It's not a very faithful adaptation of Robert E. Howard’s work, leaning too heavily into campiness, but it does have some entertainment value. "Red Sonja" (1985) functions as "Conan 3," following "Conan the Barbarian" (1982) and "Conan the Destroyer" (1984). Arnold Schwarzenegger appears as 'Kalidor' because rights issues prevented using the name ‘Conan,’ while the filmmakers still managed to incorporate Howard’s Hyborian setting, albeit in a flawed way. This film is easily the weakest of the three. If you found parts of "Conan the Destroyer" hard to tolerate, you’ll likely dislike “Red Sonja.” It initially shows promise, but around 23 minutes in, silliness emerges with Prince Tarn—a spoiled young boy who considers himself a king—and his portly assistant, Falkon. The sword and sorcery elements quickly devolve into outright absurdity. Robert E. Howard would have undoubtedly been disappointed by this frivolous treatment of his fantasy world. It’s odd that the film largely captures the look of the Hyborian Age, despite some obviously fake props, costumes, and effects. Overall, the locations, cast, costumes, and props are decent. The problem lies in the cartoonish tone; it feels like "Conan" for children, which is a shame considering the resources invested. This choice undermines what could have been a respectable film influenced by Howard’s writing. While “Conan the Barbarian” strayed from Howard's original material, it maintained a sense of seriousness, even though it wasn’t devoid of humor. Humor and lightness are natural parts of life, but they shouldn’t descend into campy silliness. "Red Sonja," however, is so ridiculous at times that it's hard to take seriously. That said, the film isn’t entirely without merit. When you’re in the right mood, “Red Sonja” can be enjoyable. It's not good, and requires a lighthearted perspective, but it offers some entertainment. The visuals are well-done; the Italian locations are beautiful. While Brigitte Nielsen doesn't precisely resemble Red Sonja from the comics—she more closely resembles "Red Mullet"— she’s visually appealing, and her sword fighting is impressive. Ennio Morricone’s score is also a plus, though not as exceptional as Basil Poledouris’ work on the first two “Conan” films. Even Prince Tarn and Falkon, despite being initially irritating characters, become somewhat likable as the story progresses. The narrative generally holds your attention, even with its occasional lapses into silliness. Sandahl Bergman is memorable as the villainous queen, but the filmmakers missed an opportunity by dressing her fully in clothing throughout the film. While Bergman’s face isn't conventionally pretty like Nielsen's, she possesses a stunning physique that surpasses Nielsen's. It would have been nice to see more of it with form-fitting attire, though she still looks good with dark hair and a striking mask. Ultimately, "Red Sonja" is inconsistent. It fails as an accurate depiction of Howard’s Hyborian world because the filmmakers prioritized kid-friendly humor over a gritty fantasy reality. However, the film generally looks and sounds good, features appealing performers, and can be charming if you're in the right mindset. I would rather watch “Kull the Conqueror” (1997); it also has its humorous moments, but is less childish and more closely based on Howard’s "By this Axe I Rule." Kevin Sorbo makes a good Kull, although he lacks the necessary brooding intensity. The movie runs for 1 hour and 29 minutes. GRADE: C/C- (but occasionally amuses to the level of B-/C+)

Source on TMDB