Recent fantasy films?

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**Orlanth**

Cheesecat wrote:
How is Narnia not an honorable mention?

Same era and budget size as Lord of the Rings. Fantasy has become rather easy of late, which has not helped quality overall. Also Narnia is good but too well known already.

**Cannerus_The_Unbearable**

Wrath of the Dragon God also features the coolest Chaotic Evil Sorceror ever. I know we said no animated, but I really, really like Delgo. The dialogue is my biggest issue when it's trying to be funny, but I love the world they setup and it's the only pure CGI indy film to have a national release.

**Amaya**

If you're talking recent as in post 2000, GoT and LotR are it.

**DeathReaper**

Amaya wrote:If you're talking recent as in post 2000, GoT and LotR are it.

and do not forget Harry Potter, and Van Helsing, and The Underworld Films, and Hellboy 2 The Golden Army (Some great fight scenes here with an elf swordsman), and Crouching tiger, hidden dragon(one of the best sword fighting movies since 2001), and The Golden Compass, and Ella enchanted, and Tomb Raider(More of an action movie with fantasy themes), and The Mummy Returns (Or any in this series), and Brotherhood of the Wolf (More of an action adventure movie with fantasy themes), and Kung Fu Hustle, and The Medallion(Jackie Chan action movie with fantasy themes), and Enchanted, and The 10th Kingdom (Not a movie, but an awesome TV series), and the scorpion King,

and The Pirates of the Caribbean

CT GAMER wrote:Also, I guess the definition of "fantasy movie" has changed a bit as of late: pirate movies and master & Commander?!? WTF?

Regular pirate movies are not Fantasy.

But The Pirates of the Caribbean had a cursed ship where the whole crew were undead skeletons and were cursed until they returned the treasure, and the next three had a squid faced Davey Jones, a voodoo princess, a malestorm that swallows the ship, yet the ship survives, a fountain of youth and a score of mermaids.

This is a fantasy film, and not simply just a pirate (Historical) film.

**Platuan4th**

I did like the part in Wrath of the Dragon God where the Thief had to disarm something and told the party to look away because he had to do a secret Thieves Guild maneuver to do it(read: he pulled a hidden lever when they turned around).

**MeanGreenStompa**

Dragonslayer is an amazing film. I strongly recommend it to anyone who's not seen it yet. It's dragon effects are still very well done and hold up well against todays CGI.

**Eldanar**

Why not go to where all seekers of knowledge go: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fantasy_films

There is a lot of crap on there that is not really what I would charaterize as "Fantasy;" so you have to sift through it somewhat, but it is a fairly all-encompassing list.

**CT GAMER**

DeathReaper wrote:
Amaya wrote:If you're talking recent as in post 2000, GoT and LotR are it.

and do not forget Harry Potter, and Van Helsing, and The Underworld Films, and Hellboy 2 The Golden Army (Some great fight scenes here with an elf swordsman), and Crouching tiger, hidden dragon(one of the best sword fighting movies since 2001), and The Golden Compass, and Ella enchanted, and Tomb Raider(More of an action movie with fantasy themes), and The Mummy Returns (Or any in this series), and Brotherhood of the Wolf (More of an action adventure movie with fantasy themes), and Kung Fu Hustle, and The Medallion(Jackie Chan action movie with fantasy themes), and Enchanted, and The 10th Kingdom (Not a movie, but an awesome TV series), and the scorpion King,

and The Pirates of the Caribbean

CT GAMER wrote:Also, I guess the definition of "fantasy movie" has changed a bit as of late: pirate movies and master & Commander?!? WTF?

Regular pirate movies are not Fantasy.

But The Pirates of the Caribbean had a cursed ship where the whole crew were undead skeletons and were cursed until they returned the treasure, and the next three had a squid faced Davey Jones, a voodoo princess, a malestorm that swallows the ship, yet the ship survives, a fountain of youth and a score of mermaids.

This is a fantasy film, and not simply just a pirate film.

I guess I would make the distincton that when i think "fantasy" I am actually thinking " Eurocentric sword & Sorcery" as in typical D&D fodder...

**Frazzled**

sarpedons-right-hand wrote:Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief? It's not too bad and has some quality actors in it. Uma Thurman stands out as Medusa.....

