Conan The Barbarian: Critic Reviews

Conan the Barbarian is an extremely long, frequently incoherent, ineptly staged adventure-fantasy set in a prehistoric past.

Not since Bambi's mother was killed has there been a cannier movie for kids than Conan the Barbarian.

Even 17 years after its release, Conan the Barbarian still weaves a spell capable of ensorcelling fans of fantasy adventure.

Visualizing Robert E. Howard's creation in the midst of the Reagan era is an offer the auteur can't refuse

OK sandals and loin cloth muscle adventure...which made Arnold a star.

Balls-to-the-wall swordplay flicks don't get much better than this

A big, sweaty, pulpy adventure tale that's both exciting AND unintentionally amusing.

When it comes to the great lines (and mottos) of cinema, it doesn't get much better than this.

Let's face it: Arnold is well-cast. But the movie takes itself way too seriously.

Too dull to be unintentionally funny.

Arnold's first real movie (not counting Hercules and The Villain). Very serious, needs more humor, but a good debut.

Muddy and serious, but refreshing compared to other comic book movies.

Schwarzenegger has probably never been better-cast.

John Milius is skilled at allowing his story to unfold as though you were reading a pulp novel, never letting you get bored. He always throws something at you that's reminiscent of the best in fantasy novels.

A stirringly grandiose music-video epic

Conan the Barbarian by John Millius is...one of the top ten motion pictures ever made.