Shocked, confounded, utterly amazed. Those were some of my reactions during this new trailer for IN THE NAME OF THE KING: A DUNGEON SIEGE TALE directed by Uwe Boll. I was hit with that barrage of emotions because while I knew this was a complete knockoff of LORD OF THE RINGS, I didn’t expect that some of it would actually look pretty decent, at least in terms of replicating some scenes from the epic trilogy almost exactly. (The “orcs” marching through the rain and some impressive aerial shots stand out.) I’m a Boll-basher as much as anyone else, so I’ll admit surprise that this frequently looks like the trailer for a real movie (it certainly looks better than ERAGON). I wondered if maybe Boll had hired a new D.P. but no, same guy (who’s most visually stunning accomplishment thus far in his career has been a completely black screen illuminated with occasional bursts of gunfire).
Of course, it’s telling that there’s absolutely no dialogue in it, so there’s no chance to experience the unique effect Boll’s directing style has on actors that turns them into stone-faced morons, but you get a few peeks at what’s sure to be a legendarily ridiculous performance from Ray Liotta (I smell Razzie!) Also there’s a few goofy peeks at Matthew Lillard and Burt Reynolds, Jason Statham seems to be doing that angry-looking Statham-thing he does so well, and we can hope Claire Forlani and Leelee Sobieski provide more than just reminders that they still exist (see below for a refresher course on Leelee).
Am I nuts or does some of this look OK? Please confirm my opinion or my lack or sanity below…
Did Leelee always have such… uh, personality?