In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (2007) Movie Review
Introduction
“In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale,” directed by Uwe Boll, is a 2007 action-fantasy film based on the popular Dungeon Siege video game series. Starring Jason Statham, Leelee Sobieski, John Rhys-Davies, and Ray Liotta, the movie presents a tale of heroism and adventure in a medieval fantasy world.
Plot Summary
The story follows a simple farmer, named Farmer (Jason Statham), who embarks on a perilous journey to rescue his kidnapped wife, Solana (Claire Forlani), and avenge the death of his son. The antagonist, Gallian (Ray Liotta), an evil sorcerer, commands an army of Krug—savage, animalistic warriors—aiming to overthrow the kingdom ruled by King Konreid (Burt Reynolds). Alongside his companions, including his friend Norick (Ron Perlman) and the mage Merick (John Rhys-Davies), Farmer battles numerous threats to restore peace to his land.
Performance and Direction
Jason Statham, known for his action roles, brings his typical stoic intensity to the character of Farmer. However, the film’s dialogue and direction often undermine his performance. Ray Liotta’s portrayal of the villainous Gallian is over-the-top, which detracts from the character’s menace. The ensemble cast, including Leelee Sobieski and Ron Perlman, struggle with the film’s weak script and lack of character development.
Uwe Boll’s direction has been widely criticized for its lack of coherence and quality. The film attempts to weave together elements of fantasy, action, and drama, but it often feels disjointed and poorly executed.
Visuals and Production
Despite its significant budget of $60 million, the film’s production values are inconsistent. While some battle scenes and special effects are visually impressive, others come across as lackluster and amateurish. The film was shot in picturesque locations in Canada, which adds some visual appeal, but this is often overshadowed by subpar CGI and costume design.
Reception
“In the Name of the King” received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics. It holds a dismal 4% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 2.7/10. Critics have pointed out the film’s wooden performances, laughable dialogue, and shoddy production values, making it a quintessential example of a poorly executed video game adaptation.
Streaming Availability
For those interested in watching “In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale,” it is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. It can also be rented or purchased on platforms like Google Play, YouTube, iTunes, and Vudu.
Conclusion
“In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale” is a film that fails to live up to its potential. Despite its promising cast and the rich source material of the Dungeon Siege video game series, the film is hampered by weak direction, poor dialogue, and inconsistent production values. While it may hold some appeal for fans of Jason Statham or fantasy action films, it is generally considered a disappointing and forgettable entry in the genre.
