Customer Reviews

Knights of Bloodsteel

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I thought this was a pretty good fantasy epic made on a minimal budget. You can not really compare this to LoTR because LoTR was made on a nine figure budget were KofB may have been made on a couple million, if that. I think it was nicely made on the budget it was given, and it is also nice to see a fantasy adventure in a television world ruled by reality television and CSI clones.

It's ok. It has a good story. It's watchable at least more than once.

The Syfy (or "genre syphilis") channel is like the girl with a curl on her forehead -- sometimes it's really really good, and sometimes it's horrid.

"Knights of Bloodsteel" is.... neither. While hardly a shining example of the fantasy genre, this fantasy miniseries isn't a SyFy weekend movie either. It's mostly all about good ideas that aren't fully developed and potential that is squandered -- not to mention acting that ranges from decent to mind-meltingly bad.

In the kingdom of Mirablis, a magical element called bloodsteel is considered essential, both to the vampire-elf/gobin/human alliance and to the villain Dragoneye. What is bloodsteel? Nobody knows! It's basically Applied Phlebotinum that does whatever the characters want. Anyway, bloodsteel is becoming rare, and the only way to get more is to find the Crucible from which it all comes.

An oracle predicts that four knights will arise to search for the crucible and save Mirablis from Dragoneye. And after a clash with Dragoneye's minions, the knights are revealed -- a cynical human drifter (David James Elliott), a reluctant goblin "vessel" (Dru Viergever), a roguish conman (Christopher Jacot), and a conflicted elf sorceress (Natassia Malthe). So they set out on a dangerous quest to get the Crucible.

I'll say this outright -- "Knights of Bloodsteel" is much better than most of Sci-Fi's usual original productions. It has an intriguing high fantasy world where elves, humans and goblins live in peace together, there's a genuine effort at fleshing out the characters (including the villain), the special effects are cheesy but not horrible, and the scenery is lovely.

Unfortunately, the execution is not so great. The main story is standard "Lord of the Rings"-style fantasy quest, but it's choked by half a dozen subplots that don't really add anything to the plot. What's the point of the deadly robot hand? Or the treacherous sorcerer? Or that annoying blonde chick? It feels like there's a lot going on here, but it all dissolves into a big confusing muddle.

Plus, there are a lot of things that just don't make sense -- for instance, a main character's sister dies tragically... and one scene later, he's in bed with a camp whore. And apparently you can heal a gaping hole in your midsection with.... "willpower." That's almost as lame as the power of friendship.

The acting is a mixed bag. Elliott is pretty solid as a scarred loner (although his Scottish accent slides all over the place), and Viergever gives a strong performance as a goblin haunted by his destiny. But Jacot is basically a 2-D "roguish thief" character, and watching Malthe try to act angry or heartbroken is just painful. She looks like she stepped on a tack.

And... Christopher Lloyd? What is he doing in a movie like this? I can only assume that since his house was destroyed in 2008, he needed the quick cash that playing a vampire-elf provided.

"Knights of Bloodsteel" isn't HORRIBLE, but it's certainly not good -- overloaded with subplots and a really bad lead actress. But if you turn off your brain, it's mildly amusing.

My answer to some of the other reviewers: is it a story that copied the Lord of the Rings, clearly the answer is yes. Yes a counsel is called that decided to form a fellowship which is needed to fight the source of great evil. The main member of this fellowship will give her life in the fulfillment of quest, though she does not do so in the end, she clearly is a Frodo type. Sir John is very much an Aragorn look alike. Is this a one for one copy of the Lord of the Rings? NO! It is a story in its own rights. Is the story influenced by J. R. R. Tolkien? Greatly. What modern fantasy is not? What modern Sci Fi is not influenced by Star Wars?

Was the Lord of the Rings influenced by other works, or did J. R. R. Tolkien work in a vacuum? The answer is J. R. R. Tolkien took his ideas for the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings from Die Nibelugen the story of Siegfried. In Tolkien own words The Hobbits were the English peoples. In the Hobbit Tolkien is saying Siegfried, i.e. the German people, killed the Dragon but it was due to the effort of the Hobbit, the English people. He carries this idea on into the Lord of the Rings, which is drawn from his experience in World War I and II. The point being, all stories stand on the back of other stories.

The question is, is this movie a good movie, i.e. worth watching. The answer is YES. It is well made, good story, the photo work is great, and good acting. Buy it, enjoy it.

Knights of Bloodsteel was another DVD I enjoyed starring David James Elliott. This one was full of adventure, fantasy, sword fighting, some sorcery. It was a fun show that even children would enjoy watching.

While I have to say the film is in no way a great epic; it does provide for an insteresting world that sadly didn't get explored. The world of Humans, Elves, and Goblins living together due to their dependence upon the substance of blood-steel drew me in (Perhaps its the gamer...more correctly game-master in me that likes to see a good setting with lots of background). Though Christopher Loyd does make for an odd choice as an elf!
Most of the goblin make up was pretty interesting, but the main villain (Dragon Eye)looks good right up until he speaks or moves. They could have done a lot better...it didn't need to be as over the top; it would have moved better on his face if they had toned it down a bit (or even just shaded it a bit better).
The plot is predictable; but I found it engaging.
Don't look for big-budget production values, but for the budget they had I feel they did well.

Great movie, loved the plot and action. A great story of good vs evil. The moves along from the begining to the end, holding the viewer.

If u love this style of movie, this one is for u. Great plot, good acting, just a very enjoyable movie.

This was an interesting movie with some unusual twists in its' characters. It was a little lacking in depth, but still enjoyable.

I got to see only the first-half of KOB, so I can't wait to finish the experience. I've already ordered the DVD. From the first-half of the movie, I'd have to say that this isn't far behind LOTR and other epic movies!