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(About Our Ads) "IN THE NAME OF THE KING: A DUNGEON SIEGE TALE" (2008) (Jason Statham, Ray Liotta) (PG-13) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Minor Moderate Extreme *Mild Extreme Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Moderate Minor Extreme None Minor Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Moderate None Extreme Moderate Extreme QUICK TAKE: Action: A man sets out to rescue his kidnapped wife and avenge their son's death at the hands of animalistic brutes controlled by an evil sorcerer. PLOT: In the medieval Kingdom of Ehb, King Konreid (BURT REYNOLDS) is the longstanding monarch, but things are underfoot that threaten his rule, something his sorcerer, Merick (JOHN RHYS-DAVIES), can sense. It seems his counterpart, Gallian (RAY LIOTTA), has turned to the dark side, and not only is secretly romancing Merick's daughter, Muriella (LEELEE SOBIESKI), but is also conspiring with the King's good-for-nothing nephew, Duke Fallow (MATTHEW LILLARD), to overthrow him. To do so, he and Gallian have employed some humanoid, but beastly warriors known as the krug, with Gallian using his sorcery to control the brutes. That includes attacking the village of Stonebridge where Solana (CLAIRE FORLANI) and her young son, Zeph (COLIN FORD), have arrived to visit her family, including her parents and adult brother, Bastian (WILL SANDERSON). Solana's appropriately named husband, Farmer (JASON STATHAM), has stayed behind, but is the first to encounter the krug attack that then makes its way to the farm of his neighbor, Norick (RON PERLMAN), and then Stonebridge. Farmer and Norick fight valiantly, but when they arrive in the village, they discover that Solana is missing and Zeph has been murdered. Upset that the king's army, led by Commander Tarish (BRIAN J. WHITE), wasn't around to protect them, Farmer and the others don't join them, but instead head off on their own in hopes of finding Solana. Unbeknownst to them, the krug have kidnapped her and others who are being transported back to Gallian's immense mining operation to be used as slave labor. From that point on, and as King Konreid and his army must contend with Gallian and Duke Fallow's combined megalomaniacal desires and efforts, Farmer and the others, with some help from woods tree dweller Elora (KRISTANNA LOKEN), set out to find and rescue Solana and avenge their son's death. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? If they're into medieval style action flicks and/or are fans of anyone in the cast, they just might. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13 For intense battle sequences. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: JASON STATHAM plays a medieval man who wants nothing more in life than to be a farmer with his wife and child. However, when she's kidnapped and their son is killed, he sets out to rescue her and avenge their son's death, resulting in him killing many krug along the way. RAY LIOTTA plays an evil and megalomaniacal sorcerer who wants to be king and thus uses his powers to control the krug to carry out his violence. He's also having some sort of affair with Muriella. LEELEE SOBIESKI plays that young woman who also imagines herself a warrior and trains for that, but is stymied by her father's restrictiveness. JOHN RHYS-DAVIES plays her father, the king's sorcerer who tries to figure out what Gallian is up to and how to stop him. RON PERLMAN plays Farmer's lifelong friend who wants more for him, and then ends up helping him on his quest. CLAIRE FORLANI plays Farmer's wife who's kidnapped by the krug and must contend with news of her son and parents' murders. BRIAN J. WHITE plays the king's commander of his army who's initially suspicious of Farmer, but then fights alongside him. He also doesn't get along with and battles Duke Fallow. KRISTANNA LOKEN plays a woman who lives in the trees with others of her kind who don't like trespassers, but eventually decide to help Farmer and his clan. MATTHEW LILLARD plays the king's no-good nephew who's really plotting to undermine his uncle and usurp his throne, with help from Gallian. BURT REYNOLDS plays the king who must contend with that, Gallian's efforts, and being reunited with his long-lost son. