Search - Deathstalker 4 on DVD

Craig S. (InnerMacro) from WAUSAU, WI
Reviewed on 4/16/2023...

Deathstalker 4 is probably best described as a 're-interpretation' of the first Deathstalker film. For those who have seen the first film, it seems like it will be a cheap rip-off because it uses film segments from the first movie and follows the same basic plot of a fighting tournament. Surprisingly, the re-use of these scenes take the "best" parts of a really bad movie and put them to better use in this one. Even Rick Hill does a much better job at acting (I think I detected him trying to use an accent in a few scenes!), and his swordplay is way better than in the original - he even uses his own hair this time. There are still a fair number of story holes - like one where Deathstalker is trapped by a cave-in while his antagonist yells 'You'll never get out alive!' . . . only to see Deathstalker riding along outside in the very next scene with no explanation as to how he escaped! The dialogue is also campy, but sometimes can elicit a chuckle. Number IV is probably the best of the four movies - Deathstalker III cast a charismatic lead, but that film is just too boring and poorly supported that even a good leading actor can't save it. #4 balances the story with the right amount of humor (#2 is mostly 'comedy', but the jokes are not particularly funny).
So, if you want to try a Deathstalker film, I'd recommend this one to start since it is just a better version of Deathstalker 1, especially since the few good action scenes from the first will contained in this one. If you do like it, then jump to Deathstalker 2. Only the truly committed need to seek out #3.

A sorry excuse

04/10/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Okay this is sadly the worst in the series. They brag that Rick Hill is back because he is the original Deathstalker yet when you watch it you realise that its a way to save money buy littering the whole movie with clips from part 1 and a few from part 3. Some people like the firts movie best, some the 2nd and some the 3rd but nobody the 4th. I will say this however. Finaly the picture that Boris Vallejo drew for the movie is a seen in the movie(with the exception that Rick Hill has blonde hair). But if your a fan and you have to see it whynot. Okay I admit it is nice to see the original (almost evil himself) Deathstalker return to kill more wizards. Also there is a cool picture on the back of the box of a stone-man getting his head split open wich isn't in the movie."

Badly good

K. L. Fleming | Florida | 06/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I got this movie because I have been a fan of Rick Hill since before his B movie days. I saw DS1 and thought it was a typical silly B movie, but this one is much better. The acting is better and it doesn't take itself seriously (as in, in addition to being unintentionally funny, it has some real humor). Yeah, I'm biased because I'd watch Rick watch paint dry. But if you like this kind of sword and sorcery with scantily clad chicks in it, (and some hot guys too), it's a lot of fun."