Kröd Mandoon and The Flaming Sword of Fire: Special BBC Edition (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

Hilarious, sexy, fun and idiotic! If you are a fan of fantasy adventure TV series or film and also enjoy comedy with mature humor, “Kröd Mandoon and The Flaming Sword of Fire: Special BBC Edition” is a fun and crazy DVD release worth checking out!

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DVD TITLE: Kröd Mandoon and The Flaming Sword of Fire: Special BBC Edition

DURATION: 6 Episodes (162 Minutes)

DVD INFORMATION: Widescreen, Dolby Digital

COMPANY: Comedy Central/Paramount

RATED: NOT RATED (Parental Advisory: Explicit Content.  Warning this Program is Recommended for Mature Audiences Only.  It Contains Adult Language and Situations)

RELEASE DATE: March 23, 2010

Created by Peter Knight

Directed by Alex Hardcastle

Written by Peter Knight and Brad Johnson

Producer: Mario Stylianides

Co-Produer: Katy McCaffrey

Line Producer: Donna Molloy

Music by Mark Thomas

Cinematography by Rob Kitzmann

Edited by Thomas M. Bolger, Liana Del Giudice, Simn Reglar

Casting by Nicole Abellera, Sarah Crowe, Zsolt Csutak, Jeanne McCarthy

Production Design by Grenville Horner

Art Direction: Csaba Stork

Set Decoration by Zoltan Horvath

Costume Design by Alexandra Caulfield

Featuring the voices of:

Sean Maguire as Krod Mandoon

Matt Lucas as Chancellor

Kevin Hart as Zezelryck

India de Beaufort as Aneka

Steve Speirs as Loquasto

Marques Ray as Bruce

Alex Macqueen as Barnabus

James Murray as Ralph Longshaft

Remie Purtill-Clarke as Cute girl

John Rhus-Davies as Grimshank

Krod Mandoon and The Flaming Sword of Fire, Comedy Central’s first foray into the action-adventure fantasy realm, chronicles the deeds of the brave but emotionally insecure Krod and his ineffectual band of freedom fighters—Aneka, the lovely warrioress who uses her beauty (and body) to get she wants; Zezelryck, the sorcerer who’s more mouth than magic; Loquasto, Krod’s dim-witted (and poorly-shooting) servant; and Bruce, known more for his extravagant outfits than his prowess in battle—in their struggle against the evil Chancellor Dongalor (Matt Lucas, Little Britain USA).

With the popularity of shows such as “Xena”, “Legend of the Seeker”, “Merlin” and movies such as the “Lord of the Rings”, what if there was a comedy version based on those type of shows?

Well, a British/American comedy titled “Kröd Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire” was created by Peter A. Knight and mature humor inspired by “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”, “Get Smart” and “The Simpsons”.

The name which is is derived from a nickname of a kid that was picked on back in Peter’s childhood (the name backwards is “dork”), “Kröd Mandoon and the Flaming Sword” is filmed in Budapest and six episodes were aired on Comedy Central and now the uncensored BBC version is featured on DVD and will be released on March 23rd.

“Kröd Mandoon and the Flaming Sword” is about a rag tag band of freedom fighters who are literally inept but somehow managed to get the job done.  The main characters of the series are:

The Freedom Fighters

Krod Mandoon (played by Sean Maguire, “The Class”, “Eve”, “Off Centre”) – The leader of the group of freedom fighters who has a powerful sword that has the ability to bursts into flame whenever Krod is in battle.  Is believed by General Arcadius to be “The Golden One” as written in prophecy.

Aneka (played by India de Beaufort, “One Tree Hill”, “The Basil Brush Show”) – Kröd’s girlfriend who is a pagan warrioress who uses her sex as a weapon.  But because Kröd is unable to deal with her openness with her sexuality, she breaks up with him.

