Jason Stathamrarely steps out of his comfort zone, but despite what detractors might say, his approach has worked incredibly well for him. In 2024, he is still one ofthe world’s most bankable stars, and he is unlikely to slow down anytime soon. 99% of Statham’s movies involve him playing a man with a gun with fists as additional weapons. He also sticks to live-action, withGnomeo and Julietbeing his only foray into the animation space.
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale
In 2007, Statham made a surprise move by venturing into the action-fantasy genre and embracing the rustic side of moviemaking viaIn the Name of the King. Directed by Uwe Boll (his most expensive production) and inspired by the Dungeon Siege video game series, the film is an all-star affair, consisting of the likes of Burt Reynolds, John Rhys-Davies (best known for playing the Egyptian excavator Sallah in theIndiana Jonesfranchise and the Dwarf, Gimli, inThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy), Ron Perlman and Ray Liotta.
Neglected in its day, this action-packed epic film deserves a rehabilitated reputation. The bright-light cinematography is exquisite, the period particulars are obsessively spot-on, and the entire motion picture has the feel of a color-saturated 17th-century canvas. Above all, it is perfect forGame of Thronesfans.
They Messed with His Family…. They Gotta Pay
Most Jason Statham moviesrely on the theme of revenge, andIn the Name of the Kingis no different,featuring a spunky village underdog you’re able to’t help but root for. The filmrevolves around an agrarian-minded family man simply known as Farmer (Statham).Once an orphan, Farmer was adopted by the village folk and grew to become one of the most respected members of society.
One day, Farmer’s wife, Solana (Claire Forlani), and son head to the small town of Stonebridge to sell vegetables and while they are away, the farm is attacked by creatures called Krug. Farmer manages to fight off the Krug with the help of his buddy and mentor, Norrick (Ron Perlman), before rushing to Stonebridge to try and save his wife. However, he is unsuccessful. The Krug kill his son and kidnap his wife. Furious and beaming with despair, Farmergoes on a mission to not only rescue his wife but also restore security and peace to the land he loves.“I will have my vengeance,” he declares, and we don’t doubt him for a second.
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It’s later revealed that The Krugare being controlled by the sardonic sorcererGallian(Ray Liotta),who has always taken great delight in ruffling the villagers.He is secretly building an army to overthrow King Konreid (Burt Reynolds), with the help of the King’s jealous, unstable, nefarious nephew, Duke Fallow (Matthew Lillard), who has fully succumbed to the dark allure of the sorcerer’s practices. How far will they go? Well, this is a Jason Statham movie, so there is no chance of villains living happily ever after.
The Krug are the “White Walkers” in This Tale
Game of Thronesexcels because of many elements, among them the cinematography.The show’s visual thrills come from how the directors combine old-fashioned battle scenarios and indoor interactions with futuristic fantasy elements. Well, InThe Name of the Kingoffers the exact delights through practical effects and location shooting.
Shot in the Municipality of Sooke, and the westernmost area of Greater Victoria, this gorgeous film pays tribute to the magic and wonderment of its era while spinning a bittersweet wartime story about love, friendship, and enduring disappointment. Boll alsorecruited First Nations members as extras, so even the costumes feel authentic.
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Circling back toGame of Thrones, there are the White Walkers. The humanoid creatures from the show and George R.R. Martin’s bookswere created thousands of years ago by the Children of the Forest(a mysterious non-human race who were reportedly the original inhabitants of the continent of Westeros).Led by the Night King, the White Walkers are extremely antagonistic towards humans, and are keen on plunging the world into endless winter. The Krug fromIn the Name of the Kingaren’t different. They constantly prove to be a nuisance to humans and fighting them is quite a challenge. Like the White Walkers,they also have a leader (Gallian).
Most importantly,the film’s plot is basically a “game of thrones.”Duke Fallow craves power, and he is willing to do anything to ensure he gets his uncle’s position. Gallian shares Fallow’s hunger power and enjoys using magic to achieve his objective. These characters don’t possess the same level of cunning seen in Tywin Lannister and Littlefinger, but they are equally fascinating. Beyond that, audiences are treated to plenty of brutal killings throughout the movie (one villain’s throat is slit by the protagonist).
‘In the Name of the King’ Plays to Statham’s Strengths
Game of Thronesfans should lower their expectations while watchingIn The Name of the Kingbecausethe plot and dialogue aren’t as perfect as they are in the HBO series. While not much groundbreaking stuff happens in the movie, the portrait of these noble people fighting for what they love is as intriguing and mesmerizing as any plot-rich production.
An understated gem, brimming with warmth and overflowing with humanity,the film still works by leaning on Jason Statham’s preference: action. There’s endless chaos, so the British actor finds comfort in this rarefied milieu. Right from the first minute, Uwe Boll wastes no time in getting into the fighting, and he keeps his foot on the pedal all through the 127-minute running time.
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Less charming and a bit more cold-blooded than he normally is in his modern-themed films, Statham remains a model of cheekiness and confidence in this exceedingly fast-paced actioner.
Besides that,audiences will appreciate the film for not being a total one-man-army show. Ron Perlman, Ray Liotta, Burt Reynolds, and John Rhys Davies appear to have signed on after being promised plenty of action. Their characters all aid, or derail Farmer in multiple ways. Even the lesser-known actors like Kristanna Loken (best known for her leading role inTerminator 3), Matthew Lillard, and Claire Forlani (fromMeet Joe Black), get ample time to shine. Watch it for the battles, the magic, and the performances.
In the Name of the Kingis available to buy or rent on Amazon in the US or to stream on Apple TV+
