Though the film is still in production - and there are rumblings of incorporating a 3D element to it - I had the chance recently to see a good amount of footage from Albert Pyun's Tales of an Ancient Empire - his sequel to the cult hit Sword and the Sorcerer - and have been given the thumbs up to say a few words on what I saw.
Now, this was unfinished footage so I'm not going to go into any great detail but what I saw was most of the first half of the film, from the resurrection of vampire-sorceress Xia through to the collection of the warriors - the children of the hero from the original - who must fight her to restore safety. Very much in the vein of the original, Tales is Pyun's attempt to return to an older style of fantasy, something more along the lines of what was being done in the 80's albeit making full use of current technology. The look of the film is quite good, the set design and art direction strong. Though most of the fight and magic sequences from this part of the film were omitted as the effects haven't yet been completed, what fighting was included was strong. Kevin Sorbo looks as though he'll make a pretty compelling hero character and - appropriately enough with Sorbo in the lead - the overall feel is quite close ot the sort of fantasy projects Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert have been producing for the past while, though Pyun promises something a good bit bloodier.
It's early to say for sure yet, but this looks as though it could be a solid guilty pleasure.
Now, this was unfinished footage so I'm not going to go into any great detail but what I saw was most of the first half of the film, from the resurrection of vampire-sorceress Xia through to the collection of the warriors - the children of the hero from the original - who must fight her to restore safety. Very much in the vein of the original, Tales is Pyun's attempt to return to an older style of fantasy, something more along the lines of what was being done in the 80's albeit making full use of current technology. The look of the film is quite good, the set design and art direction strong. Though most of the fight and magic sequences from this part of the film were omitted as the effects haven't yet been completed, what fighting was included was strong. Kevin Sorbo looks as though he'll make a pretty compelling hero character and - appropriately enough with Sorbo in the lead - the overall feel is quite close ot the sort of fantasy projects Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert have been producing for the past while, though Pyun promises something a good bit bloodier.
It's early to say for sure yet, but this looks as though it could be a solid guilty pleasure.
More from Tales of an Ancient Empire
- Reviews: Weinberg Reviews TALES OF AN ANCIENT EMPIRE
- News: Red Band Trailer for Albert Pyun's 'Tales of an Ancient Empire'
- News: Final Art For Albert Pyun's TALES OF AN ANCIENT EMPIRE
- News: Two More Clips From Albert Pyun's TALES OF AN ANCIENT EMPIRE
- News: A Second Clip From Albert Pyun's TALES OF AN ANCIENT EMPIRE
- News: First Clip Of Kevin Sorbo In Albert Pyun´s TALES OF AN ANCIENT EMPIRE
Well after looking up the wiki I see this movie has quite the cast! Kevin Sorbo, Christopher Lambert, Ralph Moeller etc.
I would be interested in seeing this of course! I would like to see Sorbo in a movie that is bloody and warrior based, time for him to shed that pg image.
Lets see how this plays out.