Paramount+ series is based on the classic 1989 Sega arcade of same name.
Matthew Rhys - Gilius Thunderhead
Liam McIntyre - Ax Battler
Lisa Gilroy - Tyris Flare
Danny Pudi - Hampton Squib
Carl Tart - Chronos "Evil" Lait
SungWon Cho - The Narrator
Additional cast includes Eric Bauza, Heather Jane Campbell, Eugene Cordero, Dee Bradley Baker and Haley Joel Osment.
Episodes
1. The Legend of the Emerald Blade
2. Rideable Beasts
3. Tender Hamlet
4. Fly Like an Eagle
5. The Brothers Bad
6. Return to Wenisburg
7. The Cold Bard Truth
8. Into the Cowoods
9. Because We're Us
10. For Yuria
Summary
At some point in the past, Ax Battler, Gilius Thunderhead and Tyris Flare defeated Death Adder, but demon lord didn't stay dead for long.
Story kicks off with trio discussing how to defeat murderous bastard for good, and when Gilius suggests finding the legendary Emerald Blade, said to be the only thing that can destroy the Golden Axe, Tyris and Ax scoff at idea.
So drunken dwarf leaves tavern on rideable beast Chicken Leg, followed by ardent fan and anxious virgin Hampton Squib. The pair successfully obtain mythical weapon, which chooses Hampton to bestow its power.
The only problem is that he can only get it to work by accident.
Hint. Get angry or upset.
Just saying.
When they return to Yuria, Gilius is pissed that he's already been replaced by "Panther Man", sorry, Chronos "Evil" Lait (Golden Axe III).
Seemingly to prove a point, Gilius takes Hampton to take down Death Adder before Ax, Chronos and Tyris do.
Learning about the Blade and Hampton, Adder sends his most loyal henchmen the Bad Brothers on a simple mission.
But things on their dumb part predictably go tits up.
Amidst all that, expect monsters, thieves, camp skeletons, magic, Druda (Hampton's childhood bully in Wenisburg) and for some reason, a male version of Dora (based on 1992 arcade only sequel Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder).
Pain and vengeance
I understand why Mike McMahan tried to transfer the energy from Star Trek: Lower Decks, with goofy humour copying Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and The Princess Bride, but gamble didn't quite pay off.
Mixing mild language (such as shit, prick and asshole) with occasional gory violence begs the question of who this was aimed at.
Kids or adults?
Err.
However, about 3h 20 is still a pretty fun time, and fans of the games will smile at the following:
In E2, Tyris teases Ax by his name not making sense. He retorts " Sword is a superior weapon" and 'Sword Battler' would be an inferior name.
"Ax with an 'e' except if it's me."
(Laughs).
By transporting Gilius to the afterlife, E5 expertly switches to glorious 2D scrolling action, where minotaurs (introduced in Golden Axe II), comically kick his ass.
There are other in-jokes, but blue thief apparently 'enjoying' getting kicked up the ass was disturbing.
Death Adder takes a back seat until the final two episodes, but shit is worth waiting for.
Climax
Adder revives a God (Death Death), by saying "Rise from your grave."
Yeah, it's cheesy as hell and a different Sega IP, but c'mon guys - it's Altered FUCKING Beast.
Chicken Leg calls every character we've met, instigating a huge war.
Tyris maxes out dragon magic, forcing Adder to drop Axe. This allows Hampton to remove fragment of Blade from Axe (and Adder's control over the Gods). They tear snakes from his body and bury them with helmet in a pit.
One of the Gods declare they can smell the blood of the giants on Hampton, which considering his size, is amusingly ridiculous.
The Narrator states he has many more stories to tell, and I'd be happy to hear them.
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