Zezelryck (played by Kevin Hart, “Drillbit Taylor”, “Epic Movie”, “Scary Movie 4″) – A young warlock who seems like he doesn’t know how to use his magical spells at first.

Loquasto (played by Steve Spiers, “No Heroics”, “City of Vice”) – A servant/slave of Kröd who is a member of the pig-like race known as the Grobble.  Uses a crossbow as his weapon but doesn’t know how to use it accurately and ends up hurting Krod.  Despite his inability with a weapon, he has a strong smell and taste.

Bruce (played by Marques Ray, “Nick Cannon Presents: Short Circuitz) – The flamboyant gay man and lover of Mandoon’s late mentor General Acadius.

General Arcadus (played by Roger Allam) – Mandoo’s late mentor and lover of Bruce.  Appears in spirit form to help Kröd Mandoon.

The Antagonists

Chancellor Donold David Dongalor (played by Matt Lucas) – The Sociopathic Chancellor.  He and Kröd trained as warriors and both developed a rivalry towards each other.  He kills people who try to get in his way or anyone who annoys him.

Barnabus (played by Alex MacQueen) – The right-hand man of the Chancellor.  He is the voice of logic for Dongalor.

“Kröd Mandoon and The Flaming Sword of Fire: Special BBC Edition” contains the first five episodes of the TV series extended and uncensored.  It’s important to note that the second episode “Golden Powers” is combined with the first episode, thus the first episode on the DVD is 54 minutes instead of 28 minutes.

Here is a brief synopsis of each episode:

• EPISODE 1 – Wench Trouble – Kröd and friends try to save General Arcadius, his mentor and leader of the resistance against the evil Xanusian Empire.  Krod learns from Arcadius that he is “The Golden One”.
• EPISODE 2 – Our Bounties, Ourselves – Chancellor Dongalor puts up a bounty on Kröd and his gang’s heads.  Thus the group must fend off bounty hunters.
• EPISODE 3 – O Biclops, Where Are Thou? Kröd is nominated to an Elite Resistance Council but he first must get a precious gem away from a deadly cyclops.
• EPISODE 4 – Succubi: The Dawn’s Early Light – Kröd is given a mission by Ralph’s warlock Grimshank to light a beacon that will alert resistance leaders that Dongalor is planning to activate the eye.
• EPISODE 5 – The Thrilla in the Villa – Kröd and the gang sneak into Ralph’s palace when they think Grimshank is working for Dongalor.  Meanwhile, Dongalor plans to unleash the Eye of Gulma Grymna.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Kröd Mandoon and The Flaming Sword of Fire: Special BBC Edition” is presented in widescreen.  The series is primarily shot outdoors and benefits from the outdoor lighting.  Location shots in Hungary are absolutely beautiful and costume and production design are well-done for the series.

Audio is presented in Dolby Digital English stereo.  Dialogue is clear and understandable.

Subtitles are in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Kröd Mandoon and The Flaming Sword of Fire: Special BBC Edition” features the following special features:

• Behind the Scenes with Kevin Hart – (4:35) Kevin Hart gives us a hilarious behind-the-scenes look at the making of “Kröd Mandoon and The Flaming Sword of Fire” from costume and set design and more.
• Cast Interviews – (10:45) The cast talk about their characters in relation to the series and their feelings of playing the character.
• Outtakes – (7:22) Bloopers from “Kröd Mandoon and The Flaming Sword of Fire”.
• Alternate Opening Sequence – (2:22) An alternate opening that introduces the freedom fighters.
• Deleted Scenes – (3:52) A total of five deleted scenes.
• Extended Scenes – (8:20) A total of nine extended scenes.
• Hunt the Hungarian – If this is turned on, if one presses enter on their remote at the right time during an episode, you can access easter egg screen test footage.

“Kröd Mandoon and The Flaming Sword of Fire: Special BBC Edition” is a hilarious series and contains the sexual humor that you would expect from a Comedy Central driven series.

