With its collection of geek-fever dream elements, including pirates, barbarian raiders, devils, Puritans, witches, swordsmen, and twisted sibling rivalries, "Solomon Kane" swings for the fences in an attempt to be a contemporary, epic swashbuckler. In mant regards, the film is successful: it is quick-paced, fun, and its hodge-podge of story elements is entertaining at the least. Cinematically, it is nicely put together, and its graphic novel/historical amalgam imagery is striking.
In the end, however, this overwrought piece of entertainment strikes out in important areas: it is fun, but slightly empty. Its story is too pulpy to be taken seriously, and its production, albeit sturdy, revels too much in disparate elements. Still, the film succeeds as fresh-minded throwback to the swords and sorcery epics of yesteryear. "Solomon Kane" offers forgettable, but enjoyable, spectacle.