Undead hordes make war on the world - servants of the terrible Lich King whose soul has been restored in the necromancer Szorlok. A cleric and a paladin struggle to build a resistance against the evil armies while their friends, a rogue and a mage, seek the legendary means that can end the destruction.
'Mythica: The Godslayer' marks the conclusion of an epic saga, the fifth film in a series originating in part through crowd-funding. The dire stakes and course of events that have been building from the beginning take their darkest turn yet - but the film-makers have endeavored greatly to make this finale as worthy as any story could be.
'Godslayer' strikes a tone immediately more grim, tragic, and desperate - especially compared to immediate predecessor 'The Iron Crown' - with an additional heavy dose of atmosphere pervading throughout. Whatever emotional beats the previous installments brought to bear, Number 5 holds nothing back and leans fully into realizing and resolving every story line, every heretofore unexplored scrap. Action scenes, no less entertaining, feel more intense both in their narrative heft and in their choreography.
As the gloom of Szorlok spreads, much color has been drained from the picture, and the excellent wardrobe and costume design reflects that shift with a generally darker, more muted palette. Other "behind the scenes" aspects of the production - filming locations, set pieces and decoration, hair, makeup, props - remain just as consistently marvelous, carefully crafted and attentive to detail. The special effects began in 'A quest for heroes' a step above what we expect from films outside the studio system, and have progressively improved from one movie to the next. Here they are most solid of all, appearing to these eyes to be as realistic and seamless as in any such genre feature. Once more: the film-makers worked hard to make 'Godslayer' the best it could be. I think it's paid off.
For what seems like the first time in the 'Mythica' series, the writers have striven to build a screenplay that largely allows for story beats to manifest, linger, and resolve on their own good time, with whatever nuance seems fitting. The quick pace and directness of the prior movies, that served to advance the plot with all due speed, hasn't been entirely vanquished - but it's significantly reduced to strengthen what this finale could be broadly, and to allow the cast the most room possible to explore their roles. For all the hard work of Anne K. Black, Jason Faller, and Kynan Griffin before now, Faller and Griffin have noticeably refined their skills here.
The chief cast, primary or supporting, flourish in the relative laxity the writing gives them here, embodying the greater depths and complexities of their characters as best they can. Melanie Stone once more shines as protagonist Marek, steadily bearing the weight of the mage's burden, purpose, and resolve - while also clearly reveling in the overacting that comes with throwing about magic. Jake Stormoen's major supporting role as rogue and love interest Dagen is more complete and well-rounded than before, as is Adam Johnson's part as fighter-turned-paladin Thane, and both illustrate that they're well able to bring out what subtleties they can in their portrayals. Nicola Posener is slightly less prominent in 'Godslayer' as cleric Teela, but she's still a strong anchor with considerable force of personality. And Matthew Mercer, having slowly gotten more screen time in each entry starting with 'Darkspore,' finally gets to play up every ounce of foreboding and ominous charisma as archivillain Szorlok, channeling the same sinister energy he brings to his antagonists in Critical Role.
Not to belabor the point, but I'm also pleased that 'Godslayer' sees the return of an element - largely absent from 'The Iron Crown' - that made the first three 'Mythica' movies all the richer. Those earlier installments, especially in their direct writing, felt very much like the realization on film of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. And here that aspect lends significant flavor to the narrative; it's hard not to draw comparisons. We see the visualization of TTRPG concepts including and certainly not limited to PvP, spell slots, saving throws, and upgraded weapons and armor. Characters are so advanced in their abilities and experience that one could well say this is a mirror of "epic level D&D" - appropriate for the plot that... well, just look at the title!
If I have any particular criticism to make, it's that some story beats plainly echo much more recognized fantasy epics. While the 'Mythica' series as a whole is a saga all its own, it's impossible to tell a 100% original story - yet even some shots and lines of dialogue outright recall moments from 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy or other antecedent tales. Even when the writing in this saga has faltered in some way, it looked and felt like 'Mythica,' and not anything else. It's a shame that in 'Godslayer' that inventiveness stumbles and pointedly mimes readily identifiable established works - going so far as to employ a questionable deus ex machina at the climax.
Still - whatever its flaws - 'Mythica,' as a series, is greatly entertaining. 'Godslayer,' specifically, represents the most concrete effort of all involved to craft an excellent fantasy film. It has its issues, yet the strengths far outnumber the weaknesses, and ultimately is deeply satisfying.
At risk of repeating myself: However good this is, however much one may enjoy it, there's no mistaking that it doesn't attain the same level as well-known fantasy classics of the cinematic pantheon. This isn't a journey to take for anyone who isn't receptive to films of any possible genre, production standard, or anticipated quality; if you're looking for Peter Jackson But Not - as much as I readily admit that I love 'Mythica' - this isn't it.
Yet for anyone willing to engage with the film honestly, and on its level - this is simply a blast. It's pure entertainment and good storytelling, warts and all. 'Mythica' is a grand saga worth checking out for anyone who can't get enough of fantasy, and 'The Godslayer' above all is a swell finale to bring the tale to a rewarding close.
Two "I'll watch almost anything" thumbs up!
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