Barbarian Queen II: The Empress Strikes Back (1989)

User Rating:

2.2/10   

Director:

Joe Finley

Writers:

Howard R. Cohen (writer)
Lance Smith (screenplay)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Plot:

In a final and epic battle in the thrilling sequel to the now classic "Barbarian Queen", Althalia, leads...

Plot Keywords:

Barbarian | Female Warrior | Sequel | Warrior Queen | Tortured To Death

Cast

Lana Clarkson	...	Princess Athalia
Greg Wrangler	...	Aurion
Rebecca Wood	...	Zarla
Elizabeth A. Jaeger	...	Noki (as Elizabeth Jaeger)
Roger Cudney	...	Hofrax
Alejandro Bracho	...	Ankaris
Cecilia Tijerina	...	Tamis
Orietta Aguilar	...	Erigena
Carolina Valero	...	Nalax
Monica Steeler	...	Ethbek
Carlos Romano	...	Peasant
Manuel Benítez	...	Captain
Antonio Zubiaga	...	King's Soldier
George Belanger	...	Noble 1
John Sterlini	...	Noble 2

Also Known As:

La reina barbara (Mexico)

Runtime:

80 min | Germany:79 min (cut version)

Country:

USA | Mexico

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:R | UK:18 (cut)

Filming Locations:

Mexico

Company:

Triana Films

Quotes:

Hofrax: [reporting to Ankaris on his sister Athelia's torture] She is strong my lord. But I am stronger.
Tamis: She is suffering very much.

Movie Connections:

Follows Barbarian Queen (1985)

The Difference Between 'Low Budget' and 'No Budget'.

Low-grade production values and only slightly better acting bring down an otherwise generic plot.

The bottom line: a 'magical' princess leads a group of women warriors and peasants against her evil brother who seeks to take the kingdom's throne after the death of their father.

As far as 'Fantasy' flicks go, there are three levels of production values. On the high end one has `The Lord of the Rings' trilogy. Below that one has `Conan the Destroyer'. And below *that* one has this movie. The production values here make `Xena: Warrior Princess' look like `Lord of the Rings'! They're horrible. The props look as though they came from the trunk of the local community theater. The weapons are especially laughable (and who know that one could be stabbed with a sword and not bleed!).

And the acting, well, the best thing that can be said about the acting is that the thespians involved took the dialogue seriously (though I can't imagine the humiliation one must feel to have been a part of the making of this travesty). If I were to have worked on this film I don't think that I could have ever looked anyone straight in the face again.

And to make matters worse, the movie tries to 'cater' to a certain demographic with gratuitous nudity. Even the sight of two bare-chested ladies fighting in mud is not enough to recommend this flick-that's just how poorly done it was. One has seen soft-core porn with better production values!

And for nominally being a 'fantasy' film, no actual 'magic' is ever really seen.

Everything about this movie is so poorly done one can't help but wonder *how* it ever got made. A film student and two chimps could have produced something better!

There is a difference between low budget and *no* budget! Avoid this film if you can, though viewing it won't do one any long term harm. It's just bad. Not 'laughably bad', just bad. I don't think even `Mystery Science Theater' could make this one look good!