Deathstalker IV: Match of Titans (1990)

User Rating:

2.2/10   

Director:

Howard R. Cohen

Writer:

Howard R. Cohen (writer)

Release Date:

13 July 1991 (Japan)

Genre:

Action | Adventure

Tagline:

The Final Conflict

Plot:

It begins as a contest of strength the challenge of competition luring fighters from far away to a hilltop castle...

Plot Keywords:

Sequel | Nudity | Princess | Beefcake | Tournament

Cast

Rick Hill	...	Deathstalker
Maria Ford	...	Dionara
Brett Baxter Clark	...	Vaniat
Michelle Moffett	...	Kana
Anya Pencheva	...	Janeris
Djoko Rosic	...	Rakshia (as Jocko Rossitch)
Kosta Karageorgiev	...	Palon
Jenny Philipova	...	Tarinda
Rumen Dimitrov	...	Endoron
Mihaela Staikova	...	Lesia
Tanya Dimitrova	...	Liala (as Tania Dimitrova)
Sirma Nicolova	...	Tisia
Endrika Shehpazian	...	Terina
Velico Stomanov	...	Malikat
Stancho Stanchev	...	Aldilar

Also Known As:

Deathstalker IV
Deathstalker IV: The Darkest Hour

Runtime:

UK:75 min | USA:85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:R | UK:18

Filming Locations:

Bulgaria

Company:

Concorde-New Horizons

Movie Connections:

Follows Deathstalker II (1987) (V)

Somewhat uninspired....

Things get off to a decidedly poor start in this, the fourth entry in the Deathstalker series. During the very first scene I was immediately struck by two things: 1)The camera work looked as though it were achieved by strapping the camera to the rear end of a rodeo horse. and 2)Who ever is responsible for the bloody awful, tuneless and distracting 'music' accompanying this scene needs be executed.

On the latter point, words really just cannot describe just how atrocious the aimless, meandering sequence of seemingly random 'notes' are.

Luckily things suddenly look brighter when the original Deathstalker himself, Rick Hill turns up on the scene to save the day (he even performs his trademark 'wipe the blood from sword behind leg' move after he slays the bad guys, just like he did way back when he originally played the titular role) Interestingly, Ricks portrayal of the main character here carries far more humour than in his first appearance (no doubt the script in keeping with the comedic nature of the two previous sequels) Alas, this humour all but dries up save for a few scenes as the film progresses, which I felt was a real shame.

If there's one thing that everyone seems to agree on in the Deathstalker films, it is that the ladies present within them are universally stunning to behold. In this regard, the movie in question surpasses itself by casting the absolutely gorgeous Maria Ford as Deathstalker's love interest who also happens to be an incredibly feisty warrior!

It's such a pity that the rest of the film fails to have the same lustre. Whilst I've certainly watched far worse in my time, this movie overall just feels flat and uninspired and I can really only describe it as average at best. However, it IS great to see Rick Hill back in the title role and as previously mentioned, Maria Ford is truly stunning to behold, which is a real bonus!