King Solomon's Mines

Cannon Pictures, the symbol of excellence, not to be outdone by Indiana Jones just had to bring out Allan Quatermain.  Quatermain is an adventurer/explorer who is actually a character from the novel of the same name.  As Cannon had to keep up with the latest box office hits they revived this character and brought him back to the big screen in almost a parody of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

King Solomon's Mines also stars a very young Sharon Stone.  She plays a very very annoying character named Jesse Huston.  Her father was searching for King Solomon's Mines when he went missing.  he learns of, and hires Allan Quatermain (played marvelously by Richard Chamberlain} to help her find him.  Allan is assisted by his faithful sidekick Umbopo as they go after Jesse's father, who it turns out is being held prisoner by a Nazi, and a slave trader.  They have him as they are searching for the treasures of King Soloman.

Although panned when it premiered this film has developed a massive cult following, and for good reason.  When you watch it now years later you can see how good a film it actually is.  The action scene's are very well done.  From fighting off cannibals, the booby traps of the mines, volcano fights, and countless chase scenes, the film flows beautifully from beginning to end.

Sure the effects are rather cheesy but it adds to the beauty of the fact, that when push comes to shove this is a much more faithful adaptation of the classic serials than the Indian Jones films were.  Never does King Solomon's Mines take itself seriously.  You could watch it with your friends late at night and have a laugh riot.  Or you can take the way an old guy like me did and watch it with my son, who found it to be "corny, but pretty awesome"

The film, which has been out of print for sometime now has finally gotten a Blu-ray release from Olive Films.  The transfer, like all there works is fantastic, from the bright jungle scenes to the dark cavers on the mines everything popes in full 1080p.  The sound blasts out of the speakers and actually takes you back to a time when a movie was a big deal.

So if your a fan then of course this is a must own.  If you have only heard the legend pick it up. I can guarantee you will have fun with it.

Overall 3 out of 5 Stars!