It Was This 25%-Rated Iconic Fantasy Action That Made Me Fall In Love With Jason Momoa

There are a few fictional characters from the books that have managed to become popular and remain important to the world. Conan the Barbarian is one of them. This sword-and-sorcery hero was created by Robert E. Howard, and first appeared in 1932 in fantasy stories published in Weird Tales magazine.

Since then, there have been many books, comics, and movies based on the character, and one of the most popular movies was the one starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, released in 1982 and 1984. The movies usually follow Conan on heroic adventures filled with common fantasy elements like princesses, wizards, and more.

While there are many fans of the Conan movie starring the legendary Schwarzenegger, I have never seen it. My first time seeing Conan on the big screen was the 2011 movie starring Jason Momoa. And trust me when I say it was wow, even though it only has a 25% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Despite the mixed reception, one thing was undeniable: Jason Momoa's portrayal of the titular character, Conan, left a lasting impression on many viewers, not just me. Momoa's take on Conan brought a raw intensity to the screen. His version of the iconic barbarian warrior was less polished than Arnold Schwarzenegger's, and that was part of the charm.

Momoa's Conan was a fierce, unrelenting force of nature who wasn't afraid to show his vulnerability. And that's what gave the character the depth and authenticity he needed. The harsh realities of the world shaped Conan, but never fully defined him. He was more than a warrior: he was a man on a personal journey of revenge and redemption. And that was a much-needed take on Conan.

“I want a Conan movie that treats the character like he is in the books. He's not just some meathead that kills things. He's funny, he's incredibly smart and capable of speaking/reading/writing multiple languages, he's a master thief, an expert pirate, a top tier tactician, etc. I can respect Momoa's Conan attempt because he had at least tried to make the character have an intentional sense of humor now and then,” Redditor Geistwhite said.

We can argue a lot about the fact that the script wasn't as brilliant as it could have been, and the pacing of the story was forced, but one thing is clear: Jason Momoa was a blast making it all work.

Conan the Barbarian is available to stream on AppleTV+.