Props fighting props

KRULL (1983)

Reviewed by Jerry Saravia

 

A black fortress from space arrives in the planet Krull and disappears and materializes anywhere it wishes to go. The fortress is operated by some sort of monster. A valiant hero named Colwyn (Ken Marshall), who will someday be king, has to find a star-shaped weapon that can destroy the monster and save the planet. Of course, he has to save his marriage from dissolving since his wedding ceremony was interrupted for reasons unknown by the Slayers, monstrous beings who shoot lasers and seemed to have come from the world of J.R.R. Tolkien. Throw in a cyclops, a magician who keeps notes on how to use his magic, a terrific band of thieves that includes a young Liam Neeson and you got something called a movie.

"Krull" has several problems. For one, the tale is a prophecy as mentioned by the narrator but what exactly is the prophecy? This simple-minded tale is just about a future king who has to vanquish evil from corrupting the planet, but what is the monster's purpose? Why does this monster care about the planet Krull or the damsel in distress? What is it with the all-seeing eye (Tolkien, once again) and the Cyclops who can foretell his own demise? And there is the fascinating sage and the Widow of the Web (complete with a giant crystal spider that the Widow keeps at bay with an hourglass) but much of their story is short-changed for action scenes that never go anywhere or propel the plot forward. Basically, there is not much depth to any sort of mythology and the movie makes up its own rules as it goes along.

"Krull" makes the most unforgivable mistake of any sword-and-sorcery adventure crossed with a dose of sci-fi - it is tiresome and snail-paced. Say what you will about "Star Wars" (which this movie copies along with tropes inspired by "Lord of the Rings") but that series had a mythology that was extensive and clear with exciting action and colorful characters. "Krull" has some characters I wanted to know more about, especially the Cyclops and the magician and the Robin Hood gang of thieves, but they never develop into anything other than props. It is props fighting props without an ounce of imagination.