Granted, the humor of the series will be a positive and negative depending on the viewer.  For those who love TV series such as “Merlin”, “Legend of the Seeker” or “Xena” and those who enjoy the dramatic elements and action sequences as well,  may not find those deep moments in “Kröd Mandoon and The Flaming Sword of Fire: Special BBC Edition”.  Especially as the main dramatic element is probably Kröd worried about how many men Aneka has slept with, her sexual tactics and how many cartwheels she does while not wearing underwear.  But the series manages to have some fun during the action sequences as the gang of freedom fighters are often in danger’s way.

There is plenty of humor but to some, the gags may seem offensive to some.  There is a controversy with the character of Bruce as the gay community found the flamboyant gay character as offensive.  Series creator Sean Maguire said the producers expected a backlash when it comes to a stereotypical character.  So, it depends on the viewer and how sensitive they are to the jokes.

Overall, “Kröd Mandoon and The Flaming Sword of Fire” is a naughty and humorous series.

It’s quite interesting to have a fantasy series with the main character to be quite inept and the majority of the gang being useless to near idiotic but somehow they manage to get the job done.  In someway, one can see the inspiration from a series such as “Get Smart” and “Monty Python’s Holy Grail” in this series.  But what it all comes down to is one’s sense of humor.

For those wondering about the sexual part of the series, there is no nudity or any obscene language in this television series but there is simulated sex featured especially in the fourth episode of this DVD.   If anything, the series definitely utilizes the beautiful India de Beaufort throughout the series.  Her character of Aneka is a sexual pagan who loves sex and uses it as a weapon.  Despite her love for Kröd, it’s part of her nature and her tradition.  And thus the sexual humor in the series.  So, probably not a series you want to watch around the children.

Personally, I found “Kröd Mandoon and The Flaming Sword of Fire” to be a fun, humorous series that never gets too serious.   And for me, it was good to see something this crazy and different for a change for Comedy Central.

I don’t know where the future is for “Kröd Mandoon and The Flaming Sword of Fire” or if there will be any more episodes but for the most part, if you enjoy fantasy adventure series and mature humor, definitely give “Kröd Mandoon and The Flaming Sword of Fire: Special BBC Edition” a chance!

SUPERHERO MOVIE (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

“When you see the ‘from the guys who brought you SCARY MOVIE and THE NAKED GUN, you pretty much know what kind of film you’re going to get.  So, it’s all about watching these movies with an open mind.  Fortunately, among the similar-related movies by these creators, ‘SUPERHERO MOVIE’ is probably the most entertaining of the lot.”

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FILM:  SUPERHERO MOVIE

COMPANY: DIMENSION HOME ENTERTAINMENT

DVD INFORMATION: Color, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC

RATED: PG 13

DURATION: 82 minutes

PRODUCED BY Robert K. Weiss, David Zucker, Craig Mazin

WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY Craig Mazin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein and Mathew Stein

STARRING: Drake Bell, Christopher McDonald, Sara Paxton, Kevin Hart, Brent Spiner, Jeffrey Tambor, Robert Joy, Reginal Hall, Pamela Anderson, Leslie Nielsen, Tracy Morgan and Marion Ross.

THE TRAILER:

Spider-Man, X-Men and the Fantastic Four will never be the same after this outrageously funny spoof of your favorite comic book movies!  Drake Bell (Drake & Josh) stars as a nerdy high school student bitten by a genetically-altered dragonfly.  He stumbles hilariously through the process of becoming a crime-fighter and as his new powers grow, so do the laughs.  Sara Paxton (Aquamarine) and Christopher McDonald (Spy Kids 2) costar as the clueless damsel in distress and the comically intense super villain, along with Pamela Anderson and Leslie Nielsen.  Going from superzero to superhero has never been this much fun!

For the week of Halloween 2008, I decided that there will be no horror movie marathon.  This week, I will watch the various comedy films that typically feature on the front of the DVD “from the guys who brought you SCARY MOVIE and the NAKED GUN”.

