Movies / Reviews
First Reviews Of New 'Red Sonja': Hit Or Miss?
The new film adaptation of 'Red Sonja' reveals mixed reviews from critics, highlighting both strong performances and script flaws.
Director M.J. Bassett previously made the adventure film Solomon Kane and the action film Rogue. She now returns with a new adaptation of the famous warrior from the comics: Red Sonja, featuring Matilda Lutz in the lead role, alongside Wallis Day and Robert Sheehan. Unfortunately, the film does not reach great heights.
Red Sonja, currently holding a Tomatometer rating of 53 percent, tells the story of the red-haired warrior Sonja, who seeks revenge on those who have slaughtered her family and people. As she fights her battles, she uncovers a greater evil threatening her world.
Julian Roman from MovieWeb describes Red Sonja as a successful sword-and-sorcery film. "Red Sonja impresses: an energetic fantasy film that turns out better than expected. Matilda Lutz delivers a physical, intense performance that she combines with subtle emotion." The reviewer awarded the film a 3.5 out of 5.
Frank Scheck from The Hollywood Reporter has a different viewpoint. He claims the film attempts feminist and ecological themes, but fails to execute them well. "The whole is too clichéd and drawn out to really convince."
William Bibbiani from TheWrap is also critical, calling the film an example of a fantasy film that does not achieve grandeur. "A sword-and-sorcery epic that does not understand the meaning of 'epic.'"
Leslie Felperin from The Guardian points out the inconsistent quality of the script. "Occasionally, a funny one-liner pops up, but mostly the film falls into clunky pseudo-medieval dialogues."
Jake Wilson from the Sydney Morning Herald sees the film as a B-movie that does not pretend to be more than that. "In a time when fantasy films are often overly serious or too light-hearted, one can almost feel sympathy for the simple, cliché-ridden approach of Red Sonja."
Red Sonja, currently holding a Tomatometer rating of 53 percent, tells the story of the red-haired warrior Sonja, who seeks revenge on those who have slaughtered her family and people. As she fights her battles, she uncovers a greater evil threatening her world.
Energetic Fantasy Film
Julian Roman from MovieWeb describes Red Sonja as a successful sword-and-sorcery film. "Red Sonja impresses: an energetic fantasy film that turns out better than expected. Matilda Lutz delivers a physical, intense performance that she combines with subtle emotion." The reviewer awarded the film a 3.5 out of 5.
Frank Scheck from The Hollywood Reporter has a different viewpoint. He claims the film attempts feminist and ecological themes, but fails to execute them well. "The whole is too clichéd and drawn out to really convince."
Faux Medieval Dialogues
William Bibbiani from TheWrap is also critical, calling the film an example of a fantasy film that does not achieve grandeur. "A sword-and-sorcery epic that does not understand the meaning of 'epic.'"
Leslie Felperin from The Guardian points out the inconsistent quality of the script. "Occasionally, a funny one-liner pops up, but mostly the film falls into clunky pseudo-medieval dialogues."
Sympathy
Jake Wilson from the Sydney Morning Herald sees the film as a B-movie that does not pretend to be more than that. "In a time when fantasy films are often overly serious or too light-hearted, one can almost feel sympathy for the simple, cliché-ridden approach of Red Sonja."
