‘TUROK: SON OF STONE’: ROCK SOLID ’TOON

February 29, 2008 on 5:28 pm | In Uncategorized

BEFORE WE GET STARTED…
So you’re probably thinking, “What the hell’s up with that stupid title, Serwin?” Well, the purpose of my blog is to start some word of mouth on a cool comic, movie, TV show or whatever that I want to get the word out on, and hopefully turn some folks on to something that they wouldn’t have necessarily been reading or checking out otherwise. Could be something hot off the presses or straight out of a quarter bin, whatever; if I read it and like, I’m gonna tell YOU about it (like all six of you who might be reading this to start; thanks mom, dad, Nikki, Bobby, Beth and Grandma!).

In other words, I’m gonna be the biggest hype man in comics, and keep my vibe on the positive tip! Now, on with the show!

RECOMMENDATION OF THE WEEK: “TUROK: SON OF STONE” DVD

If there’s one thing I learned from the movies, it’s that anything can happen on a snow day.

So when a big snowstorm hit the Northeast last weekend, I took the opportunity to catch up on some DVD watching. I grabbed the review copy of the recently released “Turok: Son of Stone,” with no expectations other than a glowing review I’d read on AintItCool.com a while back and a thimble-full of knowledge about the character, a Native American variation on Conan that was once published by Acclaim and Valiant and spawn of a hit video game series.

However, one element of the DVD packaging caught my attention and prompted my investigation: “WARNING: CONTAINS GRAPHIC VIOLENCE.” That piqued my curiosity, and I had to learn what the producers meant by that bold proclamation.

I discovered in the first five minutes of the flick, when Turok beheads, dismembers, maims and kills five attacking enemies in a slow-mo ballet of manga-inspired mayhem, blood, gore and all. Then the drama turns psychological when Turok blindly lashes out in his bloodlust and nearly kills his brother, an act that forces Turok into exile. Years later, a conflict with a bigger tribe of enemies prompts Turok to return when his brother, now the chief, is killed in battle, forcing his wife and son to seek Turok’s aid and protection. Those three stumble into a sort of “savage land” populated by a lost tribe of their brethren—as well as man-eating dinosaurs, prehistoric birds of prey and deadly flora and fauna where every step could be your last. There’s plenty more subsequent “Braveheart”-type battles, all rendered in vivid shades of red and choreographed with Cirque du Soleil precision, as Turok attempts to lead his people and find his place in this new world.

“Turok” also displays some imagination-shredding imagery that’s a delight for any fanboy, such as a “Raiders of the Lost Ark”-inspired action sequence when Turok and company first encounter the dangers of their lost world (capped by an encounter with a man-eating leviathan), and massive battle sequences against bloodthirsty, nearly unkillable proto-humans that rouse the blood like the epic clashes of “Lord of the Rings.”

“Turok” hit on a lot of touchstones for me: It reminded me of “Thundarr the Barbarian,” if it starred a Native American-Viking-hybrid warrior who embarks on an epic Conan-like journey when he travels to strange lands populated with “Jurassic Park” nightmares. Then you’d have to amp up the energy to “Jonny Quest” levels, render and direct it in an anime-inspired style and create a world as lush and detailed as the nightmare realms of “Heavy Metal.”

“Turok’s” home run power should come as no surprise when you consider the creative lineup, including screenwriter Tony Bedard (one-time Turok writer/editor and current Birds of Prey scribe), directors Frank Squillace (“Juniper Lee”), Dan Riba and Curt Geda (“Justice League Unlimited”) and supervising producer Tad Stones (“Hellboy Animated”). Did we mention the high-powered executive producing by Michael Uslan (“Batman”)? Classic Media put together a top-notch team of talents for “Turok,” and that goes for the actors, too, especially Adam Beach (“Flags of our Fathers”) in the title role.

There’s a lot of much-deserved hoopla about “Justice League: New Frontier” hitting on DVD this week, so while you’re scarfing up your copy of that must-have animated flick, grab “Turok: Son of Stone” too. A cult-favorite in the making, its sophisticated story, fanboy flavor and adrenaline-fueled action make it a rock solid addition to your DVD collection.

Got something you think I should check out? Leave a comment on my blog! I’m always looking for a hot tip (and not in the dirty way that implies). Thanks!