Not bad at all.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

sarpedons-right-hand wrote:Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief? It's not too bad and has some quality actors in it. Uma Thurman stands out as Medusa.....

Not bad at all.

Also immortals is coming soon.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Orlanth wrote:Other than Lord of the Rings here are my top recommendations:

Conan the Barbarian 1980

Deserves mentioning again. First big fantasy production in the D&D era, there were others (see below). This one really sert the scene, Arnie was excellent supporting cast was excellent and the music was excellent. I actually rate this higher than Lord of the Rings which had advantages in budget and technology this little gem did not.
Do not bother with the sequel except as a one off. Red Sonja is essentially a second sequel and isn't bad.

Dragonslayer 1982

Don't be put off by the fact this was made by Disney. This is not a syrupy production, expect lots of deaths and some adult themes. Dragonslayer is the other big fantasy film of the D&D era, when 80's imagination exceeded the budgets and technology. This is a very good film, the dragon is exceptionally well done. You may be forgiven for thinking this was an early CGI work, it is not. All animatronics, but perhaps that is why it was good Disney did this, they know more about that type of work than anyone.
There are heroes and villains and maidens to rescue but fairy tale this is not. Dragon slayer presents you with a bodycount, and plenty of human shortcomings. In case you are wondering the hero shown is Peter MacNicol who normally plays wimpy nerds and was cast against type as a fantasy hero, even if a fairly nerdy one, IMHO he pulled it off.

Dungeons and Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God 2005

A sequal to the dire Dungeons and Dragons: the Movie, though with only one continuation character. You wont need to watch the first film to get this, in fact I recommend you don't. While the budget was a third of that of its predecessor yet it was placed in the hands of someone who had a far better idea of how to use it. Unlike the first film it actually depicted D&D properly with identifiable monsters character classes and adventurer mentalities, it even had a well placed and well thought through plot. It is a very good film in fact in the light of what it achieved and for how little. Some corners were cut, it gives the film a made-for-TV appearance, but those corners are forgivable because of the ambitious scale with which it was working and nothing really shakes its imagination. Highly recommended and a good example of a particularly rare bird: the sequel that eclipses the original.

Clash of the Titans 1981

Dont be fooled by the flashy remake, this one is the real deal. Well executed stop motion monsters are the order of the day; this film was from the time one had to work at being awesome rather than just sit back and let the programmers do all the work. Good acting though, Persues looks suitably out of his depth accounting for what he has to deal with and who is behind it. You never lose the feeling that Zeus couldn't just crush him like a bug at a moments notice.

Jason and the Argonauts 1963

More stop motion goodness, old school extra shaky movements. This is just enough plot focused to stay as a fantasy film rather than cross the line into a monster flick. Epic fun, but its not the huge monsters, even giant Talos but the humble skeletons that steal the show. Skeletons, scary. Yes, these ones are.

Willow 1988

Thinly disguised Tolkien homage, and all round good action movie with a good fantasy ploy. The decent effort from the tailing end of the D&D era, fantasy culture was moving on to other things but there was room still for carefully paced sword and sorcery romps, this one being by far the best of its time. It has some annoying supporting characters that aren't worth the time the film gives to them, but dont let that distract you.

Honourable mentions:

Beastmaster - not an especially good film, but notable for the animal sequences and it does have an above average plot.
Hawk the Slayer - way too cheesy to be a real classic
Sinbad the Sailor - likewise
Red Sonja - not a bad film, but not a patch on Conan the Barbarian
Krull - Has its moments, a very ambitious production.

Dragon slayer, Sinbad, Clash of the Titans. Some real half remembered gems there.