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: The following is a brief summary of the content found in this action pic that's been rated PG-13. Profanity consists of a few minor expletives, while some colorful phrases are also uttered. Off-screen sex is implied, and some on-screen kissing and brief (and non-explicit) fooling around occurs on beds and in a chair, while various women show varying amounts of cleavage. Medieval style action violence includes many individual as well as large-scale battles where many characters (human and some sort of humanoid type beasts) fight, wound, or kill each other via various means, including the use of various weapons. Some blood is present (along with the brief view of severed heads flying through the air), but not as much as would be expected considering the sheer quantity of violence, and it's not presented realistically. Some of that might be unsettling or suspenseful to very young viewers or those with low tolerance levels for violence, but others likely won't have that sort of reaction. Various characters have varying degrees of bad attitudes. For those opposed to the use of magic, sorcery, and the like, that occurs in the film. Tense family material includes the deaths of various family members, some consumption of wine occurs, and some behavior might be enticing for some kids to imitate. If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. For those prone to visually induced motion sickness, there are varying degrees of handheld camerawork in the film. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE Farmer, Solana, and Norick may have wine with their meal. Duke Fallow holds a goblet that presumably contains wine. Duke Fallow has wine with his morning meal, but King Konreid comments on that, so Duke Fallow pours it out. Duke Fallow wants some wine before a duel, but doesn't get any. BLOOD/GORE As various wizard type characters dissolve and fly away (or come back together at another location), we very briefly see skeletal forms of them during the transition. Blood comes out of a krug and somewhat floats up into the air after Farmer slices the beast. We see some blood on the ground near a victim. Duke Fallow stabs one of his own men for questioning him, and we see a little blood on the blade. Farmer slices a krug's throat, with some blood coming out and floating up. Farmer decapitates several krug during a battle (separately), with views of the severed heads and some blood flying through the air. Tarish has several bloody cuts on his face following a battle. Norick and Bastian kill many krug, with some blood floating up from one. Solana has a little bit of blood on her head. Gallian has a little bit of a bloody lip after Solana slaps him, and then a trickle of blood down his forehead later while battling Farmer. DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE For those opposed to the use of magic, sorcery, and the like, that occurs in the film. Gallian uses his wizardry to command the krug to do his bidding, including attacking, kidnapping, and killing of others, including Farmer's son. He's an evil megalomaniac who plots to be the land's lone king, and will do anything to become that. Duke Fallow conspires with Gallian to usurp the throne from the former's uncle, and attempts to do that in various ways (including shooting the king with an arrow). He's also demeaning to Tarish (including calling him a toy he'll never tire of) and lets his connection to the king give him power that goes to his head (and refers to King Konreid as a "senile goat"). Muriella has a fling with Gallian despite knowing that he's the king's mortal enemy. Gallian runs his hand along Muriella's bare leg, but she's not comfortable with this anymore, stating, "I'm not your harlot." That prompts him to say he'll take what he wants, including her virtue. Duke Fallow stabs one of his own men for questioning him, and we see a little blood on the blade. Gallian has various humans working as slave labor for him in some sort of immense mine. Gallian tells Solana that he cut out her son's guts while killing him. FRIGHTENING SCENES Scenes listed under "Violence" may be unsettling or suspenseful to younger viewers and/or those with low tolerance levels for such material, but probably few others. We see that a krug, remotely controlled by Gallian, has Farmer tied up, with a noose around his neck. The krug then lifts him into the air via that, with Farmer struggling. He then kicks the krug and manages to slice his neck (with blood coming out and floating up), followed by the rope breaking and Farmer falls to the ground hard. Muriella nearly commits suicide (due to disappointing her father by secretly seeing Gallian, and thus possibly threatening the monarchy), but her assistant stops her. A krug chases after Muriella on horseback, but we later see the krug suspended in the air via vines, and it appears to be dead. Farmer briefly dangles from a cliff. GUNS/WEAPONS Swords/Spears/Arrows/Clubs/Boomerang/Catapults: Carried and/or used to threaten, wound, or kill others and/or cause property damage. See "Violence" for details. IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "They don't scare easily," "You're not fit to kiss my gown," "You're a toy I'll never tire of" (said in a condescending fashion), "Senile goat," "Don't be so melodramatic," "Disloyal dirt lover," "Are you telling me that arrogant bastard is my son?" "What the hell does that mean?" "Pigs" and "Are you going to fight or talk me to death?" All of the fighting, action, and other stunts (including the use of a boomerang) might be enticing for some kids to imitate. Farmer uses his boomerang to try to chase off some birds from his farm. Muriella briefly spars with Tarish (with swords). JUMP SCENES krug suddenly attack Bastian in the woods at night. