It’s been a long time coming for a new Red Sonja on the silver screen. Infamously, once a project for director Robert Rodriguez and star Rose McGowan, followed by loads of other failed efforts, fans of the character deserve a far better movie than this for the wait they’ve endured. The 1985 movie with Brigitte Nielsen and Arnold Schwarzenegger is pretty terrible even by nostalgia standards, but the new one from director MJ Bassett doesn’t even clear that low bar. It’s a shame because star Matilda Lutz recaptures the passion and physicality of her 2017 breakout role in Vengeance, but doesn’t get much in the way of support.
The chief problem is the same that hampers many of Bassett’s projects. Shoddy production values and a woeful screenplay burden Red Sonja from the start, which could explain why it’s only getting a one-night theatrical release before heading to digital. Lutz stars as Sonja, in what is essentially an origin story for the iconic character inspired by Conan author Robert E. Howard’s creation. When we first meet her, she is happily living her life alongside her loyal steed and other woodland creatures composed of crap CGI. The lone survivor of a tribe of people wiped out by evil warlord Emperor Dragan (Robert Sheehan), Sonja nonetheless ends up his captive after trying to thwart one of his slaughters. Dragan’s companions are the animalistic Karlak (Martyn Ford), and most prominently, the mentally unhinged Annisia, played by ex-Batwoman actress Wallis Day. Dragan needs their help to find a book that will empower him to rule the world.
Taking cues from Gladiator, Spartacus, and other similar swords ‘n sandals flicks, Sonja finds herself thrust into the arena to fight for Dragan’s entertainment. Of the many reluctant companions by her side are the “tasty morsel” Osin the Untouched (Luca Pasqualino), and the stoic Petra (Rhona Mitra in an unexpectedly small role). But after a tragic battle against one of her newfound mates, Sonja begins to rally the crowd and the other enslaved fighters to fight back against Dragan’s cruelty.
Screenwriter Tasha Huo has been a writer on Hollywood’s rising star list for a couple of years, but Red Sonja makes you wonder why. Along with cheesy dialogue and a generic storyline, the film wastes time that should’ve been dedicated to more swordfights with a lame potential romance between Sonja and Osin, where she teases making him “untouched” no more.
Not that anyone cares about the script. Let’s be honest, most are going to watch Red Sonja to see Lutz kicking ass in the familiar chainmail bikini. And to be fair, if cleavage is what you’re here for it’s in abundance. Sonja doesn’t stick with the classic look forever, but she has no problem baring skin even though one would think a swordfighting warrior barbarian would want a bit more protection.
I’ve praised some of Bassett’s work in the past for making the most out of very little. She’s never been gifted with massive budgets to play around with, but Red Sonja just looks awful. Relying mostly on extreme close-up shots and CGI to hide the cheap backdrops, the film never stands a chance of living up to what such a popular character deserves. That said, the battles themselves are kind of cool, and that’s where Bassett gets to show off. A fight with a Cyclops comes across very well, with the creature having a classic Harryhausen-esque look to it. The climactic battle combines fire and water to create an impressive showdown that makes you wish that Red Sonja had more tools to work with. As fans of the character know, it could be a long time before this shot comes around again.
Red Sonja is in theaters now, followed by a digital release on August 29th!
