Wilfried le chasseur

My review was written in May 1989 after watching the film on Vestron video cassette.

Third edition in Concorde's "Deathstalker" series is a bland, made-in-Mexico affair constituting little more than a title and pretty package for undiscriminating video retailers.

Soap opera thesp John Allen Nelson is miscast in title role, smirking his way through a non-adventure in a mythical medieval land searching for the secret treasure city of Erendor. He accompanies Princess Carissa (Carla Herd) and her big diamond in quest for a matching stone. She's killed and he finds her twin Princess Elezena (also Herd) and eventually to matching gems, for chintzy visual effects when the powerful diamonds are joined.

Herd is upstaged by a pretty Amazonian warrior played by Claudia Inchaurregui, as well as Concorde regular Terri Treas as a villainess with arch dialog readings. Nelson's all-American approach is way out of place and supporting cast is weak. Previous pics in this series had some campy material but this one's a stiff.

It is impossible to understand why they made this film.

Apparently, that is what the filmmakers were thinking, too, as they didn't even try. And their lack of trying is what is inexcusable.

MST3K did it justice.

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.

This wouldn't have been as bad if they had a tighter script, better actors, a good director, ANY kind of lighting, a plot, etc... But for me, by far the worst offense is that a large group of the supporting actors stay in character "Who dares trespass the halls of mine castle!" then there are a few of the main characters who felt they had a good handle on how to portray their character, Deathstalkers reply to the above inquiry: "Hey, I'm lost, I'm just trying to grab some grub." This is mildly paraphrased, but you get the idea. Later, when speaking to a group of warriors that are supposed to be zombified and commanded to kill Deathstalker they suddenly start a conversation. When DS asks them to switch sides and fight for him (since their master is an evil jerk) one warrior from hell says "We cannot turn uponst our master, he controls our very souls!" Not a bad reply, then the next zombie ads "yeah, he's got 'em in a jar back at the castle" in much the manner of a bored co-worker telling you about their weekend. This stinking movie is all over the place. It's pretty fun with MST3K, otherwise, get plastered before you attempt this.

As a avid watcher of Mystery Science Theater 3000, I am used to the bottom of the cinematic barrel. However this movie is so irritating, it is in a category of pain all its own.

First, John Allen Nelson makes a particularly loathsome 'hero' as Deathstalker. His arrogance comes off angering, and his attempts at sexuality come off as repulsive. You don't believe that anyone has ever desired his help or praised him. Plus, his accent lasts about 2 lines.

Second, the support characters are laughable. The princess is wooden and unpleasant. The other characters are overacted and thoroughly unbelievable-especially in the case of Thom Christopher (Troxartas).

Lastly, it is possible to make a good movie with a low budget. It is also possible to turn this type of movie into light-hearted and fun. But, with the hideous characters, bad editing, and vague plot, this movie feels pained and leaves you caring less what happened and praying they didn't make Deathstalker 4.

The only positive thing I can say is that the MST3K crew does a decent job of poking fun at it, although it is obviously painful for them as well.