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) An extreme amount of suspenseful, ominous, overly dramatic, and action-oriented music plays in the film. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) None. PROFANITY At least 1 damn, 1 hell and 1 use of "For God's sakes." SEX/NUDITY We see Gallian and Muriella lying side-by-side on a bed clothed, sharing a few kisses (she also shows a little cleavage). She then tells him it's time for him to go. Solana shows some cleavage. Farmer playfully climbs on top of Solana on their bed, and she states that she wants what every woman wants, a little passion. He says he'll see what he can do, they kiss, and the scene ends there (with sex suggested, and we later hear she's pregnant, but we don't know if that's from this presumed encounter). We see a young woman playfully sitting on Duke Fallow's lap as his hands are up on her chest (pretending they're hers), but there doesn't appear to be any breast contact. Gallian runs his hand along Muriella's bare leg, but she's not comfortable with this anymore, stating, "I'm not your harlot." That prompts him to say he'll take what he wants, including her virtue. Elora shows cleavage in several scenes. Solana shows some cleavage. Muriella shows a little cleavage. SMOKING None. TENSE FAMILY SCENES Muriella comments on her father never letting her do what she wants. Farmer must contend with his son being murdered (we see him finishing wrapping and then burying the body) and his wife missing (he initially doesn't know if she's dead or has been kidnapped). At the same time, Bastian buries his parents who were also murdered, and worries about his sister (Solana). Solana is told of her son and parents' death and reacts accordingly. Spoiler Alert: Farmer learns he's the king's long-lost son. Spoiler Alert: Farmer sees King Konreid (his father) die. We then see the burning funeral pyre, but no view of the body on fire. Gallian tells Solana that he cut out her son's guts while killing him. Spoiler Alert: Merick transfers his magical powers to Muriella just before he dies in front of her. TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT Life in medieval times. Megalomania. Monarchies. For those opposed to the use of magic, sorcery, and the like, that occurs in the film. Norick's question to Farmer, "Where's the courage in just surviving?" Muriella nearly commits suicide (due to disappointing her father by secretly seeing Gallian, and thus possibly threatening the monarchy), but her assistant stops her. VIOLENCE We see brief and partial flashback images to some sort of attack or attacks, but the action is frenzied and presented so that you can't tell what's happening. Farmer hears odd noises from the woods around his farm, and that makes him cautious. We see regular point of view shots of the krug watching and approaching him, and one then attacks him, knocking him to the ground, where he avoids additional blows at him with a club. He then trips, elbows, and flips that one, followed by fighting with others, including slicing them with his sword (no blood). He then races off to Norick's barn, which is partially on fire, and where Norick is fighting other krug with a hoe. Farmer then joins in (including hitting one with his boomerang) and the two hit, kick, slice and otherwise fight these creatures, killing many of them (no blood), including one by hanging. Solana spots krug approaching their village and thus sounds the warning bell. As her father takes her son back to safety, we see krug attacking the villagers, wounding or killing them. Farmer and Norick then show up and fight off and kill many krug, including with swords and arrows. Many on both sides are killed in this several minute sequence, but there's no blood (except where noted), while Solana kicks down on one krug that's coming up the tower steps to get her. Farmer impales a krug, while Norick fires an arrow into another. One on horseback then knocks down Farmer who then slices that one or another, with blood coming out and