"Red Sonja" is an unpolished, sword and sorcery, romp.
There's a discernible lack of care and polish, in this production. Its by no means in in the same class as earlier cinematic iterations, such as the film from 1985.
The story is both predictable and underwhelming. Unsurprisingly, characterisations fare little better, being of the decidedly card board cut out, variety. Fight scenes, which populate much of this flick, feel like something thrown together, by a well funded group of fantasy larpers.
Oddly enough, a portion of the acting is actually quite worthwhile, especially the villain of the piece played by the talented Robert Sheehan but really, that's about it.
In summary, a basic sword and sorcery tale,that's mildly watchable but lacking in many respects. I personally feel the film from 1985, is vastly superior. Take a look at both and see if you don't agree with me.
**_Good enough sword & sorcery flick featuring the comic book warrioress_**
Red Sonja debuted in Roy Thomas’ Conan the Barbarian comic in 1973, inspired by Robert E. Howard’s Red Sonya of his short story “The Shadow of the Vulture,” which is set in the Ottoman Empire in the 1500s. Thomas just transferred her to REH’s fictional Hyborian Age. The 1985 movie with Brigitte Nielsen deviated from the character of the comics and was too kid-friendly, particularly the bits involving the spoiled Asian child, Prince Tarn, and his loyal rotund assistant, Falkon.
Thankfully, this 2025 version ditches the goofiness for a serious S&S adventure and a better depiction of the heroine. Don’t get me wrong, Nielsen could’ve worked in the role, but her mullet was dreadful and her costume didn’t exactly reflect the comic version. In the comics, Red Sonja (supposedly) stands 5’11” and Nielsen exceeded that at 6’1” whereas Matilda Lutz in this movie stands 5’6½”. Yet this is made up for by better costuming and all-around depiction.
Speaking of which, her infamous scale mail bikini is poked fun at in a clever way with Sonja eventually donning a slightly fuller version of the getup.
Lutz may not be as voluptuous as some guys prefer, but she has her appeal and certainly isn’t unattractive. Her lithe body actually fits the athletic requirements of the character. Plus, if you compare certain shots of her in the film with frames of the old comics by John Buscema, she looks like Red Sonja to me.
The first half of the story pretty much follows the first half of the 1982 version of “Conan the Barbarian” whereas the overall tone is similar to the 2011 rendition of “Conan,” the one with Jason Momoa. The gladiatorial sequences are grander than in the 1982 film and more akin to the movie “Gladiator.” Being a sword & sorcery flick, there are fantasy elements, such as a cyclops, but they’re not overdone. Fans of sword & sandal flicks in general should appreciate the movie, including flicks like “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.”
The first half is very good as it concentrates on fleshing out the characters and throws in some unique stuff, but the second half sort of devolves into run-of-the-mill material. The producers should’ve studied the 1982 version of “Conan the Barbarian” to be sure to include creative and unforgettable bits.
It runs 1h 50m and was shot in Aug 2022 at Sofia, Bulgaria.
GRADE: B-
