The King Maker
Directed by: Lek Kitaparaporn Starring: Gary Stretch, John Rhys-Davies, Cindy Burbridge, Dom Hetrakul Synopsis: Fernando de Gamma (Stretch), a mercenary from Portugal heads to the Far East to seek his fortune. However before he can get there he is shipwrecked, and captured by Slavers. Arriving in Ayutthaya in the kingdom of Siam, he is rescued by a beautiful young woman called Maria, daughter of Philippe, whom Fernando instantly recognises from a dark episode of his childhood. Before he can act however, he and the rest of the Portugese are pressed into military service of the King. Fernando’s skill on the battlefield and thwarting of an assassination plot leads him and his new friend Tong into becoming the King’s personal bodyguards, but there are more challenges awaiting them. Review:This film is very entertaining, although not always for the right reasons. The dialogue is very stilted at times and the delivery makes me wonder if the whole film was re-recorded and post-synced. It is very jarring on the ears. The eyes however get something of a visual feast. The film is very well shot and the setting is breath-taking at times. The action throughout is very well put together and you’re always clear as to what is going on. Early on there is a big battle scene which is very colourful (the King evidently has mercenaries from all over working for him, so you have conquistadors fighting side-by-side with samurai warriors!). 
In the midst of this battle, Fernando saves the life of Tong, an axe-wielding warrior, who then pledges his allegiance to his saviour. The pair make a good double-act, and are soon thrown into action again when after the main battle they are attacked by stealthy raiders (not ninja – they come later). The King is confused – these guys are from the southern part of his kingdom and have no reason to attack him. Of course, we the audience know why. The queen, fed up about being treated as a concubine, is plotting his demise. She also takes a lover, a pretty boy peasant, and plans to have him placed on the throne instead. She also hires Philippe in her plot, which is probably how we end up with the King’s chambers being infiltrated by ninja. The film goes for the amped up comic-book ninja’s too, akin to the ones in Duel To The Death, with gravity-defying acrobatic skills and uncanny accuracy with throwing stars. The whole scene is excellent and exciting to watch. 
When the King orders Fernando to find out the people responsible, you might be forgiven for thinking he’s jumping to conclusions when he accuses Philippe and that his own agenda is clouding his vision. And Philippe never actually admits his culpability, although he gives Fernando closure on his past deeds.All this might have been riveting if not for the way the badly written dialogue is delivered. As it stands, the action is worth watching while the bits inbetween can be fast-forwarded through. Even the score is jarring. You begin to wonder if the right piece has been applied to the right scene. An example is what should have been an ominously quiet scene between the king and one of his servants, is given a hugely overwrought, bombastic theme. One of the opening action scenes, where Ferdinand initially escapes from the slavers, is worth pointing out. It becomes painfully obvious that Gary Stretch has been substituted by a stuntman for most of this scene, even in mid-shots, where you can see he’s been made-up to resemble him as best as they can – but the beard is a dead giveaway! Verdict: There is a lot to like here : the action, the cinematography – and a lot to wince at: the acting, the script. John Rhys-Davies, Dom Hekatrul and Gary Stretch all make the most of what they have and the ninjas certainly make things interesting. A pity about the rest. 5 out of 10 (MikeOutWest) New! CommentsHave your say about this! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
