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The action is well executed and quite intense, in parts quite gory, especially for a PG-13 rated film (the PG-13 rating is not firm yet). The cinematography is suitably bleak, with a heavy palette of grays, subdued tones and lots of rain. Add to it some great locations, effectively eerie creatures, CG effects that never threaten to overpower, and you have a suitably sinister film with loads of atmosphere. In short, the production values are first-rate.

Much has been said of the script itself, and Producer Paul Berrow has made no secret why the film had to be an origin story to get made. Director Michael J. Bassett chose this passage from The Blue Flame of Vengeance as the basis for his script: "Aye. I led a rout of ungodly men, to my shame be it said, though the cause was a just one. In the sack of that town you name, many foul deeds were done under the cloak of the cause and my heart was sickened--oh, well--many a tide has flowed under the bridge since then, and I have drowned some red memories into the sea--".

I would be preaching to the Robert E. Howard choir by agreeing that one of the main strength’s of Kane is the lack of an origin story. A major component of his allure is that of the mysterious stranger who fights evil and disappears into the night, a la Clint Eastwood in so many spaghetti westerns. As I watched the movie I kept asking myself, Is this what Kane would do? And in most cases I had to say, no, it’s not. I could nit-pick additional liberties, like the fact the movie starts in 1600, bypassing several established tales in the Kane chronology, or an awkward bit about magical chains. But then we already know this is not Solomon Kane as Howard envisioned. It is a what if origin story designed to establish the character for the average filmgoer with the hope of spawning a franchise.

Seen in that perspective I will cut Mr. Bassett and Mr. Berrow some slack in the context that they deserve the chance to tackle the sequel. It’s no secret both men are fans of Howard and his characters. I think that has been amply displayed by the fact they are willing to put themselves on the intense Conan.com forums and address criticism from the core Howard fans. A lengthy chat with both Mr. Bassett and Mr. Berrow after the screening left me with the feeling that, with the obligatory origin film out of the way, they can get down to the serious business of making the Solomon Kane film the majority of us want to see. At the end of the day, regardless of any issues with the script, Bassett has proven he has what it takes to craft a compelling sword and sorcery film.

Of course, that depends on it finding a distributor and doing good box office. And if that happens, I hold out hope the next Kane movie will be the one the Howard fan in me can truly appreciate. As for the film-fan in me, this is a movie that easily holds up to repeated viewings.