I pretty much know what I’m getting into with these films and know you have to have an open mind because although many scenes will have its funny moments, you can expect your share of really idiotic moments as well.

I know people who can just laugh and know what to expect with these films but some who have never seen these type of films and just feel the wasted their time watching it.  So, with that being said, enjoyment of this film depends on your take of these type of movies.

“SUPERHERO MOVIE” is a film that parodies the first “Spider-Man” film, “Fantastic Four”, “X-Men” and “Batman”.

The film revolves around Rick Riker, a nerdy high school teenager who loves his classmate but bullied quite a bit in his school.  Things go from bad at worse at a school trip when he accidentally spills a chemical which attracts animals to him and somehow he ends up being bit by a radioactive dragonfly.

Riker develops special powers and next thing you know, the Dragonfly is born.

Marion Ross and Leslie Nielsen play the aunt and uncle of Rick Riker.  In true Leslie Nielsen fashion, if you watched the “Naked Gun” films, you know what to expect for his role.  Marion Ross of “Happy Days” fame was quite interesting as the aunt who has a major flatulence problem and just can’t stop farting.

Tracy Morgan plays a Professor X type of role, trying to help Riker learn his new powers and show him the school of teens who have powers.  Pamela Anderson plays the role of Invisible Woman who has been caught messing around with Professor X by Mrs. Professor X.

One of the highlight scenes is when Riker and the girl of his dreams, Jill Johnson are about to share a kiss but his aunt Lucille (Marion Ross) sleeping right next to them leashes continuous farts that just sound so horrible.  Fart jokes can be funny and the manage to include a hilarious gassy scenes in which Jill who really wants to kiss Riker, uses her tampons to put up her nose to avoid smelling the fart. Fart jokes are gross but when done well, you can’t hep but laugh.

Of course, probably the coldest jokes are the ones on physicist Stephen Hawking.  The gags on his character featured getting his head accidentally stuck in a beehive and not able to get out of it because of his disability.  And of course, using his vocoder device to simulate Hawking screaming profanities. For a film to really make fun of his disability to get some cheap laughs is just very cold.

There are so many gags in this film with those type of gags, some quite funny and some that are just idiotic but I found this film more to the funny side fortunately.  But with jokes such as the Stephen Hawking (which there are numerous scenes with this character), I can see many finding it tasteless and some to find it so funny knowing it’s so wrong.

AUDIO & VIDEO:

Truthfully, I wasn’t paying too much attention towards the quality of the film and as for the audio, the film is strictly dialogue.  Not much need for special audio effects.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

The extended version features the alternate ending, deleted scenes, two featurettes and a theatrical trailer plus a commentary.  The regular version only features the alternate ending (which was so dumb, I’m glad they didn’t use it), deleted scenes and the theatrical trailer.

There are three versions of this film on DVD in the US.  The regular version which is only 74 minutes long and has only the alternate ending, deleted scenes and theatrical trailer, while the extended version which is 82 minutes long and has the additional commentary track and featurettes.  The third version is a Blockbuster exclusive which features additional deleted scenes.

So, far of the movies within this genre and created by the same creators of “SCARY MOVIE” and “NAKED GUN”, of the more recent films, “SUPERHERO MOVIE” was probably the funniest compared to the others. Again, this is comparing to the other related films by the same creators.

There is a lot of funny jokes throughout the film but there are also a good number of idiotic jokes as well.

I enjoyed the superhero film parodies on this film and although there are a few well-known talent who made cameos on this film, I’m just glad many of their segments were quite short.  In fact, I’m glad that the film was quite short.

In the end, I definitely didn’t find myself disliking it.  I suppose it’s because I enjoyed the superhero parodies on the film and I haven’t seen a film go so far to do a parody based on superhero films in this magnitude.

All in all, a fun film if you come watching with an open mind.

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