somewhat floating up into the air. Other krug burn and/or wreck parts of the village, while Gallian controls one krug who holds Solana's parents by their necks and then kills them that way. The krug then pursues Zeph who tries to run away and hide, but the krug finds and kills the boy (we don't see the impact). Farmer slides down a long rope over a wide gorge, and then shuffles the rest of the way over to the other side. Norick and Bastian then try to do the same, but Norick slides back into Bastian and they both end up falling a long distance into the river below (but are okay). King Konreid kicks Duke Fallow backwards in disgust, followed by Tarish pushing Duke Fallow out of a room. Vines snake along the ground toward Farmer, Norick and Bastian in the woods, eventually grabbing and suspending them by their ankles. After Farmer convinces Elora to let them go, Norick and Bastian fall and hit the ground hard, but are okay. Duke Fallow learns that he ate some of the poisoned food that Gallian got to the king. Gallian then gives Duke Fallow the antidote, while King Konreid must rely on Merick to use his magic to bide him some time. Duke Fallow stabs one of his own men for questioning him, and we see a little blood on the blade. krug suddenly attack Bastian in the woods at night. Farmer and Norick then come to his defense and kill some of them. A krug grabs Norick, while another hits Farmer from behind, knocking him out. We see that a krug, remotely controlled by Gallian, has Farmer tied up, with a noose around his neck. The krug then lifts him into the air via that, with Farmer struggling. He then kicks the krug and manages to slice his neck (with blood coming out and floating up), followed by the rope breaking and Farmer falls to the ground hard. A massive battle breaks out between the krug and the king's army. That begins with archers firing many arrows into many krug (no blood), followed by large-scale, hand to hand combat where parties on both sides are bashed, sliced and otherwise struck, wounded or killed by various means (including catapults fired into the army, arrows fired into the krug, and burning krug catapulted back into the army). During this multi-minute battle, Duke Fallow repeatedly tries to shoot King Konreid with an arrow and finally succeeds, hitting him in the chest (King Konreid is mortally wounded). At the same time, Farmer throws a spear into a krug leader and then decapitates him (we don't see that contact, but do see the head and some blood flying). Farmer is then knocked down and must avoid a krug on horseback (that tries to get the horse to rear up and step down on him). He then hangs onto the side of the horse while fighting the krug, with the horse eventually falling and Farmer decapitates that or another krug (again, no impact, but a view of the head and blood flying). A krug chases after Muriella on horseback, but we later see the krug suspended in the air via vines, and it appears to be dead. Some vines grabs Duke Fallow who then tries to strike Muriella with his sword, but she deflects those blows with hers. Norick and Bastian kill many krug, with some blood floating up from one. A semi-major, good character is killed during a battle. Duke Fallow and Tarish battle each other with swords. Gallian overturns a table in anger. Gallian grabs Solana by the face and then the hair. Moments later, she slaps his face, and he grabs her by the throat. There's a large-scale battle between the king's army and krugs, at night and in the rain, where many blows are delivered by various means, and many on both sides are wounded or killed. That includes flaming arrows fired into the krug, while boulders are also rolled downhill into many of them. Gallian uses his magic to control floating swords to try to strike Merick, but the latter uses his own magic to control one to defend himself. Spoiler Alert: Gallian finally gets the upper hand and has broken sword pieces come together and go through Merick, delivering a mortal wound. Bastian and other prisoners attack their krug guards, killing some of them. Gallian uses his magic to knock Solana aside, followed by a swordfight with Farmer. Gallian barely manages to avoid several swipes during this, and even catches the blade between his hands (with a little trickle of blood coming down Gallian's forehead). Gallian then uses his magic to knock Farmer backwards and then be swept up in a tornado of books. He then stops that, Farmer falls to the floor, and Muriella saves Farmer and herself from blasts of magic, allowing Solana to stab Gallian through the body with a sword, followed by Farmer delivering a fatal slice across some part of his body. Reviewed January 11, 2008 / Posted January 11, 2008