SAGA: Curse of the Shadow (a.k.a. The Shadow Cabal, Curse of the Dragon Slayer and Rise of the Shadow Warrior) is a fantasy adventure independent film made by Arrowstorm Entertainment. It tells the story of an Elf Bounty Hunter teaming-up with an Orc and a human to save the world from the awakening of the God of Undead.
This is a movie adaptation of the 2008 MMORTS game SAGA
, though most markets take the name out of the title. This applies to the US unfortunately due to Executive Meddling from distributor Phase 4 Films.
This film provides examples of:
- Action Girl: Nemyt the Elf bounty hunter.
- All There in the Manual: Done very strangely. Although a number of concepts are taken from the game, the plot makes even less sense if you know the game's (very minimalist Excuse Plot) lore.
- B-Movie: Albeit a very competent film with very good make-ups and script.
- Damsel in Distress: Nemyt while imprisoned by the Orcs, although Badass in Distress may also apply.
- Dirty Business: Keltus' job is to do the dirty work so that the Prophetess and her priestesses can keep their hands clean, which means they're still Good no matter what is done in their name and at their command. He doesn't see the contradiction in that until the Prophetess abandons him for the crime of being cursed.
- The Eyes Have It: Nemyt has, at the start, extremely vibrant; almost luminescent, blue eyes. The longer she fights the Curse, the more they fade.
- Fantastic Racism: The distrust between humans, Elves and Orcs come in play for the main characters to work together as a team.
- Fantasy Gun Control: Averted. Dwarves love the things.
- God of Evil: The God of the Undead.
- I Don't Like the Sound of That Place: Wargrave.
- I Have You Now, My Pretty: The Orcs are clear in their intentions to rape Nemyt while in captivity.
- Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Of all people, Kullimon. The Shadow Curse is unable to infect him.
- Mark of the Beast: The Shadow's Mark. Given to those who serve the Shadow willingly, and those cursed by its servants. The God of Light does something similar. Having the sun mark lets one No-Sell the God of Undeath's curse.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: The Shadow cultist who was supposed to collect the magic blood needed for the ritual (only available in special circumstances) was captured by Order forces before the start of the movie. They were only ever in danger of success because Keltus inexplicably gathered it himself; even Kullimon pointed out that it was worthless to anyone but the cultists and they should just leave it.
- Our Dwarves Are All the Same: The higher-tech steampunk variety, using a selection of explosives and firearms. If they didn't explicitly call the one who appears a Dwarf he'd be easily confused for a gnome.
- Our Elves Are Different: Elves are mentioned although only Nemyt is seen.
- Our Orcs Are Different: Several Orcs appear in the movie, mostly as villains except for Kullimon.
- Pervy Patdown: Happens to Nemyt whilst entering a city.
- Ragtag Bunch of Misfits: An Elf Bounty Hunter suffering from a curse, a Human Paladin with shaky faith, and a snarky Orc Warrior betrayed by his tribe.
- Token Heroic Orc: Quite literally with Kullimon.
- Wacky Wayside Tribe: While crossing a lake in a boat, Kullimon is menaced by Mermaids. They have no lines of dialogue, no impact on the plot, don't even really slow him down very much, and are never mentioned by anyone ever again. Beyond providing the movie with some shots of attractive women with fish tails (and then a mouthful of fangs when their intentions become clear) it's hard to say what they're for.
