things in fact that any self respecting B-Movie should boast, however, it all feels strangely flat here.

Even the usual nudity quotient is ominously low in this instalment! (Shock, Horror!!!!)

To summarise then, whilst this is certainly not a particularly unwatchable movie, it certainly fails to enthral and will probably only be of any real interest to people wishing to view the whole Deathstalker series.

I only saw this from Mst3000, and this movie is a perfect candidate. Bad acting, bad effects, stupid story. John Allen Nelson (or relson, your choice) loses his English accent within 5 minutes of this movie, and the guy playing Truxardis is wearing the shortest skirt even worn on a man before. from what I understand there are 4 of these films, I think MST should have done all of them, but hey we'll take this one. Potatoes are what we eat!!

This third part of the "Deathstalker" series has some amusing moments, but bogs down in the second half because of too much plot, and many of the swordfights are badly and clumsily choreographed. Still, if you like your violence completely bloodless and your hero totally self-conscious about the kind of film he's in, you may like this. (**)

Many commenters have failed to mention something that sets this movie apart from the other deathstalker sequels... namely, the lack of stock footage. To me nothing is more annoying in a fantasy movie than when the elements of fantasy are yanked from other movies that did a good job(For example, Almost every Fred Olen Ray movie you can get your hands on will have stolen footage of stop motion dinosaurs from a masterpiece called planet of the dinosaurs.) Deathstalker 2 and 4 are horrible about this problem. they feature minutes upon minutes of unmistakable battle scenes from the first deathstalker. Now I suppose part 3 isnt entirely innocent since it yanks the theme song from battle beyond the stars, but thats okay. Also, I would like to mention that people who see a cover of a deathstalker movie and are disappointed to find the movie is nothing like it are falling for the oldest trick in the exploitation book. Deathstalker 3 is by no means a classic. its a little bit boring and this time the guy playing deathstalker isn't as cool, but I give it much credit for not showing me scenes from the other movies in the series.

Deathstalker meets twin princesses and goes on a quest for a magic diamond.

Along with the stilted Alfonso Corona's direction, Howard R. Cohen slack at best screenplay lacks logic. Silently produced by Roger Corman, Alejandro Rulfo Israel Torres medieval music borrows from The Raven, Battle Beyond the Stars and Brian Eno's prophecy theme from Dune. With arrow and sword action littered throughout the pacing is more plodding than its predecessors. That said, there's an impressive spectre and undead warriors thrown in for good measure. The exterior locations give it a little depth; but it's very set and stage like throughout.

The third of four Deathstalker movies, hero Deathstalker is replaced again now played by John Allen Nelson (best known for Killer Klowns from Outer Space). Nelson is more cocky than swashbuckling John Terlesky from II, and less Conan-like than Rick Hill in the original. Aarón Hernán hams it up as wizard Nicias, stunning Carla Sands can do no wrong in tone dual role. Terri Treas as Camisarde wrestles impressively with the laughable sparse script. Novel bald on top evil sorcerer Troxartes played by Thom Christopher (Hawk from Buck Rogers) along with the rest of the cast do their best with the clunky sword fights and dialogue.

Overall, a little tamer and less fun than the first two, that said worth watching for the leads.