Le temple du dieu soleil

ARK OF THE SUN GOD is an INDIANA JONES & 007 copy that's an okay time waster. The real reason to watch this Italian made film is David Warbeck (THE BEYOND) who's a great action star, imo. He would have made a fun James Bond. The production values are good. I really enjoyed the car chase made with models, not real cars. And some of the effects at the end were pretty good. But the whole film is hampered by a grubby look/feel about it (dark and dreary sets; the two old and overweight men at Warbeck's side) and a vivid sense of Deja Vu for anyone who has already seen YOR, THE HUNTER FROM THE FUTURE, which sorta keeps it from being more fresh and fun. And that stupid song was really annoying. But it's a must-see for fans of David Warbeck. Those who don't know him or Italian cinema in general will probably not like this though.

This has lots of action and there is a modern setting, just too many overcast cloudy weather scenes, where is sunlight, for the Istanbul setting which is the city of many movies of intrigue and a welcome cinematic return. Highlight is a cat burglar sequence.

This Italian Indiana Jones inspired adventure, from director Antonio Margheriti, certainly seems to have its fans, but I'm not one of them, finding the low rent action on offer rather tedious.

David Warbeck stars as world-class cat burglar Rick Spear who is enlisted to help locate a Turkish temple where, as legend has it, lies the tomb of demigod Gilgamesh, whose jewelled sceptre bestows the bearer with great power. Out to prevent Rick from succeeding is a descendant of the demigod, Prince Abdullah (Aytekin Akkaya), who sends his men to kill the adventurer.

With its 'exotic' locations an overcast Istanbul and a drab desert, 'exciting' car chase scenes achieved via remote-control vehicles, two ageing overweight Sallah-style sidekicks, and a 'lost' temple that is so easy to find I'm surprised that there wasn't a tour guide and a gift shop, The Ark of the Sun God is stodgy schlock that rarely kicks into gear, idling away until the predictable ending when the bad guy battles our hero while stone columns collapse around their ears.

4.5 out of 10, rounded up to 5 for Susie Sudlow as Rick's eye-candy girlfriend Carol.

The dream team of Antonio Margheriti, David Warbeck and John Steiner reunite for a thematic sequel to Hunters Of The Golden Cobra, and its a beauty, as good if not better than the earlier film. Warbeck is on top form and John Steiner is as magical as ever in a rip roaring adventure that will keep you hooked until the credits fade. Good guys, bad guys, fisticuffs, car chases and a lovely in joke about Roger Moore. This is a wonderful film.

The story of a safe cracker hired to help find a lost scepter thats hidden in a lost tomb is nothing more than an entertaining diversion. No, its no where near the level of say an Indiana Jones film or some of the great Hollywood action films, however it is an entertaining little film, perfect for a rainy weekend afternoon. An Italian/Turkish co-production this film sports sights that are not the sort you've seen a thousand times before, indeed it appears to have been filmed in the much under used cities and county side of Turkey. The story is good and moves along nicely. The actors, many of which are Euro-trash and exploitation regulars handle themselves nicely. You'll forgive the lack of detail, but this is a simply a good mindless movie thats worth seeing, even though it will disappear from your brain not long after.