**Trondheim**

Well here are my tips for a good fantasy movie
1. Vallhalla rishing : Vikings, what mroe do you need?
2. Outlander : Good mvie, and a good take on the beowulf story
3. The new Conan film, witch was good but would have been better if he did not speak American English
4. LOTR
5. Pan`s Laberynt
6. The Hellboy movies

**Amaya**

DeathReaper wrote:
Amaya wrote:If you're talking recent as in post 2000, GoT and LotR are it.

and do not forget Harry Potter, and Van Helsing, and The Underworld Films, and Hellboy 2 The Golden Army (Some great fight scenes here with an elf swordsman), and Crouching tiger, hidden dragon(one of the best sword fighting movies since 2001), and The Golden Compass, and Ella enchanted, and Tomb Raider(More of an action movie with fantasy themes), and The Mummy Returns (Or any in this series), and Brotherhood of the Wolf (More of an action adventure movie with fantasy themes), and Kung Fu Hustle, and The Medallion(Jackie Chan action movie with fantasy themes), and Enchanted, and The 10th Kingdom (Not a movie, but an awesome TV series), and the scorpion King,

and The Pirates of the Caribbean

Harry Potter is pop crap. Underworld and Van Helsing are monster films, not horror. Hellboy 2 is a comic/monster/steampunk film.

**DeathReaper**

Just because you did not like Harry potter, does not mean it is crap.

As for Underworld and Van Helsing, when did I mention anything about them being a Horror film?

Also "monster films" is not a genre. Underworld can be classified as fantasy or action. Van Helsing can be classified as Action, Fantasy, or Adventure.

As for Hellboy 2, Comic is not a Genre, monster is not a Genre, steampunk is not a Genre. Hellboy 2 can be classified as Action, Fantasy, or Adventure.

**Amaya**

DeathReaper wrote:Just because you did not like Harry potter, does not mean it is crap.

As for Underworld and Van Helsing, when did I mention anything about them being a Horror film?

Also "monster films" is not a genre. Underworld can be classified as fantasy or action. Van Helsing can be classified as Action, Fantasy, or Adventure.

As for Hellboy 2, Comic is not a Genre, monster is not a Genre, steampunk is not a Genre. Hellboy 2 can be classified as Action, Fantasy, or Adventure.

I don't know why I even bother arguing with someone who thinks that the Harry Potter films are anything more than pulp gak.

It doesn't matter what genre the other films you mentioned are because they are NOT fantasy films. I don't know why so many films get lumped in that category. We're talking Sword and Sorcery, High Fantasy, not oh my god there are unrealistic elements in this film.

**Cheesecat**

Amaya wrote:
DeathReaper wrote:Just because you did not like Harry potter, does not mean it is crap.

As for Underworld and Van Helsing, when did I mention anything about them being a Horror film?

Also "monster films" is not a genre. Underworld can be classified as fantasy or action. Van Helsing can be classified as Action, Fantasy, or Adventure.

As for Hellboy 2, Comic is not a Genre, monster is not a Genre, steampunk is not a Genre. Hellboy 2 can be classified as Action, Fantasy, or Adventure.

I don't know why I even bother arguing with someone who thinks that the Harry Potter films are anything more than pulp gak.

It doesn't matter what genre the other films you mentioned are because they are NOT fantasy films. I don't know why so many films get lumped in that category. We're talking Sword and Sorcery, High Fantasy, not oh my god there are unrealistic elements in this film.

You know films can be several genres at once right?

**Easy E**

Two on NetFlix Instant right now that I have not watched are:

Ironclad

Black Death

**DeathReaper**

Amaya wrote:
I don't know why I even bother arguing with someone who thinks that the Harry Potter films are anything more than pulp gak.

It doesn't matter what genre the other films you mentioned are because they are NOT fantasy films. I don't know why so many films get lumped in that category. We're talking Sword and Sorcery, High Fantasy, not oh my god there are unrealistic elements in this film.

Harry potter was well made, good special effects, good Mise on Scene, the cinematography has some great elements to it.

And as Cheesecat said, films can fit into more than one genre.

**Amaya**

Cheesecat wrote:
Amaya wrote:
DeathReaper wrote:Just because you did not like Harry potter, does not mean it is crap.

As for Underworld and Van Helsing, when did I mention anything about them being a Horror film?

Also "monster films" is not a genre. Underworld can be classified as fantasy or action. Van Helsing can be classified as Action, Fantasy, or Adventure.

As for Hellboy 2, Comic is not a Genre, monster is not a Genre, steampunk is not a Genre. Hellboy 2 can be classified as Action, Fantasy, or Adventure.

I don't know why I even bother arguing with someone who thinks that the Harry Potter films are anything more than pulp gak.

It doesn't matter what genre the other films you mentioned are because they are NOT fantasy films. I don't know why so many films get lumped in that category. We're talking Sword and Sorcery, High Fantasy, not oh my god there are unrealistic elements in this film.

