Review: King Solomon’s Mines Is No Indiana Jones But It’s A Good Time All The Same
- Jun 26, 2017
- 2 min read
An adaptation of the H. Rider Haggard novel, the 2004 iteration of King Solomon’s Mines is the sixth cinematic adaptation of the tale and it’s possibly the best. Starring Patrick Swayze and Alison Doody (Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade), it’s a fine adventure film by anyone’s count.
Hidden deep within Africa lie the mines of King Solomon. Said to contain the wealth of the Israelites and to be protected by a powerful force, they are considered to be a myth. But if they were indeed real, only one man could find them, Allan Quatermain (Patrick Swayze). An aging and tortured man, Africa runs through his veins, he knows its ups, its downs and everything else. But as skilled as he is, he isn’t the only one seeking the legendary treasures hidden away.
Despite being filmed as a two part TV movie, King Solomon’s Mines translates well into a contiguous film, even with a break for credits at the halfway point. It’s a 3 hour long epic with some great cinematography and an excellent soundtrack. Sweeping landscapes, various wildlife shots and an ethnic score run throughout, grounding both the film and its characters firmly within the dark continent. Combining both the real and the mystical, much like the Indiana Jones films, themselves inspired by this films source material, King Solomon’s Mines, though far more directly. Strange magic and witchcraft face off against firearms and knowledge in a most exciting manner.
Swayze is the perfect Quatermain, rugged and determined, and undeniably the best part of the film. He takes everything from action to drama in his stride. Amongst the rest of the cast, mostly unknowns, he stands out, though this isn’t to say the other actors are bad, simply not as good. There’s a great fight on a floor with spring loaded spikes, a number of solid shootouts and just all around entertaining action and adventure.
King Solomon’s Mine isn’t perfect. It slows down in the middle and it’s about 20 minutes longer than it needs to be but it’s good all the same. Swayze is great and when he and his crew are wandering about Africa seeking an ancient treasure, it’s hard not to have fun.
Comments