Top 10 Fantasy Films from the 80's

So I checked out Avatar over the holidays. Overall I think it was a great movie. I give it an A+ for visuals and a C+B- for the story. Then there were all the cool trailers like Legion and the Clash of the Titans remake etc.. These are the type of fantasy action movies that made me excited as a kid. Then I saw this trailer for this movie called Prince of Persia. This time it’s a story about a dagger possessing powers and whoever wields it can rule the world yada yada yada. Ok same story different day. I guess this ish never gets old. So it made me wonder what are the greatest fantasy films to ever come out? Then I realized that the 1980’s produced perhaps some of the greatest fantasy films we will ever know. Ok lets set aside Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy and just focus on the 80’s. So here it is folks Mike Booty’s top 10 Fantasy films from the 80’s.

#10 Beastmaster 1982 – this was the poor man’s Conan but this dude was born with the special power of talking to animals. I think what made this movie worth a peep was Tanya Roberts and she was bangin back in the 80’s. Also, the unforgettable moments with John Amos aka the Dad in Goodtimes who later became famous for his roll as Cleo MCDowell in Coming to America. All jokes aside, this movie had its moments.

#9 Krull 1983 – This was the Avatar of its time as far as big budget spending goes. However, this movie flopped in the box office. This was a fantasy meets science fiction twist. Alien devil-like invader comes to the planet Krull to take over. Only one thing that can save them, the marriage and love of the prince and princess and the legendary weapon called the Glave. The only really cool thing about this movie was the Glave weapon. This movie was cool when I was a kid but when revisited what cheese!

#8 Willow 1988 – Based on a story written by George Lucas and directed by Ron Howard. Not a bad movie starring Val Kilmer as Madmartigan. In a nutshell the kingdom is ruled by an evil queen. The prophecy says a baby will defeat her. Baby is born and is set a drift in a river, sound familiar? Baby is found by the little guy Willow and he meets Madmartigan and together they save the world.

#7 Ladyhawke 1985 - starring Michelle Pfiefer, Ruger Hauer and a pre-Ferris Buellers Day off Matthew Broderick. A total new twist here. 2 lovers cursed into turning into animals in the day and night so they are incapable of seeing one another. This movie actually had a good story with good fight scenes.

#6 Sword and the Sorcerer 1982 – This is an over the top bloody fantasy film about a young boy who is the heir and you guessed it his parent’s were killed by the evil king. Another movie where the main weapon rocks! This movie is a cult classic.

#5 Highlander 1986 – Starring Sean Connery and Christopher Lambert. This movie started a series of sequels that all sucked. It also started a wack TV series. However, the original movie about an immortal the Scotsman Conner Macleod and his story though 500 years of history and his fight to become the supreme immortal is off the hook. Not to mention his unforgettable arch nemesis the Kurgan. “There can only be one!”

#4 Dragonslayer 1981 – Nothing new here. A fire breathing dragon threatens the countryside and a hero emerges to save them. Aside from that this movie was well made with good special effects and a realistic feel. This might be the best dragon movie ever made.

#3 Clash of the Titans 1981 –This was Ray Harryhausen’s last film. Ray is a legend and famous for the effects in the Sinbad series from the 60’s and 70’s. This movie had that old school flavor that will remain timeless. This is definitely a fantasy classic that I never grow tired of. Release the Craken!

#2 Conan the Barbarian 1982- Long ago before Arnold Schwarzenegger became our Governor and before he was sent back in time to kill Sara Conner there lived Conan. A barbarian on a path for revenge to kill James Earl Jones aka Thulsa Doom for murdering his parents for no apparent reason. Conan was a simple man who worshiped his God Crom, got drunk, and macked on blond barbarian hinas. What more can you ask for.

#1 drum roll please….Excalibur 1981- This is by far the best of the best as far as Arthurian legend storylines go. One has to realize that most fantasy/action story lines stem or extract from the Arthurian legend. A young boy separated from his parents destined to be the king, savior, the chosen one, etc.. who will bring all balance and good to things. An older mentor teaching the student the ways of being a warrior etc.. The sword or weapon inherited by the student. Hmmm can you name another movie with a similar storyline.. Yup! If you haven’t seen this movie than you’ve been sleeping dunny a true Masterpiece.