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The characters were very distinctive, probably my favorite part of the movie..especially Arnie's sidekick (I forget his name)..simple but very effectivethe supporting guys here were understated, well cast and likable.

They were a motley crew, yet like you have mentioned, likeable and they all had a good chemistry with each other. Tracey Walter, is the actors name who played Malak. He was a total contrast to Conan physique wise, yet I think they shared a similar intellect and wit and made a bond\friendship, based on that.
This is what I enjoy about these 2 Conan films, the friendships and bonds that were made and shows how connections are important. All the protagonists had something useful to contribute to their little community and they looked out for each other. It is the warm 'simplicity' of this theme, that helps make it all work.
Red Dawn as well. That was some year for movies.

'Red Dawn', was released a couple of weeks after Destroyer. Interesting, as this was the first cinematic release with a PG13 rating, that Destroyer escaped and rightfully deserved. If 'Conan The Destroyer' had been given this rating, then this might have helped the box office, as it would then have been touted as the first PG13 released. I wonder if this would have then affected the returns on RD?
You are correct, 84' was a good year for films. Most of the 80's were.

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seemed everyone made this film out to be some kind of babyish joke so I avoided itpleasantly surprised. I swear people hate on stuff just because of its rating or because of less violence.

I have to admit, that I was sceptical due to the US 'PG' rating; but the overall end result was appealing, so I needn't have worried. It delivered the goods in the sword and sorcery action department and it still contained 'some' graphic violence; but of a fantastical and lightweight nature, compared to it's more intense predecessor. It was released about 6 months before the inception of PG13, so it would have likely garnered this rating, if it was around at the time.
It all worked marvellously and the film was well cast. I love watching it, just to see the bizarre and wonderful, feline sexy Grace Jones. The Dagoth creature, was awesome and scary too.
Destroyer, was released hot off the heels of, Ghostbusters, Gremlins, Karate Kid, Star Trek III and opened with the release of Tom Hank's popularat the timeBachelor Party. It may not have held the same appeal of the other films mentioned and got lost in the shuffle. It did recoup it production cost of $18mill though and then some. Barbarian, was popular, but not exactly a huge smash either.

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Those are the qualities which surprised me on watching this for the first time recently, especially having grown up on Barbarian.

May I ask why you have only recently seen it, since you grew up on Barbarian? I couldn't wait to see this one, after being impressed with Barbarian, when it first came out.

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I certainly think this movie is underrated and a cool adventure yarn. Has a classical look to it.

It manages to capture a mythical and magical ambience\atmosphere and does so, without any pre-tense or conceited aspirations. It appears to have been made with a positive spirit and sense of fun.in other words, it's heart and intentions, were in the right place.

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They are on different levels and both enjoyable for this reason. Destroyer, is the easier, breezier view, whereas Barbarian, is the more epic and and austere production. Depends on what I am in the mood for.

I think the Barbarian is a much better movie. Destroyer is a totally different movie, it feels more like "Hawk the Slayer" than "Conan the Barbarian"

Barbarian is by far the better movie, despite its obvious shortcomings. It has actual emotional and lyrical depth while Destroyer is just a mindless action flick.
"Oh, what have I drunk?"

• Socrates

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I can write off CtD as dumb fun. I prefer the darker tone of CtB. Hell, CtBs
score
is better than
all
of CtD.

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I like both films, but i prefer by far "Conan The Barbarian"
Prostitute: What the beep are you doing?
Johnny: I'm gonna kill a bunch of people.

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Have watched the original conan several times but this pile of steaming fertilizer will only assault my retinas once in my life. A gigantic let-down from the first film.
Roy 72.

I tend to think of Barbarian as being several cuts above the best in its genre, Destroyer's about on par with some of the better ones and it's pretty entertaining. There are some bad sword and sorcery films, Destroyer is far from the worst. I do like that it just goes right into a Conan adventure, whereas Barbarian has an (albeit great) origin that takes up a long time.
The fact the story was co-written by Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway, two of my favourite comics writers, probably helps, as does the presence of super-sexy Sarah Douglas.
Reason is a pursuit, not a conclusion.