Screen One

Streaming For A New Generation

Review: Red Sonja 4K

Back in the 80s riding on the crest of a sword and sorcery wave, headed by the Austrian Oak Arnold Schwarzenegger who had made everyone sit up and pay attention with John Millius directing Conan The Barbarian. Following its success we had a barrage of these films, with everyone hoping to make a quick profit. Everything from Hawk The Slayer, Krull, Excalibur, The Beastmaster, The Sword And The Sorcerer and even a Conan sequel in the shape of Conan The Destroyer to name but a few. Then in the midst of all these was Red Sonja, a neat spin on the genre with a female warrior lead in the shape of Bridgette Nielsen (who was soon to be Mrs Sylvester Stallone).

Brigitte Nielsen (ROCKY IV, BEVERLY HILLS COP II) stars as the iconic, flame-haired heroine who sets out to avenge the death of her family after being granted extraordinary powers by a mysterious vision. On her way to find the tyrannical Queen Gedren, played by Sandahl Bergman (CONAN THE BARBARIAN), she meets Kalidor, Arnold Schwarzenegger (THE TERMINATOR, TOTAL RECALL), a powerful stranger from whom she refuses to accept help. The film features a score from the renowned, Academy Award-Winning® Ennio Morricone (THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY, THE UNTOUCHABLES).

Now after several years of nestling in fond memories, StudioCanal have seen fit to give us a 4k restoration of the kitsch classic. And what a transfer they have given us. Bright, bold and better than the original celluloid print master, this 4K Red Sonja is nothing short of incredible, with the picture really popping off the screen alongside Arnie and Bridgette’s muscles!

With the restoration complete, the film adds some new extras to the package including a documentary on Renato Casaro, who has been commissioned to create some new artwork for the project, which also looks incredible. Other than that, theres a couple of mini docs and the usual trailers, however the lack of a commentary track is a bit disappointing as it would have really added to the release.

Red Sonja itself while never a great of the genre still packs enough fun and silliness to make it worth owning once more, especially if you have a 4K TV or Projector to embrace its whole glory.

The Hyborian Age rules once again with this incredible 4K transfer and one that you should get your hands on at the first chance you get.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Red Sonja 4K is available now on Blu Ray, DVD, Digital and UHD Blu Ray

Leave a Reply