You know films can be several genres at once right?

You're going to jump on the Van Helsing and Underworld are fantasy films bandwagon as well?

lmao

**Cheesecat**

Amaya wrote:
Cheesecat wrote:
Amaya wrote:
DeathReaper wrote:Just because you did not like Harry potter, does not mean it is crap.

As for Underworld and Van Helsing, when did I mention anything about them being a Horror film?

Also "monster films" is not a genre. Underworld can be classified as fantasy or action. Van Helsing can be classified as Action, Fantasy, or Adventure.

As for Hellboy 2, Comic is not a Genre, monster is not a Genre, steampunk is not a Genre. Hellboy 2 can be classified as Action, Fantasy, or Adventure.

I don't know why I even bother arguing with someone who thinks that the Harry Potter films are anything more than pulp gak.

It doesn't matter what genre the other films you mentioned are because they are NOT fantasy films. I don't know why so many films get lumped in that category. We're talking Sword and Sorcery, High Fantasy, not oh my god there are unrealistic elements in this film.

You know films can be several genres at once right?

You're going to jump on the Van Helsing and Underworld are fantasy films bandwagon as well?

lmao

Don't know enough about them to say.

**Asherian Command**

Blade

does Pirates of the Caribbean count?

Muppets.....

how come troy isn't mentioned?

What is this?!?!??!?!

(O.O now we wait.)

**$pider**

Another vote for Willow, Game of Thrones(Adult only) and always The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Troy wasn't bad either.

Excalibur....my favorite seen ever was after Percival found the Grail and Arthur was revived. The Knights are mustered and ride through the field of Cherry trees while petals fall around them on their way to meet Mordred in battle. Awesome.

Original Clash of the Titans if your OK with the effects. The new one does not stand up to the original but it's OK on it's own.

Anyone mention Lady Hawk yet? I know it's old, but it was not half as bad as some the other flicks I have seen.

I saw Spartacus Blood and Sand mentioned. I will say that I watched the first season. If you watch it be wary that the sex and nudity are pretty explicit. Adults only on that one.

**vitki**

If you don't mind comedy fantasy, take a look at The Gamers and The Gamers: Dorkness Rising.

If you've ever played D&D, they are one of the funniest things I've seen. Pretty funny even if you haven't. Kind of like Her Highness without the masturbation and molestation jokes...

**Cannerus_The_Unbearable**

One thing about Wrath of the Dragon God; why the hell would anyone ever become a cleric of Obod-Hai instead of a Druid? Did they just miss their invite in the mail?

**DeathReaper**

Amaya wrote:You're going to jump on the Van Helsing and Underworld are fantasy films bandwagon as well?
lmao

Well Underworld is more of an action movie with fantasy themes.

and Van Helsing really isn't a fantasy film, It more of an Action/Adventure movie with some fantasy themes.

**Pacific**

Well, first of all thanks for this thread, and making me remember Willow so I will watch it again!

I have to say there are some pretty far stretches of what I would deem 'Fantasy' in this thread.
But, definitely it is the age of Super Heroes and mega budget sci-fi at the moment (with the exception of the stand-out Lord of the Rings), but perhaps things will swing around again in a few years.

Have to say, definitely a big thumbs up to the older Clash of the Titans and Jason and the Argonauts films. It shows how technology doesn't always make for better movie making, the stop-gap animation skeletons in Jason and the Argonauts are far more disconserting than the million dollar CGI screen-filling everythings in the new movie, and they were made 50 years ago.

You're going to jump on the Van Helsing and Underworld are fantasy films bandwagon as well?

The only thing that impressed me about Underworld, with the exception of the obvious Kate Beckinsale in leather pants, is how you manage to make a movie about vampires fighting werewolves boring. The first movie had the worst, most camp bad guy ever put to film, and I was slightly ashamed at Derek Jacoby sullying himself by appearing in the second movie (

), persumably it was one to pay the mortgage off?

Van Helsing: More of an advert for L'Oreal, Hugh Jackman with beautiful hair fights a series of uninspired CGI monsters.

It's funny that a genre that stems entirely from the imagination can produce movies that are so utterly bereft of it on occasion.